The future Pilots are recruited among the French Merchant Marine officers holding a Captain’s degree. A solid sea-fearing experience is also required, each candidate having navigated at least 72 months in the Merchant Marine or Navy, of which 48 months are spent as deck officer on ocean-going vessels, short-sea traders, or on commercial fishing boats.

Pilot applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: The candidates for the pilotage service have to be at least 24 and not exceeding 35 years of age. They have to meet the standard physical conditions set for Captains of the Merchant Marine (decree of April 16, 1986), and additionally the sensory conditions that are more rigorous, set by the decree of April 8, 1991.

Every pilot station organizes, with the authorization of the Board of Maritime Commerce, the retirement or the recruitment of its pilots. The number of pilots employed in each area is based on the volume of ship traffic, thus proportionately to the quantity of vessels piloted.

The geographical areas of competence on which the candidates are examined, the diplomas and certificates required, and the prerequisite navigation time are outlined by the prefectural decree setting the local regulation of the pilot station. In special cases and following the judgment of a local commission, exemptions on age conditions can be made.

When recruitment is needed to fill a vacant pilot position, a public exam is organized by the local Administration of Maritime Commerce, its publication being posted at least two months before the exam date.

The examination board is chaired by an officer of the Navy and comprises in addition a Captain extensively familiar with the specific pilotage area of study, an inspector of maritime navigation and two Pilots of that station (typical case). The organization, steps and progression of the program for the pilot entrance exam are stated in the decree of September 26, 1990.

Once the new Pilot is initiated and begins his service, he must undergo a comprehensive training lasting several months by accompanying professional Pilots aboard all types of vessels, during the day as well as by night, in the designated piloting zone. This training represents about 500 piloting operations. After this formative period, the trainee pilot begins to progressively pilot vessels of larger size, weight and technical difficulty. This process usually takes about 5 years to fully prepare a pilot to be entirely capable of maneuvering all types of vessels.

During these five years, the educational instruction can be supplemented by using model vessels at the Port Revel Center or by Simulator-Based Training recognized as a potentially beneficial training medium for attaining a number of selected deck officer skills.
Most importantly, it is the Pilots themselves that must oversee the training, assessment and continue their on-going professional development amongst their colleagues throughout their career to help guarantee the safety of port infrastructure and the safety of vessels trading to French ports.