NORTHEAST MARINE PILOTS
Local Knowledge. Professional Judgement. Coastal Stewardship.
24/7 DISPATCH
Pilot orders, changes, and cancellations by phone only: 401-847-9050
To place, revise, or cancel an order, call dispatch directly at 401-847-9050. Email and website messages may be used for general inquiries, but they are not accepted as pilot order requests, changes, or cancellations.
Welcome to Northeast Marine Pilots. NEMP provides regional pilot coordination and general information for vessels operating in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the designated waters of New York.
This website is intended to help vessel agents, masters, operators, yacht captains, managers, and owners locate information about pilot orders, boarding areas, regional requirements, dispatch contact information, and related operational resources.
Pilotage requirements may vary by vessel, route, jurisdiction, tonnage, flag, use, and operating status. Vessel owners, operators, masters, captains, managers, and agents remain responsible for determining and complying with applicable requirements.
YACHTS
Yacht captains, owners, managers, and agents should review pilotage requirements before entering, departing, shifting, or transiting through local waters.
The yacht page includes vessel-specific considerations, boarding information, dispatch contact details, and the yacht form.
VESSELS, WATERWAYS, AND LOCAL CONDITIONS
NEMP coordinates pilot services for a range of vessel types operating in regional waters, including commercial vessels, tankers, passenger vessels, bulk cargo vessels, RORO vessels, tugs and barges, yachts, and other visiting vessels.
Common operating areas include:
- Narragansett Bay
- Block Island Sound
- Long Island Sound
- Buzzards Bay & The Islands
- Offshore boarding areas
- Coastal approaches and harbor entrances in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the designated waters of New York
These waters may involve dense marine traffic, confined channels, strong tidal currents, variable weather, restricted visibility, seasonal vessel activity, and overlapping state and federal jurisdictions.
Local knowledge, professional judgment, and clear dispatch coordination are central to planning vessel movements in these areas.
THE ROLE OF NEMP
NEMP supports regional pilotage operations through dispatch coordination, boarding arrangements, scheduling communication, and general operational information.
NEMP’s role includes:
- Coordinating dispatch for state-licensed and federally licensed pilots
- Maintaining 24/7 dispatch coverage
- Coordinating pilot boarding locations and order timing
- Supporting communication among pilots, vessel agents, owners, operators, masters, captains, and bridge teams
- Providing general, non-binding information about regional pilotage practices and procedures
NEMP does not enforce pilotage laws, issue legal determinations, or determine whether pilotage requirements apply to a specific vessel or voyage.
For order placement, changes, or cancellations, contact dispatch by phone at 401-847-9050.
OPERATING WITHIN REGULATED JURISDICTIONS
Pilotage requirements may vary by vessel type, tonnage, draft, flag, use, route, and the specific waters transited. Requirements may also differ by jurisdiction and voyage segment, particularly when a transit involves more than one state or operating area.
Vessel owners, operators, masters, captains, managers, and agents are responsible for determining and complying with applicable state and federal pilotage requirements.
NEMP provides general operational information and dispatch coordination. NEMP does not enforce pilotage laws, issue legal determinations, or determine whether pilotage is required for a specific vessel or voyage.
For general information about pilotage requirements, review the compulsory pilotage information page.
PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
NEMP provides access to operational information commonly used when planning vessel movements, reviewing boarding locations, checking local conditions, reviewing pilotage requirements, or contacting dispatch.
Use the links below to locate resource pages and related information.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Information about placing, changing, or canceling pilot orders. Orders, changes, and cancellations must be handled by phone.
YACHT INFORMATION
Information for yacht captains, owners, managers, and agents reviewing pilotage considerations before a transit.
FOR PILOT ORDERS
Pilot orders, changes, and cancellations are handled by phone through dispatch. Call 401-847-9050.
Email and website messages are for general inquiries only and are not accepted as pilot order requests, changes, or cancellations.