A life of adventure
A pilot’s pay is better than a captain’s, and because a pilot doesn’t have to go to sea, he can spend more time at home. That is why many captains have their sights set on the job.
However, the pilot’s exam is only held once every two years. The entry requirements are high, and the test is difficult. The competition consists of experienced captains, so it is not easy to shine out. There are currently 87 maritime pilots in Taiwan, enough to meet the demand of its ports. That means that even if you pass the test, you won’t necessarily find a position right away.
Moreover, since the hydrology and geography of each port is different, the pilot exam is localized and examinees have to choose a particular one. If they pass, they are only licensed for that individual port.
There is another reason for the localized exams: The payment system for pilots is very unique in that it is averaged across all of the pilots of the port. If the exam weren’t localized, everyone would choose the largest ports. Not only would that lower everyone’s income, it would also leave the smaller ports without pilots.
Also, each port’s pilot’s income is calculated according to the total cargo volume of the ships that have come in. For the most part, it is calculated at NT$1 for every ton the ship carries, so a 60,000-ton cargo ship would bring in NT$60,000 in pilot fees.
In recent years, the average volume of traffic at Taiwan’s ports has dropped, and that has affected the pilots’ income. The average monthly salary for the 16 pilots at Keelung Port, for example, works out to NT$200–300,000 after pooling. However, this is still far more than the average person’s salary.
Those interested in becoming maritime pilots are recommended to start as ordinary crew members, whose salary is on average NT$50–60,000 a month. The pay is good, and on top of that you can see the world.
“Life in the city is tough, and you hardly ever get to see a shooting star. At sea, you can see them every night—sometimes so many that you lose count,” says Zheng, encouraging young people to think out of the box and live a more adventurous life.
The maritime pilot’s job is an essential part of the world shipping system, and any mistake that led to a vessel being delayed could have ripple effects across the whole industry. Fang says, “Every job we get is a challenge that demands our complete attention. It’s hard work, but once the job is over and the captain shakes our hand and says thanks, we have a great sense of accomplishment.”
No matter how dark the night, or how strong the wind, a veteran maritime pilot is at the port, ready to take on whatever challenge may come.