Any vessel over 35 metres which is proceeding within a pilotage area in Tasmania must either carry a licenced marine pilot or be under the command of a master who holds a pilotage exemption certificate for the area. This requirement applies to both commercial and recreational vessels.

Pilotage services for Tasmanian pilotage areas are managed by Tasports Pty Ltd.

Pilotage areas are defined in the Marine and Safety (Pilotage and Navigation) Regulations 2007. They include the following ports:

Port of Burnie	Port of Naracoopa
Port of Coles Bay	Port of Port Arthur
Port of Devonport	Port of Port Davey
Port of Grassy	Port of Port Latta
Port of Hobart	Port of Spring Bay
Port of Lady Barron	Port of Stanley
Port of Launceston	Port of Strahan

Marine pilots are licenced by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) under the Marine and Safety Authority Act 1997.

MAST has an agreement with Tasports for the management of vessels and pilotage services within their waterways. Under this agreement pilots are empowered as authorised persons under the Act for the direction and control of shipping.

As an authorised person a marine pilot is also empowered to examine a candidate for the issue of a pilotage exemption certificate which permits the holder to command a vessel over 35 metres within designated areas and under specified conditions. Applicants for a pilotage exemption certificate should contact Tasports at www.tasports.com.au.

Vessels proceeding under pilotage show the International Code flag ‘H’ which is a rectangular flag divided vertically into red and white halves. Vessels proceeding with a pilot exempt master onboard fly a plain white flag. A vessel not under pilotage must give way to a vessel under pilotage.