Supporting California’s economy and safeguarding its natural resources
Since its founding in 1850, the Board of Pilot Commissioners (BOPC) for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun has supported California’s economy and safeguarded thousands of miles of coastline through its licensing, training, and regulatory activities.
Each year, BOPC-licensed pilots safely guide ships carrying thousands of passengers and billions of dollars of cargo through some of the most challenging waterways in North America.
As the BOPC approaches its bicentennial, it continues to shape California’s future with industry-leading standards, highlighted by the development of new pilot boats that meet the nation’s strictest harbor craft emission requirements.
Read our Mission Statement.
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA SINCE 1850
Upcoming Board and Committee Meetings
If you would like to receive copies of our meeting agendas, please complete the form provided here.
Public Participation at Board and Committee Meetings
Note: Meeting links are added to the BOPC homepage (to the right) at least 10 days prior to the meetings. Dates provided earlier than 10 days prior to the meeting are tentative and will be subject to change.
November 2025
- Pilot Evaluation (PEC) Meeting: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7:30 a.m.
- Board Meeting: Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
December 2025
- Pilot Evaluation (PEC) Meeting: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 7:30 a.m.
- Board Meeting: Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Pilots at Work: Watch a vessel make its way upriver to the Port of Stockton and dock at sunset
A beautiful view from the Chem Sceptrum, a chemical and oil products tanker, as it makes its way upriver to the Port of Stockton and docks at sunset. Thanks to all involved, especially the San Francisco Bar Pilots, for sharing this fantastic video.
The Board of Pilot Commissioners oversees the work of the pilots (Board licensees), who guide ships not only to the seven Bay Area ports but also far inland along California’s waterways to the Ports of Stockton and West Sacramento.
Watch a timelapse of a vessel journeying upriver to the Port of Stockton.
2025 Board Meeting Calendar
Updated: March 27, 2025
The Board’s 2025 Meeting Calendar is also available for download as a PDF.
| 2025 Board Meeting Calendar |
|---|
| Thursday, January 23, 2025 |
| Thursday, February 27, 2025 |
| Thursday, March 27, 2025 |
| Thursday, April 24, 2025 |
| Meeting Rescheduled to Thursday, May 15, 2025 (was May 22, 2025) |
| Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| Thursday, August 28, 2025 |
| Thursday, September 25, 2025 |
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
| Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
| Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Pilotage Rate Setting Process
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
45-Day Notice Published November 21, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun (Board) proposes to adopt regulations related to the pilotage rate setting process, after considering all comments, objections, and recommendations regarding the proposed action received during the public comment period, which closes on January 5, 2026.
The Board proposes to amend and adopt the following sections of the California Code of Regulations, Title 7, Harbors and Navigation, Division 2, State Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun:
- Amend: § 236. Rate Hearing Procedures.
- Adopt: § 236.5. Adoption and Publication of Pilotage Rates.
- Adopt: § 236.6. Duties of the Executive Director.
- Adopt: § 236.7. Ex Parte Communications.
- Adopt: § 236.8. Objections to Standing.
- Adopt: § 236.9. Hearing Initiated by Board Action.
More information on this proposed rulemaking is available from the following documents:
Our History
Thomas Almond Ayres’ painting The Pilot Boat off the Golden Gate (c. 1855) captures a significant moment in California history and the history of the Board of Pilot Commissioners (BOPC).
Painted near the end of the Gold Rush, just five years after the BOPC was founded, the artwork beautifully illustrates the variety of ship types sailing on the waters of the San Francisco Bay in the mid-nineteenth century. The scene depicts both sailing vessels and an early steam-powered ship. In the foreground is a piloting schooner, similar to the ones that sailed the Bay until 1973. To the left, a clipper ship is depicted entering the Bay, with its lower sails already stowed. The painting captures the bustling maritime activity and the transition of ship technologies during this exciting period in California’s history.
Learn more about the BOPC’s rich history and how piloting has evolved over the past 174 years here.
