This department has the following tasks:

1.     receive piloting applications and analyze and correctly record the information (data).
2.     communicate with all water traffic and supply continuous information for a safe voyage.

This department has 7 employees who are located in a separate area and keep telephone and radio contact with all shipping traffic on the Surinamese rivers 24 hours a day. This department may be characterized as the heart (engine) of the MAS because of the fact that all information necessary for realizing the end product, the piloting of vessels, is received via this department. This department maintains contact with the shipping companies/agents established in Suriname and the other departments involved in the realization of the end product.

Planning

A draft planning of the vessels to be piloted before the coming tide (Paramaribo & Nickerie) is drafted 24 hours a day. This draft planning is then presented to the Manager Maritime Operations for approval. If the Manager Maritime Operations has granted approval, the pilots are notified of their duties. It may be noted that the pilot may also make a change with regard to the vessel to be piloted. If the planning is fully approved, the Fleet & Maintenance Department is notified of the time at which the pilot boat should depart and the number of vessels to be piloted. The agent(s) is (are) notified of the time at which the piloting commences.

Activities

All information obtained with regard to the state of the Waterway Signposting furnishings and information on incoming and outbound vessels is recorded.
In calamities, the competent authorities are notified. This department registers the routes of the vessels restricted to the waterway that navigate the Surinamese rivers as well as the times of departure, mooring and passing of the lightship buoy.