Lawmakers examine service, needs of river pilots
Policy Committee joined by Pilots’ Association for roundtable, tour
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus September 8, 2026 | 4:34 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 8 – Keeping commerce and trade open 24/7 comes with its challenges and obstacles, including preserving domestic security as well as navigating waterways through challenging weather. The Pilots’ Association for the Bay & River Delaware are on call at all hours to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels along the Delaware, Schuylkill and Salem rivers as well as Delaware Bay.
“The Pilots’ Association helps keep us safe, and river pilots keep Pennsylvania open for business,” said state Rep. Mary Isaacson, who represents portions of Philadelphia and serves as the Policy Committee Vice Chair. “They do it all despite the job’s rigorous demands, which include obtaining years of training and valuable experience.”
State lawmakers met with the Pilots’ Association during a roundtable and tour along the Delaware River, seeing the operation firsthand.
“There’s no room for error for river pilots, navigating waterways during storms, icy conditions and dense fog,” said Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “Business never stops, and these workers deserve credit for keeping our bridges safe as they pilot massive container vessels.”
Among the legislation discussed during the roundtable, officials noted Rep. Anthony Bellmon’s H.B. 2426, which would increase the draft size of vessels to 29 feet – easing unnecessary restrictions on river pilots and keep them competitive.
“It’s easy to overlook the work of river pilots, because when the job is done correctly everything runs smoothly,” said Policy Committee Chairman and state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “However, traveling the Delaware River this afternoon, and seeing just one of the massive container vessels reveals just how vital their work can be. They keep us safe, and they keep goods headed to our communities.”
Founded in 1896, the organization is one of the oldest state pilot organizations in the nation and a world leader in technology, training and accountability. The organization consists of 67 pilots from Pennsylvania and Delaware. Pilots typically have extensive maritime experience and train for three or more years before being issued state and federal licenses. Following 9/11, pilots became an even more critical component in protecting and providing security at U.S. ports.
Massive vessels along the river can contain as many as 16,000 containers, headed for rail and truck transit. Some of the largest container vessels only have 2-3 feet of clearance on the river, so river pilots are tasked with captaining the ship at high tide to maintain safe passage.
Lawmakers participated in a roundtable with Pilots’ Association President Capt. David K. Cuff in the association’s south Philadelphia office before Cuff took lawmakers on a boat traveling along the Delaware River to view the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, which is located south of the Walt Whitman Bridge, and the Hanwha Philly Shipyard.