Becoming a Southeast Alaska Marine Pilot

ANNOUNCEMENT OF

SOUTHEAST ALASKA PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED. Applicants must hold a US Coast Guard issued license.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 entrance exam and must be received by February 3, 2025 to be eligible for consideration. Applicants must hold a US Coast Guard issued license. We encourage candidates to submit applications electronically to seapa.exam@gmail.com, using the SEAPA Application rev 7.17.24 form below.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, the SE Alaska Pilots’ Association (SEAPA) will administer to qualified applicants a remotely proctored Written Examination. SEAPA will then administer a simulator exam to those mariners that pass the written exam.

The Simulator Examination will be held during the week of March 31st – April 4th, at MITAGS West in Seattle, Washington.

Applicants who meet or exceed the cut score on both the Written Examination and the Simulator exams will be placed on a waiting list and be offered a position in the pilot training program when manning needs permit. Successful completion of the pilot training program is required to qualify for issuance of a State of Alaska Marine Pilot License.

The Written Examination will be administered via the Surpass test platform. Examinees will take the exam in a location of their choosing, as long as the environment meets the requirements set forth in the 2025 Remote Proctoring Guidelines, which will be provided to applicants once they have been approved to test. We have moved to a remotely proctored exam so mariners on ships with computer platforms that meet the remote proctoring guidelines will be able to take the test while onboard their vessel.

Address any initial questions you might have to seapa.exam@gmail.com.

Please do NOT contact the main SEAPA office with any questions regarding the exam.

Bookmark this page and check back often. We will be updating and adding more information, including an updated bibliography, and a full guide to the application and examination process.

SEAPA will not be offering, nor requiring, a site visit this exam cycle, but all applicants will receive the same full credit. Instead, we will be offering optional remote informational webinars. Check back often for updated webinar schedule and topic list.

Webinar Scheduled:
The SE Alaska Pilots’ Association (SEAPA) are hosting an informational webinar on November 7, 2024, at 0400 AKST (GMT -9). Topics include the entrance exam, training program and the life of a SEAPA Pilot.
For those that can’t make the event, you can still register and then receive a link to the recorded webinar after the event closes.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3mxx58

ANNOUNCEMENT OF

SOUTHEAST ALASKA PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Application and Physical Exam

Exam Information (More information will be published fall 2024)

SEAPA Training Program

ALASKA MARINE PILOTS STATUTES AND REGULATIONS

USCG INFORMATION