A Note from President Capt. John Carlier: Welcome Back to the California State Legislature
On behalf of the San Francisco Bar Pilots, I’m pleased to welcome back our California State Senators and Assemblymembers for the 2022 Legislative Session. Last year, our elected leaders at the state and federal levels worked to address some of the ongoing challenges faced by the maritime industry exacerbated by COVID-19, and to tackle the immense disruption to our supply chain.
In recognition of the dire financial situation at the state level, the legislature passed AB 807 (Grayson), a bill co-sponsored by the San Francisco Bar Pilots, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Western States Petroleum Association, and the Cruise Lines International Association. The law established new emergency surcharges that went into effect on October 1, 2021, to assist the Pilots in paying for deferred maintenance and operating expenses incurred during the pandemic. Despite the temporary support provided by AB 807, the fundamental issues with the Bar Pilots revenue structure continue and the cost pressures to the pilot system are becoming unsustainable. Since 2019, the SFBP has seen an unprecedented 28.6% decrease in revenue, and in 2021 the Pilot’s revenue hit a record low. We are heartened to work with our partners towards rate reform, however, any additional one-time expenses could pose an immediate risk to pilot operations.
At the Federal level, President Joe Biden signed into law a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that will give $17 billion to ports across the country – an opportunity to fund future infrastructure improvements at California’s ports. U.S. Representative John Garamendi (CA-3) introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 to support American exports, legislation which was endorsed by President Biden and passed the House in December. Governor Gavin Newsom also introduced short-term measures to unload the unprecedented logjam of containers to get goods to consumers by the holiday season.
As the Bar Pilots enter our 172nd year of growing the economy, protecting the environment, and keeping the San Francisco Bay secure, our association has several pending policy matters under consideration. The CA Board of Pilot Commissioners’ Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Pilotage Rate Setting Process is exploring strategies to improve the State’s rate-setting regulations, and is preparing to make formal recommendations in the coming weeks. We are also working with the California Air Resource Board to better understand the proposed Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations and reach a compliance solution that does not place an undue financial and logistical burden on our organization. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our elected state leaders and our industry partners to improve California’s maritime infrastructure and help keep California’s economy growing.
-President Capt. John Carlier
Thank you for your service, Secretary David S. Kim, California State Transportation Agency
The Bar Pilots would like to thank David S. Kim for his dedication and service as Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). During his two-and-a-half-year tenure leading CalSTA, Secretary Kim guided the creation of the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI), pushed freight, goods movement, and supply chain resiliency projects forward, and successfully lobbied Capitol Hill to ensure California’s policy priorities were incorporated into the infrastructure bill.
We look forward to working with acting Secretary Elissa Konove as the State moves forward with tackling our supply chain and maritime infrastructure challenges.
Meet a Bar Pilot: Captain Jesse Pullin
Captain Jesse Pullin, like many San Francisco Bar Pilots, fell in love with being on the water at a young age. Spending his summers as a child in Alaska, Jesse grew up on fishing boats. His father, who was also a mariner, spotted his son’s passion for the sea and encouraged him to attend Cal Maritime Academy. After graduating, Captain Pullin began working on cargo ships, and his maritime career took him all over the world. He enjoyed traveling and working at ports in European countries including Germany, Belgium, and England, but he always knew he wanted to return to his hometown in Sonoma. This led him to return to the Bay Area to enter the San Francisco Bar Pilots training program.
Now 3 years into his career with the San Francisco Bar Pilots, Captain Pullin serves on the San Francisco Bar Pilots Outreach Committee. As a member of the Outreach Committee, Captain Pullin works to increase diversity within the ranks of pilot associations across the country by educating both experienced and prospective mariners about career opportunities in the maritime industry. Having participated in student unions and organizations for women and students of color during his time at Cal Maritime, Captain Pullin understands firsthand the complex and structural barriers and opportunity gaps that exist within the maritime industry. He is passionate about providing education, mentorship, and career development opportunities for young people, as well as creative strategies for expanding access to leadership positions for women and people of color in maritime.
While the rigorous pilot entrance exam and intensive training pilot program were all challenging, Captain Pullin takes immense pride in the work he does keeping the San Francisco Bay secure, protecting the environment, and safely moving goods and people. He encourages any young person interested in seeking a rewarding career on the water and leading a life of adventure to consider attending a Maritime Academy and pursuing a career in the maritime industry.
Continuing Education: Cal Maritime Academy Simulator Training
In November, the Pilots attended continuing education courses at California State University Maritime Academy, participating in simulated piloting sessions in Cal Maritime’s Simulation Training Facility. In the first picture, Capt. Nyborg explains the pilots’ electronic navigation equipment to California Board of Pilot Commissioner Jennifer Schmid. In the second picture, Captains Nyborg, Kellerman, Fawcett and Stevens pilot in the full mission bridge simulator while attending a continuing education course at Cal Maritime.
Thank you, Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell
In December, we had the pleasure of welcoming Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, Chair of the Ports & Goods Movement Select Committee to the San Francisco Bar Pilots headquarters at Pier 9 to discuss regional specific issues caused by the supply chain crisis. Asm. O’Donnell also had the opportunity to see one of our pilots disembark a ship, witnessing firsthand the agility required to do this job. Thank you to the Assemblymember for your partnership and support of the Bar Pilots as critical supply chain partners of the State – we look forward to continuing to work together to support California’s economy. Pictured above is President Capt. John Carlier, Business Director Capt. Anne McIntyre, and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell.
Russ Nyborg: tugboat captain, Bar Pilot, and winemaker dies at 84
San Francisco Chronicle reporter Sam Whiting wrote about the adventurous life of Captain Russ Nyborg. As president of the San Francisco Bar Pilots, Capt. Nyborg was a “pilot’s pilot,” advocating for his fellow pilots as well as the organization’s critical role in the Bay. As a father, he inspired his children to continue his legacy: his son Capt. Einar Nyborg is also a Bar Pilot, his daughter Tara Larwood attended Cal Maritime and had a successful career as an deck officer on board commercial ships, and all three of his children continue his winemaking tradition, producing a few thousand cases of Whaler Vineyard Flagship Zinfandel each year. Read the full feature in the Chronicle.
