Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
To Join the Career of Ship Pilot, the Candidate Must Meet Rigorous Requirements and Be Approved in a Highly Technical Selective Process Without Public Link, According to Norm NORMAM-311
The NORMAM-311/DPC, the official norm of the Brazilian Navy, rigorously details how the selection process for ship pilots works, a professional responsible for the safe navigation of vessels in complex navigation areas and highly valued in the port sector.
With salaries that can exceed R$ 300,000 per month, the career requires technical training, physical preparation, and approval in a selection process divided into four stages. Watch the following video from inside the ship’s bridge while the maneuver is being executed.
Elite Profession Requires Graduation, Nautical Qualification, and Physical Assessment
According to the norm, entry into the career occurs exclusively through a selection process for the category of Trainee Pilot (PSCPP), announced by public notice in the Official Gazette of the Union.
-
Take a course at Instituto Federal: IFSULDEMINAS opens 4,000 spots for free 100% online training, with up to 240 hours of duration, offering training in combating endemics and first aid for those who have completed high school.
-
Federal Institute offers more than 1,800 free technical course vacancies in Logistics, Electrotechnics, Mechanics, Nursing, Construction, and also options for higher education; see how to enroll and become a student at IFPE.
-
More than 200 free and fully online courses with certificates are open for registration for people from all over Brazil, in areas such as technology, programming, management, and languages, and can be secured without fees, without a selection process, and only with a CPF and email until the end of June.
-
Take a free technical course and earn R$ 300 per month: there are 60 open slots in free technical courses to study Electrotechnics or Production Planning and Control (PPC) with support from SENAI-MS and the Bataguassu City Hall.
To apply, the candidate must be Brazilian, over 18 years old, hold a diploma of higher education recognized by the MEC, and be qualified as a seafarer or, at a minimum, a recreational captain, a category provided in NORMAM-211 for recreational personnel with advanced nautical training.
Additionally, the candidate cannot be retired due to disability, must be up to date with military and electoral obligations, have a CPF, an official photo ID, and pay the application fee. All expenses related to participation in the selection process and the subsequent travel to the Pilotage Zone (ZP) are the candidate’s responsibility.
Ship Pilot: Selection Includes Written Test, Health Exams, and Demanding Physical Tests
The selection process includes a written test (with questions in Portuguese and English), document submission, psycho-physical inspection, and physical fitness testing, in addition to a qualifications test and a practical-oral test.
The medical stage is conducted by Navy Boards and requires examinations such as electroencephalogram, ergometric tests, complete blood counts, audiometry, wide-window toxicological exams, among others.
To proceed, the candidate must be clinically fit and also demonstrate satisfactory physical performance in pull-ups, swimming 50 meters in up to 1 minute and 30 seconds, and floating for 20 minutes. Failure to meet any requirement results in elimination.
Oral Exam and Practical Qualification Conclude the Selection Process
The last stage of the examination is the practical-oral test, preferably conducted in simulators at CIAGA, in Rio de Janeiro, and mandatory conducted in English. This stage assesses knowledge applied to ship maneuvering in restricted waters.
Upon approval, the candidate receives the Certification of Qualification as Trainee Pilot and begins an onboard qualification period, supervised by experienced pilots.
At the end of the process, candidates are ranked by final grades and assigned to pilotage zones according to the vacancies in the announcement. Zone changes are not allowed. A pregnant candidate may participate in the process conditionally, with an extended period for medical examinations and physical tests after childbirth.
Rules Established by the Navy Ensure Technical Excellence in Pilotage
The norm also specifies that the role of pilot is neither a public position nor a state job. Pilots are autonomous professionals who provide services regulated by the Navy in the public interest, especially to prevent environmental and operational accidents in port areas.
In practice, they operate aboard commercial vessels, issuing technical orders directly to the captains and tugboats, coordinating maneuvers, and ensuring safety in difficult navigation areas. Therefore, technical mastery and accumulated experience are valued, which justifies the high monthly earnings of the profession.
The Last Article Addressed Revision of the Norm by the Navy That May Change How the Selection Process for Ship Pilot Works
In a previous publication, we reported the update of NORMAM-311/DPC, which provides for a review of the syllabus and bibliography required in the selection process. The change has been interpreted by experts as a sign of a possible new public notice soon, although it has not been officially confirmed by the Directorate of Ports and Coasts.
The information was disclosed by the Brazilian Navy in its official norm NORMAM-311/DPC, a document that establishes all the requirements, phases, and criteria of the selection process for the role of pilot. The text is a mandatory reference for those who wish to begin preparation and compete for one of the most sought-after positions in the Brazilian maritime sector.
-
-
2 people reacted to this.