A Career Built on the Fraser River with Capt. Gord Cooper
With more than 40 years on the water and over 20 as a Fraser River Pilot, Capt. Gord Cooper has built a career navigating one of Canada’s most challenging and dynamic waterways. From summer jobs on tugs in his teens to earning his pilot license in 2004, his journey is one that blends hands-on experience, formal training, and a deep understanding of the river’s currents, tides, and traffic.
In this Q&A, Capt. Cooper, now with Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA), shares what it takes to guide ships safely through the Fraser River, and the skills and traits needed to succeed in marine navigation that make this work both demanding and rewarding.
In this Q&A, Capt. Cooper, now with Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA), shares what it takes to guide ships safely through the Fraser River, and the skills and traits needed to succeed in marine navigation that make this work both demanding and rewarding.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Fraser River Pilot, Capt. Cooper onboard Ro/Ro Glovis Star alongside Annacis Auto Terminal, Berth 2.
I started working summers on the Fraser River with Westminster Tugs when I was 15 to 17, painting, cleaning, and doing maintenance on the tugs. After graduating high school, I tried a semester at Douglas College to pursue a career as a Physical Education teacher but realized it was not the right fit.
My family had owned Westminster Tugboats since 1919, though it was a rule that no one could work there without first gaining experience and sea time elsewhere. In 1989, I sailed as a deckhand on the 189-foot tug Ocean Wrestler from Antwerp, Belgium to Port Alberni for Pacific Towing.
My family had owned Westminster Tugboats since 1919, though it was a rule that no one could work there without first gaining experience and sea time elsewhere. In 1989, I sailed as a deckhand on the 189-foot tug Ocean Wrestler from Antwerp, Belgium to Port Alberni for Pacific Towing.
Unfortunately, at that time, work was inconsistent, so I moved between companies until the late great Peter Brown hired me at Union Tug and Barge, where I towed log barges along the BC coast. It was there where I learned the process of accruing sea time and experience to move up the ranks and possibly become a pilot. Under the guidance of Captains John Porter and Nick Malysh, I earned my Watchkeeping Mate’s ticket and Command Endorsement while studying at Pacific Marine Training Institute, now known as the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
The two most common routes to navigational certification I know are either starting at sea and progressing through experience, often called ‘coming up through the hawse pipe,’ or enrolling in a post-secondary program to fast-track the process. I took the longer route, building sea time through work before completing courses and exams to earn my certifications.
My river experience later brought me back to Westminster Tugboats as a river mate and eventually captain, where I handled deep-sea ships at Fraser Port, towed barges, and honed my fast-water boat-handling skills under the guidance of many experienced captains and river mates, particularly Chris Stradiotti.
In 2003, by chance, a river pilot exam was held which was a rare occurrence given the limited number of openings. With some encouragement from Captain Mike Armstrong, I wrote the exam, passed, and after a year-long wait began my apprenticeship in August 2004. By December, I earned my pilot license for Area 1 (Fraser River), officially starting my career as a pilot.
The two most common routes to navigational certification I know are either starting at sea and progressing through experience, often called ‘coming up through the hawse pipe,’ or enrolling in a post-secondary program to fast-track the process. I took the longer route, building sea time through work before completing courses and exams to earn my certifications.
My river experience later brought me back to Westminster Tugboats as a river mate and eventually captain, where I handled deep-sea ships at Fraser Port, towed barges, and honed my fast-water boat-handling skills under the guidance of many experienced captains and river mates, particularly Chris Stradiotti.
In 2003, by chance, a river pilot exam was held which was a rare occurrence given the limited number of openings. With some encouragement from Captain Mike Armstrong, I wrote the exam, passed, and after a year-long wait began my apprenticeship in August 2004. By December, I earned my pilot license for Area 1 (Fraser River), officially starting my career as a pilot.
Q: You’ve been a Fraser River Pilot for over 20 years. What’s kept you engaged in this work, and what makes the Fraser River such a unique place to operate?
It is hard to believe that it has been over 20 years as a pilot and more than 40 years on the water. What keeps me engaged is that handling a ship is never the same twice. Every assignment brings new challenges. Each day you are working with a different vessel, different conditions, and different situations.
People sometimes say, “You’re just going up and down the same 18 miles, doesn’t that get boring?” From the outside it might look repetitive, but in reality, it is 18 miles of narrow waters with traffic, current, shallows, and shifting weather that keep you sharp every time.
What also makes the Fraser River stand out is the way everyone on the water, especially tugs and ferries, works together to keep commerce moving. There is a real sense of shared purpose in keeping things safe and efficient in those muddy waters, and that teamwork is something I truly value.
People sometimes say, “You’re just going up and down the same 18 miles, doesn’t that get boring?” From the outside it might look repetitive, but in reality, it is 18 miles of narrow waters with traffic, current, shallows, and shifting weather that keep you sharp every time.
What also makes the Fraser River stand out is the way everyone on the water, especially tugs and ferries, works together to keep commerce moving. There is a real sense of shared purpose in keeping things safe and efficient in those muddy waters, and that teamwork is something I truly value.
Q: For people who aren’t familiar with pilotage, how would you explain what you do day-to-day?
Pilots take the navigational conduct of ships and guide them through local waters -- in this case, the Fraser River. Because most of these ships are foreign, their crews are often unfamiliar with the local areas in the various ports around the world, so it’s a Fraser River pilot’s job to make sure the vessels are navigated safely and efficiently by using our local knowledge of the river.
Q: What are the most important parts of a typical assignment?
Local knowledge is everything. Over time you learn the river’s complexities -- where the tricky spots are, how tides and currents behave, and how weather can change the conditions. That knowledge shapes the planning for each job. We review forecasts, tide levels, and current speeds, and arrange tug support when needed.
Clear communication with the ship’s crew is critical. From the moment you step on board, you set the tone with a professional but approachable introduction to the captain and officers, then go over the vessel’s particulars, performance, transit plan, and dock maneuver details.
The relationship with tug operators is equally important. Years of mutual trust and shared experience mean information flows freely, which helps us anticipate challenges and adapt quickly. That collaboration is what keeps transits and berthing operations safe and efficient.
Clear communication with the ship’s crew is critical. From the moment you step on board, you set the tone with a professional but approachable introduction to the captain and officers, then go over the vessel’s particulars, performance, transit plan, and dock maneuver details.
The relationship with tug operators is equally important. Years of mutual trust and shared experience mean information flows freely, which helps us anticipate challenges and adapt quickly. That collaboration is what keeps transits and berthing operations safe and efficient.
Q: Navigating the Fraser River sounds like a high-stakes job. What are some of the biggest challenges you deal with during a transit, and how do you manage them?
As I mentioned earlier, strong currents, especially during the spring freshet (the annual surge in river and stream water levels that occurs in spring when snow and ice melt), along with shallow areas and interactions with other traffic are some of the regular challenges we face. Most of this can be managed by reviewing tide and current data and coordinating with other traffic ahead of time.
The weather is the more unpredictable challenge. Strong winds or low visibility can make navigating a narrow, winding river very demanding. Combine that with high currents, shallow waters, and traffic, and the task becomes even more complex. Conditions can change quickly, so you have to stay alert and adapt. Experience helps, and clear communication with the crew and other vessels is key to managing these situations safely.
The weather is the more unpredictable challenge. Strong winds or low visibility can make navigating a narrow, winding river very demanding. Combine that with high currents, shallow waters, and traffic, and the task becomes even more complex. Conditions can change quickly, so you have to stay alert and adapt. Experience helps, and clear communication with the crew and other vessels is key to managing these situations safely.
Q: Fraser River Pilots operate on a rotating schedule, 12 days on and 16 days off. What’s it like balancing that kind of work rhythm, and what do you enjoy most about it?
On paper, the schedule looks great, and it really is, but it comes with its own challenges. During the 12 days on, you are effectively on call 24 hours a day. One day you might work at night, the next during the day, and then back to nights. There is not always a consistent rhythm, and it can disrupt your sleep pattern.
That said, there are strict rest requirements under the Canada Labour Code, so there are limits to how many hours we can work in a 24-hour period. For me, having never worked a typical 9-to-5 job, this schedule suits me well. The 16 days off give plenty of time to recover, reset your sleep schedule, and spend meaningful time with family, which I really value. Occasionally, time off can be interrupted to cover extra work if the on-duty pilots run into hours-of-work limits, because shipping never stops.
That said, there are strict rest requirements under the Canada Labour Code, so there are limits to how many hours we can work in a 24-hour period. For me, having never worked a typical 9-to-5 job, this schedule suits me well. The 16 days off give plenty of time to recover, reset your sleep schedule, and spend meaningful time with family, which I really value. Occasionally, time off can be interrupted to cover extra work if the on-duty pilots run into hours-of-work limits, because shipping never stops.
Q: For someone considering a career in marine navigation or pilotage, what advice would you give? Are there any key skills or traits you think are especially important in this line of work?
One of the great things about this industry is that there is not a single career path. Tugboats, ferries, deep-sea work, and Coast Guard can all be valuable steps. Whether you work your way up through experience or follow a more formal route, it comes down to the effort you are willing to put in. Make the most of opportunities when they come, and if they do not, find a way to create them.
Key traits include patience, adaptability, and strong decision-making. You need to stay calm under pressure, think ahead, and keep learning because conditions are always changing. Listening to others can reveal better solutions, and a strong work ethic is crucial, especially early on when you’re gaining experience.
Staying motivated and working hard to prove you belong is essential. The industry can be challenging, with time away from home, but for those who stick with it, the rewards are real.
Key traits include patience, adaptability, and strong decision-making. You need to stay calm under pressure, think ahead, and keep learning because conditions are always changing. Listening to others can reveal better solutions, and a strong work ethic is crucial, especially early on when you’re gaining experience.
Staying motivated and working hard to prove you belong is essential. The industry can be challenging, with time away from home, but for those who stick with it, the rewards are real.
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