ABOUT US
What is a Docking Pilot?
Docking Pilots are highly trained, former tugboat Captains who have become licensed by the United States Coast Guard to board ships as they enter or leave port. The Docking Pilots job is to navigate the vessels safely to or from their berth using the assistance of tugboats.
Find Us in Charleston, South Carolina
Holy City Docking Pilots play a pivotal role in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina to both efficiently and safely keep commerce moving. We handle every kind of vessel that calls on the Port of Charleston, 365 days a year, at all hours, in all weather conditions.
Having worked on tugboats for many years before taking the role as a docking pilot gives a unique and essential understanding of each tugboats capabilities and limitations, making the Docking Pilots role in a ship’s arrival or departure from port extremely critical. Docking Pilots are also industry experts in ship handling and navigation, having undergone years of rigorous apprenticeship, training, and licensing before assuming the position.
Holy City Docking Pilots, LLC was formed in 2018 by Capt. Steven Kicklighter to provide Docking Pilot services to vessels in the Port of Charleston, SC. Capt. Kicklighter climbed the ranks from a deckhand to Captain at McAllister Towing, having worked in most every port on the East Coast and handled a variety of different tugboats.
Captain Steven Kicklighter
Capt. Steven Kicklighter is a contracted Docking Pilot for McAllister Towing of Charleston.
