Members of Puget Sound Pilots help protect the economy of Washington State by facilitating the shipment of more than $80 billion worth of cargo each year. Pilots help avoid costly delays by working around the clock to navigate cargo vessels, container ships, and tankers smoothly and safely through Puget Sound waterways.

In addition, the cruise industry, which contributes more than $1 billion a year to Washington's economy, utilizes the services of Puget Sound Pilots to safely navigate its ships through Puget Sound. Industry experts predict that cruise ships will pay more than 200 visits to the state in 2006, bringing 735,000 visitors. According to the International Council of Cruise Lines, Seattle is the nation's tenth busiest cruise port.