Bellmon bill to help Delaware River maritime pilots passes PA House

Rep. Anthony Bellmon May 7, 2026 | 4:32 PM

HARRISBURG, May 7 – Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation (H.B. 2426) introduced by state Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila., that would allow larger draft vessels to access the Delaware River.

Bellmon’s legislation would increase the maximum draft size from 27 feet to 29 feet.

“With the deepening of the Delaware River in 2021, the limit for a maximum draft of 27 is too restrictive and provides unnecessary burdens for river pilots,” Bellmon said. “The change that this bill makes would ensure that our pilots are able remain competitive and work with larger draft vessels that are now able to access the river.”

The Joint Pennsylvania and Delaware Apprentice Pilot Training Program is a rigorous, multi-year apprenticeship designed to train maritime pilots for navigating commercial vessels on the Delaware River, Bay and its tributaries. Apprentices must complete 500 or more trips over several years, pass the exam, and receive licensure from the state Navigation Commission.

Currently, Class Six pilots are only allowed to pilot a vessel with a maximum draft of 27 feet; yet the pilots have 500 to 800 trips under a licensed supervisor for a similar or larger size vessel.

H.B. 2426 now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.

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