The JPS Team

Jacobsen's Pilots are the best in their field.

Simply stated, Jacobsen’s Pilots are the top of their field. By tracking Captains for years and recruiting the best in the marine industry, Jacobsen Pilot Service (JPS) maintains the most stringent hiring requirements in the US.

After coming on board, JPS Pilots go through a rigorous three-year training program, completing between 2,500 and 3,000 jobs, all of which are supervised and critiqued by senior Pilots. The pressure of observations prepares them well for the highly skilled maneuvers they will make on a daily basis as they take over for Captains, who are unfamiliar with the unique hazards and local conditions of the Port of Long Beach.

Each and every JPS employee is carefully selected and trained. Every boat operator and dispatcher has extensive sea experience before being hired—whether coming from the fishing industry, life guards, or off-shore supply boats.

JPS is unique in that its dispatchers are also boat operators, rotating from the dispatch watch to boat operations watch on a regular basis. This method ensures that a professional mariner speaks to ship’s captain over the phone or VHF radio, making Vessel Traffic recommendations to vessels calling the Pilot Station.

Whether in the office or in the field, JPS’ flexible professionals are able to do many jobs. Even JPS’ maintenance workers wear many hats—as mechanics for both boats and cars, as drivers, and as maintenance generalists—keeping operations running smoothly at all times.

"We operate a critical business that has a lot at stake and, as such, teamwork is essential. We rely on each other to provide consistent, safe, and reliable operations. We strive to have the most effective and customer-focused Pilotage team in the world."

Our Corporate Team

Tom Jacobsen, President and CEO

Captain Thomas A. Jacobsen has more than 40 years of experience in the maritime industry. As the third-generation President of Jacobsen Pilot Service, Inc., he exclusively serves the Port of Long Beach, as well as all of the San Pedro Bay area and the Seal Beach Naval Base.

At age 19, Jacobsen obtained his first U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) license to operate the Long Beach Pilot Boat. He then graduated the California Maritime Academy with USCG Unlimited Third Mates License and a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Industrial Technology. Five years later, after working on a variety of ocean going ships, he achieved his USCG Unlimited Master Mariners License and his Unlimited First Class Pilotage Endorsement for Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim Bay. After completing the Pilot Training program he transitioned into management.

Under Thomas A. Jacobsen’s leadership, Jacobsen Pilot Service (JPS) became the first and only ISO 9001 certified piloting service in the United States—a quality management system and customer service distinction. JPS has been instrumental in developing and implementing state-of-the-art technology routinely used in daily operations, such as: shore based radars, highly accurate range lights, and high precision carry aboard Differential Global Positioning System. Jacobsen is also instrumentally involved in the local Vessel Traffic System, a unique partnership between private, non-profit, city government, and federal government.

Active in several organizations, Jacobsen has acted as past president and chairman of the Marine Exchange Los Angeles and Long Beach, and continues to serve on the board. He is also a member of: the Propeller Club; the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce; the FuturePorts Association; the Long Beach Pilot Advisory Committee; and Vistage, an international organization of CEOs.

Captain Mark Coynes, VP

Captain Mark Coynes is Vice President of Jacobsen Pilot Service, where he became a pilot in 2001.

Captain Coynes received a B.S. degree, with honors, in Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York in 1983. Upon graduating, he started serving on his deck license. After a short time in the fishing industry, based in Southern California, he began a career as a Deck Officer for a US Flag Tanker Company, before moving on to become a Master on Coastwise, Inter-coastal, and Foreign Trade Routes. In addition, Captain Coynes served as a shore side consultant for a major oil company and law offices.

Captain Coynes currently holds an Unlimited Master License upon Oceans and First Class Pilotage for Los Angeles/Long Beach and Anaheim Bay.

Captain Coynes was born in Santa Monica, California and raised with a passion for the ocean, including his hobbies: fishing, diving, and boating.

Captain Simon Cail, Operations Manager

Captain Simon Cail is the Operations Manager of Jacobsen Pilot Service, where he began piloting in 2007.

Captain Cail graduated from the California Maritime Academy in 1992 with a degree in Marine Transportation. After the Academy he shipped out with Chevron on U.S. crude and product tankers until becoming a Mooring Master in EL Segundo. During that time he became qualified, and worked as, a Lightering Master in the Pacific Lightering Area. He also operated tugs in San Diego Bay providing construction and ship assist services. Captain Cail has held positions on the Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee and is currently the alternate for Jacobsen Pilot Service.

Simon grew up around boats in San Francisco Bay Area. As a child he sailed with his family from the West Coast to England and later made the return trip as teenager. He enjoys flying small airplanes and is a private instrument rated pilot.

Captain Cail holds an Unlimited Master License with First Class Pilotage in Los Angeles-Long Beach, Anaheim Bay, Port Everglades and El Segundo.