PILOTS Pilotage at the Outer Pilot Boarding Ground is compulsory only for vessels with a draft of 11m and above or for vessels that do not have the appropriate charts for the approaches to Fremantle. All other vessels should proceed to the Inner Pilot Boarding Ground. Deep Water Channel is a compulsory Pilotage Area. Pilotage is compulsory from the inner Pilot Boarding Ground for all non exempt vessels. Vessels entering or departing Gage Roads and not under pilotage are recommended to use the East Channel.