The first volume of Pilots concentrated on the stories of American and British schooners. Volume 2 enters what for many will be a less familiar world... that of the remarkable pilot brigs and small undecked craft. Schooners range from the Hiates of Portugal to the beautiful station boats of the North Sea ports of Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The development of the schooners themselves into such highly sophisticated craft is traced from regional predecessors. Volume 2 of Pilots is not just about boats — the sailors also have their role. The book follows highly difficult manoeuvres under sail, dangerous transfers at sea, the routine of everyday life, and the perils of heavy weather including ships wrecked and lives saved. All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
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Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!
by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020
Video IHMA Congress 2020 - Going Virtual!
published on 20 August 2020
Video Interview with a Bar Pilot 2014 (Mississippi, USA)
published on 29 October 2020
Video Senior Pilot Captain Ertan Ozgur performing berthing maneuvering of Wagenborg co ship MV LAGANBORG
published on 22 November 2023
SENIOR PILOT CAPTAIN ERTAN OZGUR performing berthing maneuvering of Wagenborg co ship MV LAGANBORG during strong current. She has bowthruster, right handed pitch propeller and becker flap rudder. She has asked to come alongside from her portside. She will be using 1 tugboat. Time lapse. Gopro Max. @captertanozgur