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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
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Video The Maryland Pilots between 1950-1965 (a journey through time)
published on 26 March 2020
The Maryland Pilots have guided ships to and from Baltimore since the 1700's. They have been chartered as an organization since 1852. This is an edited except from films about the Pilots shot between 1950-1965 for the Port that Built a City and State. The original films are in the archives of the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Video Training of the Elbe pilots - documentary (in german)
published on 6 November 2020
Die Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe ist ein geschlossener Kreis, der sich nicht gern in die Karten schauen lässt. Wer dort Mitglied werden und bis zu 400 Meter lange Containerpötte in den Hamburger Hafen steuern möchte, muss hohe Anforderungen erfüllen. Bewerber müssen mehrere Jahre lang zur See gefahren sein, um ausreichend Fahrpraxis zu haben. Aber es gibt immer weniger deutsche Seeleute, weil die Reeder billigere Kräfte aus dem Ausland bevorzugen. Dadurch wird es zunehmend schwierig,...
Video Pilots disembarking Harmony of the Seas
published on 30 April 2025
Article USCG Safety Alert on Handhold Stanchions
published on 14 February 2023
Article Innovez One to digitalise and optimise port services in Brunei Darussalam
published on 19 August 2022
Article MAERSK takes action against non-compliant trapdoor arrangements
by Frank Diegel - published on 3 March 2021
Article Brendan O’Shea named deputy director of American Pilots’ Association
published on 31 August 2022
Video FPSO TRINITY SPIRIT sank after explosion off Nigeria
published on 3 February 2022
