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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.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 Harbor pilots disembarking
published on 21 January 2021
Video Frontal collision between two vessels on Welland Canal yesterday (Canada)
published on 12 July 2020
An investigation is underway following a collision between "Florence Spirit" and "Alanis" in the Welland Canal. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. Saturday near Port Robinson when the dry bulk cargo ship "Alanis", which was carrying windmill parts to Duluth, Minnesota, collided during a passing maneuver with the "Florence Spirit", which was carrying coal on its way to Quebec. Editors Note: According to the "Welland Tribune", the Florence Spirit was heading down the canal while the MV...
Video 16m Pilot Boat - Stainsby
published on 20 February 2021
Article Human Error in Pilotage Operations
published on 3 December 2024
Article Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 30 December 2019
Video What a ride: Coast Guard boat is surfing in the mouth of the Duluth Canal
published on 16 September 2020
Video Flying into the Graveyard of the Pacific: Ports Unknown with Columbia River Bar Pilot Michael Tolley
published on 15 June 2026
At the mouth of the Columbia River lies "The Graveyard of the Pacific"—the deadliest river bar crossing on earth. To get a massive cargo ship safely through these crushing waves, an elite Bar Pilot has to board a moving ship by climbing a rope ladder and get's hoisted off the ship by helicopter 10 miles off shore in the Pacific Ocean. In this episode of What do you Wanna Cook?: PORTS UNKNOWN, we get you as close to the action as humanly possible. We take you inside the cockpit for an...
Video A day in the life of a PLA Pilot (London): 20 August 2025
published on 9 December 2025
Video Dongara Marine Custom Boatbuilding Diversity
published on 1 June 2021
Compilation clip highlighting some of the diverse custom boats we have built recently: the 8.3 metre, outboard powered search and rescue RIB Cape Rose; the 9.8 metre, waterjet propelled work / lines boat Jetwave Nelson Point; the 19.2 metre Berkeley Class pilot boat Genesis; and the 26.5 metre commercial fishing boat / offshore service vessel / passenger charter boat Poppa G.
