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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
Read more...
Video North Queensland Bulk Ports Pilots take on the virtual reality of the Shipping Simulator
published on 19 July 2021
Video TRENZ Pilot Plug - Startup Procedure
published on 5 July 2019
Article The challenges of remote pilotage simulated in Rauma
published on 7 October 2021
Article Be A San Francisco Bar Pilot: Pilot Trainee Training Program
published on 15 March 2022
Article ABP invests around £9 million in state-of-the-art pilot boat fleet
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 November 2020
Video Pilot Boat 68 Dardanelles
published on 7 October 2022
Video The life of a Deep Sea Pilot by Roger Francis
published on 15 November 2020
The fascinating tale told by Roger Francis about his life at sea and ultimately as a Deep Sea Pilot. The explanation in detail of the terrific responsibilities comes with tales of daring-do, near misses and other peoples' disasters. Roger's personal tale takes him from kiddy to cadet and from 3rd Mate to Master before he became a Deep Sea Pilot guiding shipping on the busiest shipping thoroughfare in the world - the Dover Straits. On top of this, there is love interest and action in war...
Video Pilot Boat and open day in Portsmouth (UK)
published on 23 June 2026
A video largely shot by my 10, 8 and 4 year old grandchildren depicting an open day at Portsmouth (UK) Commecial Port open day. We look briefly around the port, visit a Challenger (5) sailing yacht, a Pilot boat and a small tanker. The video includes a trip out of Portsmouth Harbour on the Pilot Boat to pick up my Son (a Harbour Pilot) from the grain ship he was taking out of the port.
Article Ships are manoeuvred in remote mode in Klaipeda Port
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 28 April 2020
Klaipeda is one among few seaports in Europe, where maritime pilots are able to carry out operations in remote mode. As it is attempted to avoid contact with other persons as much as possible during the quarantine, several trials have already been performed in the seaport. They revealed that such assistance for the vessels sailing in Klaipeda Port is effective and safe.
