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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.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 Pilot boarding MV ARKLOW MARSH in Spain (San Ciprian)
published on 4 September 2022
Video The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine | What's Going on With Shipping?
published on 1 June 2022
The Maritime Blockade of Ukraine What's Going on With Shipping? April 22, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University - discusses the ongoing maritime blockade of Ukraine. He assesses some recent commentary and analysis on the naval operation, including the sinking of Moskva, and the commercial implications of the war in the Black Sea. #Ukraine #Russia #BlackSea #Moskva #Blockade #trade #commerce #logistics #supplychain...
Opinion Sea Trials in Stroms at the Entrance to Cork Habour
by Safehaven Marine - published on 3 March 2020
The entrance to Cork Harbour situated on the South coast of Ireland can produce some pretty extreme sea states during the winter storm months. There are two main factors that influence the sea state at the entrance, the first being the ebbing tide, the second being shoaling waters over the Harbour Rock, this is situated at the entrance to the Harbour off Roches Point lighthouse, right in the middle between the Western and Eastern channel entrances.
Opinion Pilots are not Advisors to Masters
by Karolina Cirjak, Consultant Master Mariner at KC Maritime Consultancy Ltd. - published on 30 November 2024
This article was first published back in February 2022: According to the International Group of P & I Clubs’ “Report on P&I claims involving vessels under pilotage 1999-2019”, over the last twenty years, there were 1,046 incidents in which pilot error either caused or contributed to those events.
Article Kiel Canal, Germany : Freighter rams Kiel lock gate on Sun 14th Mar 2021
by Frank Diegel - published on 14 March 2021
Article Safer shipping over ice
by Drift + Noise GmbH - published on 16 October 2019
Video Risk Involved When Preparing Combination Ladder
published on 9 September 2020
Video 20m Pilot Boat "Raan" from Belgium
published on 10 October 2025
