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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
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Article UKMPA announced the launch of a major rebranding
published on 6 February 2021
The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) today announced the launch of a major rebranding following the UK’s recent departure from the European Union. The timely changes from a heraldic collection of flags to a modern visual image that more properly reflects an association that is proactive, inclusive and dynamic whilst at the same time maintaining its historical context.
Video AIS track grounding of Shahraz and Samutra Sakhdil in Singapore Strait - May 10 2020
published on 9 September 2020
Grounding container vessel Shahraz and MV Samudra Sakti in Singapore Strait May 10 2020
What happened?
MV "Shahraz" and MV "Samudra Sakti I" had run aground to the shallow Batu Berhanti in the Indonesian territorial waters within 6 minutes, which is surveyed with minimum water depths of 8.3 m in the northern part and up to 0.5 m in the southern part . It is located south of TSS Singapore Strait’s eastbound traffic lane.
A chain of events which must be described as extra ordinary rarity....
Article Hamburg Pilot 3 – New all-weather pilot boat to serve Port of Hamburg
by Baird Maritime - published on 19 November 2025
Video Swedish Royal Pilotage Steamship S/S Orion
published on 19 October 2021
Article Metal Shark Announces New 55-Foot Pilot Boat Now Under Construction
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 April 2020
Shipbuilder Metal Shark is building a welded aluminum 55’ x 17’ pilot boat for the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association in Mississippi.
Designed in-house, the new 55 Defiant Pilot being built for Pascagoula Pilots represents the latest evolution in Metal Shark’s pilot boat lineup. The distinctive vessel incorporates the“faceted hull” design initially developed by Metal Shark for the US Navy 40 PB program, and features an enhanced version of Metal Shark’s signature “pillarless glass” in a two-tiered, reverse-raked arrangement.
Article BW guide to Pilot Ladder compliance
by www.bw-group.com - published on 14 October 2021
Article Helmsman and pilots were operating with different goals
published on 22 April 2025
Article NTSB investigation: Contact of tow with bridge pier linked to pilot’s ineffective actions
published on 2 March 2021
Article Pilot Profiles Webinar by AMPI
by Australasian Marine Pilots Institute - published on 31 October 2021
