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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.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...
Article Dardanelles: Turkish pilot falls from pilot ladder
by Frank Diegel - published on 8 March 2021
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.
Video Pilot boats & ship boarding in rough weather
published on 10 November 2022
We we’re out on sea trials with the two newly launched Interceptor 48 pilot boats when the Port of Cork pilot boat ‘Failte’ passed by to undertake a pilot transfer from an outbound ship. It was a nice opportunity to capture some cool video of the action as the boats ran alongside before the ship turned to create a lee for the pilot to disembark. Although the seas weren’t very big, it was blowing hard at the time with gusts of over 50kts recorded at Roches PT lighthouse as we passed.
Video Aberdeen Harbour - Meet Finn Froekjaer-Jensen, Pilot
published on 26 August 2020
Video Your vote can make it a real LEGO set
published on 18 February 2025
Video Nautik-Training auf der simulierten Brücke
published on 28 October 2020
Opinion New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 by NZMPA
by New Zealand Maritime Pilot's Association - published on 6 November 2020
New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 at NZMPA Conference in Dunedin, NZ. Distinct difference to suggestions in many other countries, is that we challenge operators who have the ladder suspended from the accommodation ladder (gangway) and not secured to the ship. SOLAS states that pilot ladder shall be secured to the ship, and securing strongpoints, shackles and ropes shall be as strong as the sideropes.
Video Pilot Boat SIABO, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
published on 9 February 2022
