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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.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 HMM - Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #6-Yantian-departure
published on 17 June 2020
See the world’s largest containership (24,000 TEU) departing Yantian with a world record number of TEU’s on board (19,621 TEU). Wishing you ‘fair wind and following seas’ HMM Algeciras, through to Suez (25th May) then beyond to Rotterdam (ETA 3rd June), Hamburg (7th June), Antwerp (11th June) & London Gateway (14th June).
Video Pilot Boat working close to shore, but not the best of weather.
published on 21 February 2022
Article Marine Pilots Events
by Frank Diegel - published on 5 July 2021
Article What is a Portable Pilot Unit (PPU)?
by TRENZ GmbH - published on 1 April 2024
Video Pilot Boat for sale: "Pelican", Liverpool
published on 17 February 2022
Video The Pilot Of Belfast Harbour - N Irish Coastal Scenery
published on 20 June 2022
What a great pleasure to meet these guys at the harbour - they could not have been more helpful and forthright about their work. At first glance, the glide of these orange powerboats up and down Belfast Lough seems an almost effortless task, but close up this is a very skilled trade and constant management of risk 24/7 in high and low seas, jumping from ship to boat to land taking safe control of the great volume of steel vessel coming in and out of this busy port. Though a hub of...
Video VLCC Collision & Propeller Fouling
published on 11 July 2020
Video Pilot boarding in bad weather (Japan)
published on 6 April 2021
Video Pilot on Board in Australia
published on 22 August 2022
