Suggested required reading for all mariners no matter where they work: on rivers, in open seas, in narrow passages or limited draft conditions. A good balance between theory and practical hands-on approach with excellent illustrated examples. Consists of three parts: 1) the ship's capabilities and its manoeuvring gear; 2) the forces which set the ship moving; 3) the ship as it manoeuvres (mooring, sailing in shallow waters, port manoeuvres, etc.).
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Article Saint-Michel – France's Le Havre Pilot Station with new Pilot Boat
by Baird Maritime - published on 23 February 2026
Article Study "Master (M. Eng.) Maritime Pilotage" in Germany
by Hochschule Wismar, University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design - published on 7 August 2024
Article Blackcomb Helicopters doing precision work
published on 12 November 2020
Video A day in the life of a pilot boat
published on 10 May 2020
Article Formosabulk Clement: ATSB published investigation report
published on 22 September 2023
In August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Formosabulk Clement diverted to Brisbane, Queensland for crew change, to be completed to/from a launch via the combination pilot ladder. At the time, Queensland was the easiest jurisdiction in Australia for ships to conduct crew change due to the State’s extensive quarantine arrangements for transporting and accommodating seafarers.
Video Pilotboarding by crane
published on 1 August 2020
Article Marking, Certification of Pilot Ladders
by Herman Broers - published on 5 January 2021
Article TRENZ SIRIUS: Improved Pilot Unit (PPU) from Germany
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 18 February 2025
Opinion One-off pilot error did not render port unsafe
by Tom Macey-Dare KC, Martin Dalby, and Joshua Thomson - published on 12 April 2023
In this charterparty dispute, the arbitral tribunal rejected the Owners’ claim for damages for breach of the safe port warranty in a time charterparty, after a laden bulk carrier grounded at the entrance to the port of Chaozhou, China, while under compulsory pilotage. It also held that the vessel was unseaworthy, in breach of Article III.1 of the Hague Rules, due to lack of proper charts, but found on the facts that this was not causative of the grounding.
