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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Video DUST2025, leaving the harbour of Las Palmas
published on 9 February 2026
Most harbours require a pilot taking control of the bridge when entering or leaving their harbour, since currents, shoals and traffic maybe tricky. The busy harbour of Las Palmas is no exception to this rule and in this clip you see how these pilots are on standby day and night to safely accompany incoming and outbound ships. Now that the pilot has secured our safe exit from the harbour we are on our own again and ready to head South towards our first station! See: https://www.nioz.nl/en/...
Video Hvasser Pilot Station, Norway
published on 16 November 2020
Video Port Revel Ship Handling in France | by National Geographic
published on 27 September 2020
They look like toy boats, but they serve a serious purpose. An outsider at this facility near Grenoble, France, may see grown men riding arounda lake in miniature ships. But these are pilots of the world's largest ships, and they're practicing navigation with meticulously engineered 1:25 scale models of real cruisers, tankers, and containerships. Port Revel Shiphandling Training Centre, in operation since 1967, has had more than 6,000 maritime pilots and merchant ship officers from all over...
Article The Road Towards Autonomous Ship Handling with Tugs
by Captain Henk Hensen (Marine Consultant) - published on 5 November 2019
Video MV LYRIKA (Lithuania) and Harbour Pilot Cutter leaving Port of King's Lynn
published on 14 May 2021
Video Accident off Wangerooge - container ship runs aground (in German)
published on 3 February 2022
The 400-metre-long container giant "Mumbai Maersk" has run aground in the North Sea tidal flats and must be towed free. The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies was basing its hopes on the high tide at around two o'clock in the morning of Friday night. The night before, an attempt to tow the freighter free had failed. The high water on Thursday afternoon was also too low. In addition, more powerful tugs are still needed.
Video Look at Life - City of Sailors - Portsmouth - 1965, UK
published on 18 March 2021
Video United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA)
published on 22 September 2023
