Article

Ship Report Podcasts: Pilot boats - a special breed

published on 6 November 2021 - 56 -

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Today a look at a special vessel that is commonly seen on the Astoria waterfront: the pilot boat that takes pilots to and from passing ships. These boats are specially designed for demanding work that other boats avoid at all costs – coming in contact with the hull of a moving ship, and transporting pilots safely as they do a dangerous job.

Pilot Boats

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Video Pilot Boat STEINBURG from Brunsbüttel, Germany

published on 18 October 2021

PILOT STEINBURG (MMSI: 211784710) is sailing under the flag of Germany.
Her length overall (LOA) is 29 meters and her width is 8 meters.

Article Marine Log November 2022 Edition: Focus on Workboats

published on 15 November 2022

MarineL og November 2022 Edition has been published. This issue focusses on patrol boats, pilot boats and offshore support vessels.

Video Marine Alutech Watercat 160 Pilot

published on 16 November 2022

The first of three Watercat 160 Pilot was delivered to the Finnish Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd. in spring 2022. This PILOT boat has a self-righting ability as well as the ability to sail in surface ice of up to five centimetres thick. It can also be operated in deeper offshore waters to accommodate transfers of pilots to deeper-draught ships. The Watercat 160 Pilot can operate even in more restrictive inner harbour waters. The bow has D-type rubber fendering while the hull sides are equipped...

Video Pilot boat Lorient harbor - Storm Ulla 2014

published on 18 October 2020

Approche d'un navire gros colis par mauvais temps en 2014. Pilotone Troenn de Lorient

Video Pilot Boat Waimea II, Port Nelson, New Zealand

published on 22 November 2021

Pilot Boarding on PCC Vessel

Video TV Short Documentary on San Diego Harbor Pilots and Old Pilot Boat

published on 14 May 2025

This is a short documentary done in the 1980s of San Diego Harbor Pilots. It shows the old pilot boat built in 1914. The boat was donated to the Maritime Museum and provides daily bay rides for the public. The film shows arrival of the cruise ship SS Azure Seas.

Article Maritime Pilotage and Sustainable Seaport: A Systematic Review

by Seyed Behbood Issa-Zadeh & Claudia Lizette Garay-Rondero - published on 14 August 2025

Article by Seyed Behbood Issa-Zadeh & Claudia Lizette Garay-Rondero

Video Harbor Pilot Boarding at Norfolk Virginia

published on 3 May 2020

After passing Norfolk Virginia Naval Base, the Pilot boat Steven Mc. Allister brought the Harbor Pilot, the Pilot boat got alongside and the Harbor Pilot boarded safely and guided the vessel towards the berth/terminal.
#NorfolkHarborPilot #NorfolkPortsmouth #VirginiaMarinePilot

Article Report on Safe Tug Procedures

by Captain Henk Hensen (Marine Consultant) - published on 6 February 2020

Based on Pilot, Tug Master and Ship Captain Questionnaires

Compiled by:

Captain Henk Hensen FNI FITA Captain Daan Merkelbach FITA Captain F. van Wijnen MNI

Article Realtime run-through of Ever Given

published on 26 March 2021

Here's a realtime run-through of the #EVERGIVEN accident. After it gets stuck, check out the vessel two behind Evergiven - moving "somewhat erratically" and almost crashing into the Maersk Denver in front.