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 Delaware River Pilot Boat

published on 17 June 2025

Delaware River Pilot Boat Cape Henlopen Transfers Pilot to Cargo Ship Al Wathba - Delaware River - Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania - June 6, 2025

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.

Article Golden Gate – Versatile pilot boat to serve San Francisco Bay area

by Baird Maritime - published on 18 August 2023

VESSEL REVIEW - by Baird Maritime
Seattle, Washington-based boatbuilder Snow and Company has handed over a new all-aluminium monohull pilot boat to the San Francisco Bar Pilots of California.

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 Pilot launch Torquay off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, Australia.

published on 16 July 2025

The Port Phillip Sea Pilots launch Torquay off Point Lonsdale.
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.

Article 99.9%: Canadian Pacific marine pilots’ tanker safety success

by Context - Enery examined - published on 19 May 2022

Consistently 99.9 per cent safe operation of large vessels: Marine pilots on Canada’s West Coast have an exceptional safety record in the world’s largest pilot-mandatory zone for large vessels including oil tankers.

Video 57th EMPA Meeting Rome 2023 - Official Video

published on 1 November 2022

Official presentation video of the 57th EMPA Meeting Rome 2023
April 24th - 28th, 2023

Video North Sea pilots in the storm (documentation, german with subtitles)

published on 20 February 2023

Für Lotsen ist es der gefährlichste Moment in ihrem Berufsalltag: bei orkanartigen Böen von einem Frachtschiff eine Strickleiter herunterklettern und auf ein kleines Lotsenboot übersetzen. Mitte Januar 2023 ist ein Lotse bei Borkum ins Meer gefallen und kam mit Unterkühlungen ins Krankenhaus. Erst wenige Tage zuvor verstarb ein englischer Kollege bei diesem Manöver. Hafenlotse Gerhard Janßen und Seelotse Dominik Thieben machen sich für ihren Einsatz bereit. Bei Windstärke acht geht es mit...

Opinion Positioning of vessel at berth by using bridge wing gyro repeater

by Capt. Girish Chandra - published on 14 April 2020

Today I will discuss a very simple and useful practical trick often used by pilots.

When we have to berth a vessel with small clearances forward and aft (say 20 to 25 mtr fwd and aft) it is very essential that you are able to estimate your position. Now most of the time you have a berthing supervisor on jetty who will help you with position.