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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 from Teluk, Jakarta

published on 5 October 2021

Video Pilot Boat Draco. Port of Rotterdam, February 23, 2020.

published on 1 April 2020

February 23, 2020.
During high seas, smaller ships board Maritime Pilots in the mass entrance to Port of Rotterdam.

Video Pilot Disembarking ship in rough seas (Galveston)

published on 2 April 2025

#galtexpilots #gladdinghearn #goprohero11 #pilotboatgalveston #rammounts #galvestonpilots

Video Short mooring at p.Sunila berth 1 rain, ice and wind. at berth 2 m/v Seeland also our company vessel

published on 26 January 2022

A short video, a rainy and windy day in the port of Sunila in Finland.

Video New Pilot Boat "Mantaray" for Port of Townsville, 10 March 2021

published on 15 March 2021

The Port of Townsville has welcomed the newest addition to its fleet of pilot boats with the arrival of the newly built Mantaray. The $3.3 million, custom-built vessel utilises high-tech equipment and design to maximise safety and efficiency for pilot transfers.

Video Marine Pilot at work in the port of Hamburg

published on 17 April 2020

How do marine pilots work? Example: Bringing a bulkcarrier alongside to „Hansaport“ in Hamburg. Here the tugboats „Prompt“, „Resolute“ and „Bulldog“ are involved. The master has to rely on the pilot. One reason is, that he can‘t know how to deal with these tugs. A maneuver like this is only safe, when the pilot has a lot of practical experience. A master who is doing a maneuver like this only about once or twice a month and each time with tugs he doesn’t know in areas he hasn’t been to...