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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Article Metal Shark Delivers 55-Foot Pilot Boat To Pascagoula Pilots

published on 24 November 2021

Boat builder Metal Shark has delivered a 55’ x 17’ welded aluminum pilot boat to the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association in Mississippi.

Video 20m Pilot Boat "Raan" from Belgium

published on 10 October 2025

Following a pilot at fast speed

Video From Pilot boat to Vessel Bridge

published on 19 December 2021

A beautiful day, climbing up the (not-so-well-rigged) pilot ladder and then the stairs of the accommodation towards the bridge.

Video La Coruna pilot boat Offshore in Gale & Ship boarding trials

published on 29 September 2020

Here’s a pretty cool video covering the recent sea trials we undertook with the La Coruna pilot boat. Some nice gale footage 20 miles offshore, and the fun we had trying to land the drone back down in high winds as well as alongside ship handling trials with the Taccola, operating out of Cork Harbour at present.

Article Finnpilot Pilotage Orders Sixth Watercat 160 Pilot from Marine Alutech

published on 29 April 2025

Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd has reinforced its long-standing partnership with Marine Alutech by placing an order for another Watercat 160 Pilot vessel. This latest acquisition marks the sixth vessel of the new 160 Pilot Series for the Finnish Pilotage organisation’s fleet.

Article Study: "Performance assessment in full-scale simulators"

published on 14 July 2021

Study from 2020: Precise assessment of complex maritime navigation requires reliable and valid assessment frameworks. The purpose of this research was to examine the reliability and validity of the proposed CAPA-tool.

Video AIMPA’s Webinar on “Reconceptualising Indian Maritime Pilotage" on 24th Oct 2020.

published on 4 November 2020

The need to hold such a webinar was felt from the interaction over several months of AIMPA members through its President, Capt. Gajanan Karanjikar, with Capt Simon Meyjes and Capt.Ravi Nijjer - both instrumental in the thorough upgrade of pilotage operations Safety management systems in parts of Australia. From these interactions, AIMPA has come to the firm conclusion that a thorough upgrade of maritime pilotage management systems in India is necessary. Holding a webinar would be a good...

Video Two Way Traffic (The Texas Chicken). Explained by Capt. Lou Vest

published on 22 October 2020

With ships as large as 175 feet wide and a channel a maximum of 500 feet wide, how to you safely pass? Former Houston ship channel pilot, Lou Vest, explains how ships fight against hydrodynamics to pass with such narrow margins.
https://houstonmaritime.org

Article 400m Container ship runs aground off Wangerooge (Germany)

published on 3 February 2022

The container ship "Mumbai Maersk" ran aground off the island of Wangerooge. A first rescue attempt failed.

Video Live test: Backpack & Lifejacket?

published on 30 September 2021

When publishing articles or pictures about pilots and their pilot ladders, very often we see the use of backpacks. The use of backpacks is controversial, since its weight, or buoyancy, can influence the functioning of the lifejacket used.