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 A Pilot Boat alongside a Cruise Ship (Norway)

published on 4 August 2025

A Pilot Boat alongside a Cruise Ship

Video Pilot Boarding a cargo ship @ Amsterdam

published on 11 December 2020

This is one common method to board the pilot. And here it is a special boat which is very fast with new technology

Video Pilot Boat Launch in Youghal, Co. Cork. for Port of Aden (2012)

published on 29 August 2020

Pilot boat launch in Youghal on July 2012.

Video PLA River Thames Pilot Cutter Dji Inspire 2

published on 28 January 2021

Pilot cutters are used to take pilots between the three pilot stations (at Gravesend, Harwich and Ramsgate) and ships entering or leaving the Port of London.
Three dedicated pilot cutters Patrol, Guide and our hybrid Leader are based at Gravesend. The six cutters used at Ramsgate are operated by a Estuary Services Limited, which is jointly owned by the PLA and Medway Ports Ltd.

Article Awards 2022 | Best small Pilot Boat - "Balbblair"- Safehaven Marine

by Baird Maritime - published on 17 April 2023

Following in a long line of ever more refined and very seaworthy vessels, this small example of a Safehaven pilot boat has been chosen for operations on and around Scotland’s Cromarty Firth.

Video Port of Hay Point - Marine Pilotage

published on 26 September 2020

NQBP is proudly committed to safe shipping - watch as our Marine Pilot, Captain Luke Sorensen explains how he safely manoeuvres a vessel from the PortofHayPoint.
Fact: In 2015-16, 1133 vessels were handled at this NQBP port.

Video Tug Talk with Pilot Captain Kirk Pinto

published on 30 September 2024

#tugboatwilly #tugboat #mariners #nyharbor #mariner #docklife #boatlife #ship #bigship #captain #pilot

Opinion Pilots are not Advisors to Masters

by Karolina Cirjak, Consultant Master Mariner at KC Maritime Consultancy Ltd. - published on 30 November 2024

This article was first published back in February 2022: According to the International Group of P & I Clubs’ “Report on P&I claims involving vessels under pilotage 1999-2019”, over the last twenty years, there were 1,046 incidents in which pilot error either caused or contributed to those events.