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 Threefer, three deliveries in a row. 25 mph winds made for a choppy river.

published on 2 January 2021

The pilot boat is a 1979 Gladding and Hearn, think of it as a 70s muscle car on water. The Deep-V hull does a great job of cutting through the waves while giving us good speed and maneuverability. On to the next one...
Some parts are sped up to fit 60 seconds.

Video "WESER" pilot station ship inbound Emden swath DBEB IMO 9514808

published on 5 August 2020

Video Baltic Workboats Pilot Ship (2016)

published on 17 June 2021

Baltic Workboat Pilot Shop, American Workboats Shipyard

Video Virginia Pilots Rely on Volvo Penta IPS Propulsion

published on 4 December 2020

The new 56-ft. Virginia Pilots launch is powered by a pair of Volvo Penta D13 700 hp EPA Tier 3 engines matched with IPS-3 steerable pod drives with forward-facing counter-rotating props. The propulsion system includes Volvo Penta’s EVC electronic steering and control system with a three-axis joystick. Top speed is 33+ knots.

Video Pilot Boat "Tribulation". Cairns, Australia

published on 27 September 2021

Cairns based Pilot Vessel underway outbound 19/9/21

Article P&O Maritime Logistics welcomes new pilot boat to fleet

by Baird Maritime - published on 26 May 2025

P&O Sahm is the fifth pilot boat to be acquired by P&O Maritime Logistics from the same builder. It will be operated out of Port Rashid in Dubai.

Article A member of our community is looking for a small used pilot boat

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 16 October 2020

The Budget is 120.000 Euro. Please send your offers and questions to marketplace@marine-pilot.com

Video NOK-Kanalsteurer Dieter Morhardt über seinen Beruf

published on 28 July 2021

Dieter Morhardt ist Kanalsteurer auf dem Nord-Ostsee-Kanal. Was den Beruf ausmacht erzählt er im Video.
Eine umfangreiche Reportage zu den Kanalsteurern gibt es hier:
https://www.shz.de/regionales/kiel/kanalsteurer-auf-dem-nord-ostsee-kanal-ein-in-deutschland-einmaliger-beruf-id19542646.html

Video Port Revel Ship Handling Training Centre

published on 24 October 2019

Port Revel is a ship handling training center for pilots, captains and officers. Unique in its kind, it allows to acquire new skills, to improve on different manned models at scale 1 / 25th.

Video Refusing to board due to a pilot ladder not rigged correctly

published on 20 June 2025

This lady came into port in an excellent day, however when I inspected the pilot ladder prior to board I saw that it was rigged using D-Shackles fastened between the side ropes, transferring all the weight and load of the ladder to the clamps and chokes. Truly an unsuitable method of securing the ladder. Retrieval line was also not above the first spreader
After pulling out the pilot boat, the ship was contacted by VHF and the captain was asked to instruct the crew in the usage of ropes and...