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 ABP invests around £9 million in state-of-the-art pilot boat fleet

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 November 2020

Associated British Ports (ABP) the UK’s largest and best-connected port operator, has commissioned a fleet of nine new state-of-the art pilot boats from Goodchild Marine Services, representing an investment of around £9 million to further enhance port operations across its network.

Article Safehaven´s "Celso Madeira" for Portugal's Sines Port starts sea trials

published on 17 December 2021

Safehaven Marine have launched ‘Celso Madeira’, an Interceptor 48 pilot for pilotage operations at the Port of Sines in Portugal.

Video Cherbourg Port 🇫🇷 - Pilot Boat - Scenoc Views

published on 11 May 2026

Video Pilot Boat "PILOT 1280"

published on 22 April 2022

Pilot Boat Design by ShipMar
More detail at
https://shipmar.com/divisions/harbour-and-terminal/pilot-1350/

Article Vessel Review | Celso Madeira – Fast, All-Weather Pilot Boat For Portugal’s Sines Port

published on 29 March 2022

Original article published on Baird Maritime

Irish builder Safehaven Marine has delivered a new pilot boat ordered by the Port of Sines in southwestern Portugal near the country’s capital of Lisbon.

Video Piloting car carrier "Felicity Ace", from Brixham Pilot Station (2022 RIP)

published on 30 March 2022

Mission ended well and disembarked on 13/12/2021. She didn't. Weekes later she caught major fire and sank South of the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. Fortunately, the crew abandoned the ship and no casualties were reported.

Article Swimmer killed by Pilot Boat: The ports of Auckland are fined $424,000

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 4 August 2020

The Auckland District Court has fined the Ports of Auckland NZD424,000 (USD300,500) for exempting its pilot boats from speed limits in Waitemata Harbour after a swimmer was struck and killed (April 2017).

Article The BMA introduces inspection campaign for pilot transfer arrangements

published on 23 July 2021

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) once again demonstrates its commitment to seafarer safety by being the first registry to instigate a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) for pilot transfer arrangements. It will continue to run until the end of 2021.

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 Time Lapse: Pilotage of the VLCC Pisces Star, Port of Rotterdam.

published on 4 July 2019

Time Lapse Video:The deep draught VLCC PISCES STAR is approaching the Port of Rotterdam, after navigating through the Eurogeul and Maasgeul deep water channels in the Southern North Sea. The VLCC is proceeding in Calandkanaal channel to her berth in the Petroleumharbour No. 5.
Before coming alongside the VLCC is stopped and swung in the channel. Four harbour tugs are made fast to assist the manoeuvring vessel. Mooringboats bring the VLCC's steel mooring wires ashore when she is coming...