Source: Ship Report Podcasts
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.Video NG Shipyards Launching Pilot Vessel MHPA
published on 10 December 2025
Video River Tyne - Pilot Boat "Hadrian" / Fishing Boat / NAVY P2000 Vessel
published on 8 September 2021
Video Sea Shepherd - Pilot Boat - Port of Aberdeen
published on 20 October 2026
Commissioned by the Aberdeen Harbour Board the Sea Shepherd was built by the renowned Macduff Shipyards in Aberdeenshire. The vessel was designed by Murray Cormack, evolving from their highly successful "NorthBay 17" hull design. The primary design prompt called for an exceptionally rugged craft capable of handling the severe, choppy sea conditions found just outside the Aberdeen breakwater. To meet this requirement, Murray Cormack developed a single-chine displacement hull specifically...
Video Pilot boat "PV Server " in rough weatherat Sydney, Australia
published on 27 June 2021
Article Port of Southampton holds naming ceremony for pilot launch Mayflower
published on 25 May 2022
Opinion Harbor Pilots, the Boeing 737 MAX and Automation
by Capt. Jim Wright , Southwest Alaska Pilots Association (retired) - published on 5 March 2020
Video Marine pilot transfer Port Botany
published on 9 January 2020
Article Pilot Ladder Handbook by PTR Holland (latest version)
by PTR Holland® B.V. - published on 3 February 2024
Video "Majesty of the Seas" berthing Portsmouth International Port. Tug view
published on 10 August 2020
Video by Andy Mabbett, UK
A lovely morning for the arrival of the Royal Caribbean International Majesty of the Seas into Portsmouth International Port. Apologies for my basic editing but the overlays in each corner provide an idea of what my tugs azimuth thrusters were doing along the way with the sliders showing engine and propeller power. The Damen Shipyards Group ASD 2411 'MARKSMAN' of SMS Towage is an awesome tug with 70t Bollard Pull. This ensures the customer's v/l is handled safely...
Video Presentation of manned ship models at Port Revel Shiphandling Training Centre
published on 24 October 2019
Port Revel is used for shiphandling training of maritime pilots, masters and officers on a 5 ha lake with 11 manned model ships representing 20 vessels, and 4 tugs at scale 1:25 and DGPS tracking system. Instructors are former maritime pilots.
Training on the scale models provides experience that could never be gained on real ships for the simple reason that neither ship-owners nor local authorities would allow such risks to be taken. Scale models allow the shiphandler to make mistakes....