New Pilot Boat for the Alabama’s Mobile Bar Pilots by Gladding-Hearn

Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the SW Pass of the Mississippi, has taken delivery of a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built for the Delta pilots by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard.

The Tampa Bay pilot association has returned its first Chesapeake Class pilot boat to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. Tampa was built in 2003 when the shipyard introduced the class of mid-size, high-speed launches.

Join Sir Boats Yacht as we take you aboard the legendary Gladding-Hearn Chesapeake Class Pilot Boat 🚤—a true workhorse of the seas! In just 7 minutes, we break down everything you need to know about this powerful, durable, and mission-critical vessel. From design to interior, performance to customization, this boat is a perfect example of world-class marine engineering ⚓ Whether you're a maritime professional, boat lover, or just curious about the vessels guiding mega-ships safely to port,...

SWATH build by Abeking & Rasmussen (Germany)

With a long tradition in building high performance vessels using composite material Hart Marine now produces some of the finest pilot boats available. European Design. Australian built. hartmarine.com.au

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation delivered a new Chesapeake class pilot boat to the Associated Federal Pilots in Venice, Louisiana.

Watch this video to get a behind-the-scenes look into training aboard our Pilot Cutter with Alexandra Pearson, Marine Operations Assistant at Shoreham Port.

Based on MAIB Safety Digest 1/2025, Case 12, published April 2025 by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Harbor Pilot is a short film from 1967 that gives viewers a brief look at what a harbor pilot is and does. The film opens with footage of a sailboat sailing at sea, followed by a shot of a rocky coastline (01:10) and then an aerial view of a modern harbor — the Port of Los Angeles. A large freight ship, SS Gemstone, is out at sea. A harbor pilot stands on land at the Port of Los Angeles, looking out over the harbor. He walks into the pilot station at the entrance to the harbor to check the...