Marine Pilot

Check out this footage recently published by Safehaven Marine: This makes me want to become a pilot boat skipper!

The Zenith 54 Pilot Boat leads the way in performance and reliability. Designed for maximum efficiency and operator comfort, this 16m vessel reaches speeds over 30 knots, making it ideal for pilot transfers, crew transport, and ship assistance even in the most demanding conditions.
Crafted with a durable aluminium hull and wheelhouse, the design can be fully tailored to meet the specific operational needs of each client. We work closely with every end user, ensuring each vessel is designed...

Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

Capt Ertan Ozgur, Various maneuvering and Pilotage, time-lapse records from Gemlik Bay

Safehaven Marine based in Ireland have just delivered a pilot vessel for operations at the Port of Berbera in
Somaliland, Africa. ‘Sanaag’ is one of Safehaven’s Interceptor 38 pilot vessels, at 11.9m LOA, a very capable design which proves economical to operate, yet capable of dealing with very rough seas and challenging boarding conditions when required.

River Pilot transfer on the lower Mississippi River

The European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) has compiled a very good overview of current (and also country-specific) documents concerning the COVID-19 pandemic on its website. This page is updated regularly.

Ships have reported an increasing number of cases of significant GPS interference and jamming in recent months. The geographic areas with more than one reported incident include the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and multiple Chinese ports.

Chapter 3 from the book "Crossing the Bar, The Adventures of a San Francisco Bay Bar Pilot" by Captain Paul Lobo, available on Amazon (link below)

Join me behind the scenes aboard the pilot boat as we guide the cruise ship Borealis out of the River Tyne and welcome a colossal vehicle carrier into port. In this video, you'll get an up-close look at the challenging conditions at sea, including a rough water pilot transfer as we safely land the pilot onboard. Experience the scale of these incredible vessels and see the precision teamwork it takes to keep everything running smoothly, even in heavy seas. From the stunning departure of the...