Marine Pilot/Assistant Harbourmaster

With the theme, "The Next Wave – Navigating Towards the Digital Future, the 12th biennial Congress will be delivered virtually from 5 - 10 October, 2020.

The Congress remains the key forum for IHMA members and the global ports sector to collaborate, network, share information, and provide updates on the latest industry technology and solutions.

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.

Pilotage is being able to navigate safely into and out of a harbour/anchorage/port knowing where you are at all times, where your hazards are and a safe route in/out. This is particularly useful if you are heading into somewhere new or a challenging/busy area – or both!

The dangerous job for a marine pilot when embarking a huge vessel that don't and can't wait for you to get on board...
We can all no doubt appreciate the dangerous that some folks are in just to do their respective jobs.

Our Pilot Boats play a crucial role in maintaining the daily flow of maritime traffic to and from Belfast Harbour. Working 24/7, 365 days a year, in all kinds of weather conditions, this dedicated team carries out the vital task of bringing the Harbour Pilots out to arriving vessels, where they guide them safely into their berths, as well as disembarking them, often in challenging sea conditions on Belfast Lough.
Kayleigh Ward, our sole female pilot boat crew member, reveals how she gave up...

This Pilot Advisory Note (PAN) advises AMSA-licensed coastal pilots and pilotage providers about the existence of counterfeit pilot ladders and associated certification.

Serious Injury to Pilot delves into a real-world incident that resulted from a lack of attention to detail. A pilot falls from a ladder due to negligence.
Visit https://maritimetraining.com/Course/Serious-Injury-to-Pilot to purchase the full-length version.

Like many seafarers I have long been a keen follower of The Nautical Institute’s MARS programme, and along with many other members I listened to the recent webinar on that topic. One theme which was repeated more than once was that it is better to learn from someone else’s misfortune rather than have it happen to you. Having personally been involved in two near misses resulting from unsafe pilot transfer arrangements in a relatively short space of time, I asked how experiences and knowledge specifically about pilot ladder safety could best be promulgated to avoid repeating common accidents or near misses.

Join me as I take a ride along with the St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association. We are going offshore in Panama City to bring back 2 Pilots and two coastguardsmen from a ship leaving port. It's awesome to watch the skill and teamwork it takes to safely transport Pilots and other personnel on and off these large ships. Special Thanks St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association Captain Zach Condon, Chairman Captain Phillip Brady III US Coast Guard ATON Team Chief Tom Ball Petty Officer Brendon Blackwell...

Container ship TIGER MAANSHAN contacted berthed container ship (unidentified) and struck gantry crane while mooring at Hai An Port, Hai Phong, Vietnam, on Aug 10. Both ships sustained slight damages, understood container ship contacted by TIGER MAANSHAN left port on schedule. Gantry crane of German production, installed in 2012, is said to sustain serious damages. As of Aug 19, TIGER MAANSHAN was still berthed at Hai An Port.
Container ship TIGER MAANSHAN, IMO 9913559, dwt 26177, built 2022,...