Senior Lecturer Ship Handling

Pilot cutters are used to take pilots between the three pilot stations (at Gravesend, Harwich and Ramsgate) and ships entering or leaving the Port of London.
Three dedicated pilot cutters Patrol, Guide and our hybrid Leader are based at Gravesend. The six cutters used at Ramsgate are operated by a Estuary Services Limited, which is jointly owned by the PLA and Medway Ports Ltd.

As the marine industry digests decarbonization, digitalization and autonomy, DNV GL warns that a keen eye must stay on identifying and mitigating safety risks.

In this video we can see how a pilot boat (probably Barcelona) approached the vessel to disembark the pilot.

The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact of the Miss Mollye D tow with the Route 182 bridge was a loss of control of the tow by the pilot at the helm of the towing vessel, likely due to impairment by factors such as fatigue or drug use.

Манёвр судна с помощью двух буксиров, заходящего в речку частично крытой льдом.
Inbound vessel maneuver with two tugs assistance doing river passage partly covered by ice.
LOA=140m, B=23m.

Live AIS video stream of the salvage

Since 2022, there is a solution in Germany that helps pilots to report defects in pilot ladders or pilot transfer arrangements quickly and easily. The apps are available for Android & iOS.

Introducing the new Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) professional platform – the next evolution in our fully integrated helm-to-propeller experience. Targeted for 2025, this groundbreaking innovation offers unparalleled comfort, performance, and sustainability for a new class of marine vessels.

Does the growth of ships ever have limits? Perhaps less in shipbuilding than in the handling of the ships during piloting.