Launch Master (Skipper)

In 2006 I was invited to join Port of London Pilot Capt. Tom Miller on one of his last few voyages before his retirement. A pilot cutter ferried us from the Gravesend Port office to the Port of London Terminal where the Hebridean Spirit waited for us to board. Once aboard, the ship's captain manoeuvred the vessel off its moorings and into the channel. After handing the vessel over to Capt. Miller, the Captain joined the ship's company for dinner, and the first offer and a helmsman remained...

This is an interview with Patrick Wilson, a bar pilot who is a part of the Mobile Bar Pilots in Mobile, Alabama. Chapters/Questions 0:00 - Introduction to Patrick Wilson 0:15 - What does a bar pilot do? 0:57 - What is the career path to becoming a bar pilot? What education and experience did you need? 2:13 - What's the most challenging situation you've handled while guiding a ship? 3:48 - How has new technology like GPS or advanced radar changed your job, and how much do you still rely on...

Captain Jonathan Tennant has been called a hero for his decision to intentionally ground the Golden Ray, keeping it out of the main shipping channel.

Bulk Carrier Ship "TOP MARINE"/ #RioDeLaPlataPilot/ Disembarking Maneuver/ On board #PiloVessel "COMETA" #ZonaComún #LaPlataRoads #RioDeLaPlata - 25th. July 2024 - 10:47 hs. (Local Time).- This video (original sound) was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "COMETA" and shows the Rio de la Plata Pilot, when he disembarked from the Bulk Carrier Ship "TOP MARINE". This maneuver occurred in #ZonaComún #RioDeLaPlata.- #ZonaComún #BoardingStation #RioDeLaPlata.- Date: 25th. July 2024. Time: 10:46...

IMO: - Name: IRAGO 7 PILOT BOAT Vessel Type - Generic: Pilot Vessel Vessel Type - Detailed: Pilot Vessel Status: Active MMSI: 431005936 Call Sign: - Flag: Japan [JP] Gross Tonnage: - Summer DWT: - Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 20 x 4 m Year Built: - Home Port: - https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:1246908/mmsi:431005936/imo:0/vessel:IRAGO_7_PILOT_BOAT

This expert article is based on a presentation given by Capt. Pilot Sven Stemmler at the MCN's (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e. V. ) event ‘On the Future of the Pilot Profession’ at Fraunhofer CML in Hamburg on 9 September 2025.

Filmed using a DJI Mini 2 All video footage is owned by Northcoast Drone and it can be licensed as stock footage. We are certified in advanced drone operations and use a visual spotter LICENSING & BUSINESS INQUIRIES alexmcc@gmail.com Copyright © Northcoast Drone. All Rights Reserved.