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Opinion Bow Truster Effect on Ship's Headway

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 14 July 2022

When the bow thruster has been in operation for a while, pilots often notice that the ship not only turns but also gains speed. But why is this? Opinion by Capt. Hugues Cauvier.

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Opinion A Corrected Version on Positioning of Pivot Point

by Capt. Santosha K. Nayak - published on 18 November 2020

Understanding the fundamentals of the pivot point is highly required for understanding the alteration of the courses. Pivot point is an imaginary point on the vessel which turns on a circular path on the perimeter of vessel’s turning circle when the vessel makes a turn. The knowledge about the position of the pivot point in a manoeuvring situation provides the ship handler with the information on the geometry of motion of the ship.

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Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!

by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020

In fact, the pivot point that we “see” is a trick of the eye, it looks like the ship is rotating about this point but in fact it is elsewhere, a point that you cannot see.

Related content

Video Bow thruster effect on ship's headway 1

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 14 July 2022

What is causing the forward motion of a stopped vessel using continous bow thruster action?
by Capt. H. Cauvier

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Video Hugues Cauvier: Understanding the ship's pivot point (complete video)

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 3 September 2024

This video has been recut and edited by the creator Hugues Cauvier. Previously there were three episodes, which have now been combined into one.

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Video How to Launch a Pilot Boat–Behind the Scenes at Point Hope Shipyard

published on 20 June 2025

Welcome to Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In this video, I follow the float off of the Pacific Navigator, a hardworking pilot boat that serves the Port of Victoria and Ogden Point. We watch as the vessel is pulled along the marine railway, rotated on the turntable, and positioned onto the cradle. Once secured, the cradle lowers to float-off depth, and the Pacific Navigator fires up her engines for a short harbour spin before returning to duty. Some segments,...

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Video Columbia River Bar Pilots conduct man overboard training

published yesterday

On April 20, 2026, the Columbia River Bar Pilots conducted a MOB drill with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Astoria.

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Article Board of commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York

published on 22 December 2021

At the 27 October 2020 meeting, the Board reviewed the SHPA grant request for a pilot ladder climbing training program.

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Article Study: increasing competition in ports and the underlying pressure

published on 2 October 2021

A study of increasing competition in ports and the underlying pressure to improve port performance. This thesis is the final deliverable for the completion of the degree of Master of Science in Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics (TIL) at the faculty of Civil Engineering and Geo-sciences at the Delft University of Technology.

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Video Live test: Backpack & Lifejacket?

published on 30 September 2021

When publishing articles or pictures about pilots and their pilot ladders, very often we see the use of backpacks. The use of backpacks is controversial, since its weight, or buoyancy, can influence the functioning of the lifejacket used.

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Article First Pilot Station Steers a Course for Seably Online Maritime Training

published on 5 November 2021

The Varna Pilot Station in Bulgaria has chosen Seably, the global online marketplace for bespoke maritime learning, to become the first pilot station to use the digital platform for its training.

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Video A French Ships Pilot Drops In.

published on 23 February 2021

MV Astoria, Dunkirk

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Video IZ 1150 AL Pilot Boat by Izmir Shipyard

published on 27 February 2026

Made from marine-grade aluminum, the IZ 1150 AL Pilot Boat supports propellers, water jets, or outboard engines. Its central wheelhouse gives great visibility, and shock-absorber seats for six ensure comfort. With a GM-designed hull, it reaches up to 30 knots, offering speed and easy control. 🌐 www.izmirshipyard.com Passionate about the sea, innovation, and quality craftsmanship. 🌊 #IzmirShipyard #pilotboat #MaritimeExcellence #TurkishShipbuilding #NewVessel #EngineeringMarvel...

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