The historical Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter - Part 1

Many consider the Bristol Channel pilot cutter to be the finest sailing boat design ever. Fast, seaworthy and beautiful to behold, the pilot cutter is the perfect combination of form and function - a thoroughbred perfectly adapted to a life in one of the Britain's most treacherous stretches of water. Sailor and writer Tom Cunliffe explores the life of the pilots and sails a perfectly restored cutter to find out just what drove these men and their wonderful machines.

Let us start a journey back in time. Back to the black and white films of history. The times have changed, but it is good to know what kind of things have changed and where are the roots of pilotage.

Look at Life Vol 01 Transport Pilot Aboard 1963
The story of Britain's pilotage services.

Vos Pace is a Dutch registered ship being seen out by Puffin Pilot vessel at Great Yarmouth 8th June 2021. Vos Pace is 83m long and 18m wide and made in 2015. Puffin is as long as Vos Pace is wide at 18m and 4m wide itself
I run over and managed to grab some nove shots even though the sun was facing into camera some of the time. As Puffin came back it looked even better I thought.
Music by me.
Internet search 'Calvertfilm'.

The Halifax Pilot Boat recovering a Pilot from a cruise ship in some rough weather
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This is the Ben Madigan pilot boat, one of the hard working fleet of Belfast Harbout pilot boats. ( I'm not sure but I believe this might be a Redbay Stormforce, built by Redbay boat builders at Cushendll. )
These fast, sturdy, boats have to ferry Belfast pilots out to large vessels coming in to Belfast harbour. Piloted vessels range from large tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, ferries and cruise liners, right down to barges and fishing boats. Not only this, Belfast Harbour pilots...

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