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.

A pilot boat entering the port of Miami.

The pilot boat in Hvasser is going to pick up a pilot from a tank ship.

20mt Pilot Boat Concept Design

Penguin International Limited has delivered Singapore’s first hybrid-powered ship - a 15-metre, 12-pax aluminium pilot boat christened "Penguin Tenaga".

Advertising film of the SWATH shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen on ships in SWATH design (2013)

October 24, 1932 ~ October 22, 2020 (age 87). Member of Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association, serving as a river pilot for 34 years.