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.

Here’s a nice video of the ‘Independent Vision’ having her pilot embarked offshore by the Cork pilot boat ‘Failte’ an Interceptor 48 before she enters Cork Harbour. We also undertook some alongside handling trials at the same time with ‘San Cibrao’ before she is shipped to Spain. Sure was interesting trying to land the drone back on the boat in the 40kt winds offshore!

How our Virtual Reality (VR DESIGN) software workd.

#PilotVessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES"/ On board #PilotBoat "PAX"/ #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata #pilots #pilotonboard #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina / 02.November.2022 This video shows, the moment which the Pilot Vessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES", after departured from #LaPlataHarbour went to the Boarding Point in #ZonaComún to embark and disembark #Pilots #LaPlataHarbour . These images were taken on board the Pilot Vessel "PAX" (inbound vessel), when she was underway inside the #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata...

Goodchild Marine won the order to manufacture and deliver the vessel in 2023 to increase Briggs Marine’s fleet to six ORC-class pilot boats.

16mt HSLC CLASS ALUMINIUM PILOT BOAT engineered & build by LYNX.