Port of Stockton: River Pilots

The Puget Sound Pilots’ mission is to ensure against the loss of lives, loss of or damage to property and vessels, and to protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent pilotage service on our State’s inland waters within the Puget Sound Pilotage District. The members of the Pilots are highly skilled, specially trained vessel captains who board oil tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships to guide them safely through Puget Sound waters. The pilots are independent...

It turns out that supertankers and cruise ships have valets. They're called maritime pilots, and they're among the most elite ship handlers in the world. So where does one go to learn how to park the largest ships in the world? To the Maritime Pilots Institute in Covington, La. There, they use mini-versions of the behemoth boats to teach the basics. All aboard!

Comment and photos by Reshma Nilofer Naha
India's first female Marine Pilot (Kalkata Port Trust)

Lyttelton is the largest port in the South Island of New Zealand. We are the gateway for the goods that keep our region moving. From the Container Terminal to the Dry Dock, and inland to CityDepot and MidlandPort, LPC offers a wide range of facilities and services Our Vision is to be New Zealand’s most sustainable and innovative maritime gateway, enriching our communities and driving economic prosperity. Our Purpose is to facilitate growth of trade for Christchurch, Canterbury and the wider...

View from the Bridge as the pilot navigates our 24,000 TEU vessel through the busy shipping channel safely to its berth. HMM thanks all the Pilots, Tug-Masters and Berthing Gangs for their important role in the safe passage of our fleet.

Shiphandling discussion about meeting and overtaking situations in a close quarters situation where hydrodynamic effects will come into play between ships. The lecture continues and discusses Bank Effect.

Pilot disembarking the cruise ship

My first movement as harbor pilot, once my training was completed: Unberthing, moving astern to the turning area, then going back astern to another location of the same berth
Nothing special: A very simple video

The St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Captain Phillip Brady, age 46, on January 12, 2026.