Video

St Johns Bar Pilot Association


published on 17 January 2020 922 -

A collection of action from the St Johns Bar Pilot Association

In the early 1800′s as the commercial ports along the St Johns River began to develop, a select group of brave and skilled seafarers would row to sea to meet arriving cargo sailing ships. These daring individuals would use their extensive local knowledge to safely guide the sailing ships across the treacherous sand bars that guarded the river entrance. This was the origin of the St. Johns Bar Pilots. Initially it was a bit of a free-for-all as competition was keen among these pilots to be first to “call for the ship” and claim the right to pilot the ships in and out of port.

In 1890, an enterprising pilot, Captain George Spaulding, purchased a former America’s Cup contender, the schooner “META”. Understandably very fast, Captain Spaulding and the META were soon winning the majority of “Calls” for the St. Johns River. At the urging of the other pilots, Captain Spaulding sold shares in the META and created the St. Johns Bar Pilot Association in the fall of 1890. The META became the first official St. Johns Pilot Boat.

The daily assigned pilot would board META at dawn and take station outside the mouth of the river. After a day of working on the river, the pilots would return to the river mouth just before sunset. In 1931, a Richfield Oil Tanker was the first vessel to navigate the river at night, thereby ushering in a new era of commercial service for arrivals and departures.

The first real pilot station was a pair of wooden buildings built on a low spit of land that formed Ribault Bay. That land is now under the carrier piers at Naval Station Mayport, and Ribault Bay is now known as the Naval basin. The station was moved to its current location with the construction of the Navy base in the 1940s.

For more than 120 years, the traditions of safety and excellence in service have been passed from one Pilot to the next. All of the modern St. Johns Bar Pilots hold unlimited endorsements as First Class Pilot and have extensive leadership experience from their prior service at sea. Pilots are available at anytime, day or night, and often board and pilot vessels in the most frightening conditions of wind, seas, rain and fog. They are among the most intensely trained and experienced mariners in the world. The Pilot’s dedication to serve the marine transportation interests of the port of Jacksonville are in keeping with their mantra:

“providing pilotage for vessels utilizing the navigable waters of the St. Johns River in order that resources, the environment, life and property may be protected to the fullest extent possible”
USA
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Pilot boarding in the ice

published on 4 July 2019

by Finnpilot Pilotage Oy
Luotsi nousee Perämerellä talvella alukseen ja poistuu aluksesta

0

Video Recommendation: Pilot Boarding Ship in Rough Weather in HD

published on 23 May 2020

A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, bar pilot, or simply pilot, is a sailor who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards.

0

Video Embarking the pilot at the Port of Açu in rough weather

published on 20 May 2022

Embarque mais cedo hoje no Porto do Açu (RJ). Prático Diogo Weber.
#Praticagem #ZP15 #PraticagemDoBrasil #NaoPara #24h #EficienciaNosPortos

0

Opinion Positioning of vessel at berth by using bridge wing gyro repeater

by Capt. Girish Chandra - published on 14 April 2020

Today I will discuss a very simple and useful practical trick often used by pilots.

When we have to berth a vessel with small clearances forward and aft (say 20 to 25 mtr fwd and aft) it is very essential that you are able to estimate your position. Now most of the time you have a berthing supervisor on jetty who will help you with position.

0

Video Open Waters Program Launch - Maritime Career Development Program

published on 21 January 2022

Open Waters Program Launch - Maritime Career Development Program
Louisiana River Pilots Association - Crescent River Port Pilots - New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association

0

Article Improving Teams Performance in Pilotage Waters

by Herman Broers - published on 31 March 2022

This paper aims to explore the possibilities of improving team performance on the bridge in pilotage waters. The pilot and the bridge team have a common goal: to navigate the ship safely and smoothly.

0

Video Ship Entering Harbor

published on 11 January 2022

Time Lapse Video of a Ship Entering Harbor

0

Press Release Simulation by NAUTITEC, Reality by Emden Pilots

by Frank Diegel - published on 5 March 2021

With only 10 days of preparation time, NAUTITEC successfully executed a high-end simulation of the Odyssey`s river-passage on a scientific level and they are glad to have seen simulation become reality once again.

1