Video

Ship piloting in pandemic times in Santa Marta, Colombia

published on 5 April 2020 - 315 -

Show comment section |

Found on YouTube. Created by Guille Rodriguez on 04/04/2020.

It has been 1 month since the 1st case of coronavirus in the country. All airports were shut down, and mandatory confinement was issued 10 days ago. Nevertheless, Maritime shipping must continue (except for tourist related). The means that us pilots must continue with our duties despite the risks involved with all the ships' crews arriving from different countries. So we need to take all safety measures possible.

This particular maneuver was unberthing a chemical tanker, in loaded condition, the "Maersk Borneo", which is a mid size tanker with a bow thruster and a fixed pitch prop. I used 2 tugs fast on the port side, backed her out of the basin and turned her to port. Captain and crew were very professional.

Santa Marta, Colombia

Pilot boarding

What's your opinion on this?

Opinion Pilot ladders: Compliance by design, failure by operator

by Herman Broers - published on 10 March 2022

It is not often that this blog is used to show bad practice, however in this case some pictures tell a whole story. Ship is compliant by design for rigging a combination. How about the operator(s)?

Article What is a SWASH pilot boat? What's the difference to the SWATH technology?

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 5 June 2020

At the A&R shipyard in Germany, the successful principle of SWATH boats was further developed in 2013: The SWASH principle allows sea-going, smaller and more economical boats.

Video Submarine pilot boarding

published on 6 July 2019

Pilot boarding submarine HNLMS Bruinvis at North East Spit pilot station.
Pilot Captain Chris Renault.

Article Fremantle Pilots and Fremantle Ports: Working Together to Improve Pilot Transfer Safety

by Fremantle Pilots - published on 6 June 2025

Clear statements from Fremantle Pilots and Fremantle Ports to ensure the safety of pilot transfers.

Video Pilots disembarking Harmony of the Seas

published on 30 April 2025

#GaltexPilots #pilotboatgalveston #gladdinghearn #goprohero11 #rammounts #galvestonpilots #viewfromthepilotboat @RoyalCaribbean #harmonyoftheseas #royalcaribbean #oasis #cruiseship #timeforavacation #vacation

Article Investigation of ship maneuvering with hydrodynamic effects between ship and bank

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 12 July 2021

When a vessel navigates in confined waters, such as in a harbour or narrow channel, it is well known among experienced pilots that the ship handling is greatly affected by the hydrodynamic forces and moments acting between ship and bank or sidewall of the channel.

Video German Pilot Boat (Baltic Sea)

published on 16 May 2022

Perfect Manoeuvre. Maybe it is Kieler Förde or Travemünde but in an any case the Baltic Sea. Greetings to NOK II !

Article Increased Occurrence of Extreme Waves in the German North Sea

by Frank Diegel - published on 28 February 2025

Researchers have observed an unexpectedly high frequency of towering waves in the German North Sea, particularly near the island of Norderney. These extreme waves pose a significant risk to maritime infrastructure, including ships, offshore wind farms, and research platforms.

Video Pilot Boat LOS 107 — Full Underway Walkaround

published on 27 February 2026

Join us for a full exterior walkaround of the Norwegian pilot boat LOS 107 while she’s underway — bow to stern, wheelhouse to fenders. Real-time footage of a working pilot/launch at sea. Vessel overview Name: LOS 107 (listed as “Lodsbåd / Vessel”) Type: Pilot boat / pilot launch / workboat Built: 1998 (Norway) Hull material: Aluminium Length overall (LOA):17.1 m Beam: ~4.0–4.3 m (approx.) Draft: ~1.0 m (approx.) Displacement / GT: small workboat class (light displacement) Propulsion: Twin...