Article Pilot Transfer Arrangements
by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 2 October 2019
Article A contempt for pilot safety and total disregard for the contents of the SOLAS Convention.
by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 4 October 2019
Article Origins of the IMPA pilot mark
by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 24 October 2019
There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.
Opinion Snakes or Ladders
by Ewan Rattray, UK - published on 12 March 2021
Video History: Helicopter Transport Elbe River-Pilot (1961)
published on 18 May 2020
Unissued / Unused material - Hamburg, West Germany (FDR - Federal Republic of Germany). German helicopters are used to carry river boat pilots to where they are needed. Big CU Helicopter pilot talking into mouthpiece. Aerial view from helicopter of boat below. MS as the helicopter comes in and lands on deck of the ship. Various shots as pilot is picked up from lightship and flown off in helicopter. LS From bridge of ship as helicopter flies overhead. CU Small bird sitting on capstan. (f.g....
Video How the Pilot Disembark using by Helicopter
published on 12 November 2020
Video Pilot Boarding Bulk Carrier SAMMY in Saudi Arabia.
published on 5 July 2021
This video was kindly provided by a friend of Pilot Captain Haitham Alzahrani, Saudi Arabia. Pilot Ladder Check: non-compliant, no retrieval line Editor's note: A backpack on the back in combination with a lifejacket is usually not a good idea. There are only a few lifejackets that unfold in the water without any problems even with a backpack! More Information: SAMMY (IMO: 9582491) is a Bulk Carrier that was built in 2012 (9 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It’s carrying...
Video Refusing to board due to a pilot ladder not rigged correctly
published on 20 June 2025
This lady came into port in an excellent day, however when I inspected the pilot ladder prior to board I saw that it was rigged using D-Shackles fastened between the side ropes, transferring all the weight and load of the ladder to the clamps and chokes. Truly an unsuitable method of securing the ladder. Retrieval line was also not above the first spreader
After pulling out the pilot boat, the ship was contacted by VHF and the captain was asked to instruct the crew in the usage of ropes and...
Video Pilot Boat "Amber" - PB200 BY UZMAR
published on 27 November 2021
PORT QASIM LİMANI PIL0T BOT PROJESİ / KARAÇİ - PAKİSTAN PORT QASIM PORT PILOT BOAT PROJECT / KARACHI - PAKISTAN PİLOT BOT AMBER / PB2000 GÖVDE TİPİ /HULL TYPE: TEK GÖVDELİ /MONO HULL TAM BOY /LOA :20,50 m GENİŞLİK /BEAM :5,50 m MAKSİMUM HIZ / MAX. SPEED :23 Deniz Mili / 23 kts İNŞA MALZEMESİ /BUILDING MATERIAL :Çelik / Steel SEVK SİSTEMİ /PROPULSION SYSTEM :Sabit Kanatlı Pervane / Fix Pitch Propulsion