Pilotage in a strong current

Over the past few years a number of pilot transfer accidents have occurred resulting from total failure of the side ropes, one school of thought is that the methods of securing a pilot ladder is a factor in such occurrences.

Latest Version: Necessary knowledge about pilot ladders by PTR Holland. Very good summary! Download free of charge.

MV Astoria, Dunkirk

Bulk Carrier Ship "THALIS" / Pilot Boat "SEA PILOT" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots,
Argentina

In this study, it was tried to determine the deaths and causes of active pilots (under 65 years old according to the legislation) during the 62 years between 1961 and 2023 in Turkey. Deaths during the retirement period were not included in the study.

The practice is essential to the safety of waterway traffic, as it avoids or minimizes accidents that can cost the lives of people, cause damage to the environment and enormous material losses.
The structure is fully maintained by the practicing companies themselves, without the contribution of any public resource, related to the maintenance of the speedboats, the 24-hour operation of their Operations Centers, the training of their employees, the acquisition and maintenance of communication,...

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuildiing, Duclos Corporation, has taken an order for a rigid-bottom, soft-sided pilot boat from the Lake Pilots. The Resilient class high-speed launch is the Michigan pilots’ third boat built by the Somerset-Mass. Shipyard since 1979.

Delta Launch Services has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding (Duclos Corporation).

This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. Delivery of the new 52-footer is scheduled for July 2020.

While in many western countries of the world, pilots there have already been preferentially vaccinated against COVID-19, pilots in other countries such as Malaysia are struggling to get vaccinated.