Video

Belfast Pilot Boat Ben Madigan

published on 17 May 2022 - 143 -

Show comment section |

Found on YouTube. Created by "Tom McClean Positive Belfast". Recorded on 2022-05-14. Originally published on 2022-05-16.

This is the Ben Madigan pilot boat, one of the hard working fleet of Belfast Harbout pilot boats. ( I'm not sure but I believe this might be a Redbay Stormforce, built by Redbay boat builders at Cushendll. )

These fast, sturdy, boats have to ferry Belfast pilots out to large vessels coming in to Belfast harbour. Piloted vessels range from large tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, ferries and cruise liners, right down to barges and fishing boats. Not only this, Belfast Harbour pilots are frequently called upon to do other tasks such as command, plan and co-ordinate various sea trials for new buildings, oil rigs and numerous conversions for the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast. It goes without saying then that Belfast Harbour pilots are extremely well qualified/skilfull men/women.
At present, Belfast Lough Pilotage Services has 12 pilots at their disposal, 9 of whom are fully authorised, "unlimited tonnage" pilots. The other are 3 junior pilots, progressing through the joint BLPS/BHC Pilotage Training Programme.

Pilot Boats

What's your opinion on this?

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

Video Goodchild Marine, PLA hybrid pilot cutter boat 'Leader' in 2019

published on 11 March 2021

Take a look at the first UK 'hybrid' pilot boat built in the UK by Goodchild Marine for the Port of London Authority. Video from 2019.

Video Goodchild Marine - Man Overboard Recovery Platform

published on 15 June 2023

Goodchild Marine have designed an MOB recovery platform system that can be fitted to existing vessels or incorporated into new constructions.

Video Pilot Boat MV Paga Launched at PNG Ports

published on 4 November 2022

Papua New Guinea Ports Corporation in partnership with the Australian Government had christened a K5million new customized Pilot boat called MV Paga on Tuesday November 1st. The launching of another Pilot boat was stated as the culmination of the hard work put together by the Australian High Commission, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, and PNG Ports Corporation. #pngnews #looppng #tvwannews #digiceltv #digicel #bettertogether LATEST NEWS: http://www.looppng....

Video Pilot Boat FRYA - Weser River

published on 30 June 2025

Footage from Germany, Bremerhaven

Video Pilot Boat for sale: "Pelican", Liverpool

published on 17 February 2022

Pelican Pilot Boat offered by SC Chambers

Video Physical Pilot Ladder Simulator (Chile)

published on 2 January 2020

This video has already been published for the first time in 2020. Please also note the second, more recent video in the appendix. This physical ladder simulator was designed for crew training in the ladder arrangement and for all the users especially for pilots.

Opinion Rituals around shipping. The „Titanic“ never got its name in a christening...

by Bianca Reineke, lutheran Pastor, Germany - published on 23 December 2022

Do you ever leave the harbour to get on a vessel you will guide along without a ritual? Whatever we trust in, whatever the rituals or traditions you Marine Pilots have - when you board your pilot boats, climb the ladders, get the vessels through the harbour - keep them and cherish them, they are good and they are important.