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.
Video PILOT 20 Crossing the Rambler Channel in HK
published on 11 August 2025
Article Results online survey into the securing methods of pilot ladders
by Herman Broers - published on 5 March 2021
It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders is secured by means of D-shackles, when secured at intermediate length. Previous research (Evans, 2020) has proven that this method has only about 50% of the strength of the pilot ladder when secured at full length (“double ended ladder”), or by means of the “endless-sling” method.
Video Newcastle marine pilot transfer by helicopter
published on 9 September 2024
Did you know? In Newcastle, marine pilot transfers are carried out mostly by helicopter. Helicopter transfers are used for several reasons including pilot safety and efficiency, and as the largest bulk shipping port on Australia’s East Coast, that’s the name of the game! #PortAuthorityofNSW #marinepilotage #helicopter #newcastle #newcastleharbour #shipping ••• Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney...
Video Operation of POD Ships - Discussion on Efficiency comparing Conventional and IN-OUT POD strategy
published on 8 June 2022
In this movie the efficiency of two different pod operation strategies is compared: With azimuth propeller ships the Pods can be used in two ways to control the speed, e.g. for speed reduction: 1. by adjusting the engine orders, e.g. by reducing the RPMs to get lower speed - this means to drive the ship in the same conventional way as for twin screw vessels, 2. by turning both pods either in- or outward (TOE-IN or TOE-OUT) to reduce the forward thrust and therefore reducing the speed – the...