Harbor Pilots - They park big ships. This is how.

Commencement of the Open Testing phase for Pilot-Guard.org, a platform designed to enhance the safety of maritime pilots through effective deficiency reporting and data exchange.

Published on 5th June 2020. Author Capt. John Dolan says: "We would not recommend remote pilotage when the ship is berthing or unberthing. These operations require the presence and advice of an experienced pilot who has extensive local knowledge and who is usually assisted by port tugs."

A loaded bulk carrier is a bit tricky to handle, do to all that mass: de require a lot of power in order to be stopped. This is why this maneuver are normally slower. Same applies to tankers.

I decided to show the typical happenings when a saltwater freighter arrives Duluth. Most of the time they go to anchor and wait for the Elevator dock. The Pilot Boat brings out the Great Lakes Pilot to sail the ship into the port and to the dock. This vessel arrived early Sunday morning, went to anchor until mid afternoon. They are loading grain at the CHS Elevator in Superor.

Pilot recruitment has traditionally been based on seniority, and extensive sea experience. However, a more modern approach, hiring younger, motivated candidates with structured training, offers an alternative path with compelling advantages.

Editors note: A film of a pilot boat has just been published on YouTube with the title "How Dangerous being in a Pilot Boat..." on YouTube. I'm not sure if this really shows a dangerous maneuver, maybe the experts can comment on it here.
But in principle it is problematic to approach the ship in such a small Pilot Boat in the wake from astern and cross the waves there. I remember an accident from Finland in December 2017 where the boat capsized and people died. Is this situation shown here...

We take a look at some of the dangerous ladder arrangements provided by ships when attempting to take maritime pilots on board. Our message is simple: if you are offered an unsafe or non-compliant ladder, do not board!

These images show a Navigation drill (SIMULATION) of approach and mooring to one of the Harbours of the Paraná River - "TIMBUES" Harbour (Management and Resources of the Navigation Bridge for Pilots) - (BRM - P) in charge of the Paraná Harbours Pilot, Captain Mr. Diego SCHOTTENHEIM. Exercise carried out in the Navigation Bridge Simulator of the Maritime and Riverine Research and Training Canter (MRRTC), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires #Argentine on March 12, 2019, since 14:50 till 15:55...

#PilotVessel "CARRASCO II" #PuertoDelBuceo #PuertitoDelBuceo #buceo #montevideo #uruguay #RioDeLaPlata #Pilots #RioDeLaPlataPilots #pilotonboard #prácticos #PrácticosArgentinos / 09.02.2026 - 10:54 LT.- This video was filmed on board the #PilotVessel "SEA PILOT", at the #PuertoDelBuceo #DelBuceoHarbour #Uruguay and shows the moments when the #PilotBoat "CARRASCO II" arrived at the same harbour, comming from the #BoardingStation​ #JP​ #Recalada​ #RioDeLaPlata​. Special appreciation to the...