Video Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association
published on 27 May 2020
May is Maritime Month at the Port of San Diego and we are proud to highlight some of our hardworking men and women of the Working Waterfront. Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association. His work consists of guiding ships in and out of San Diego Bay in a safe and efficient manner. A typical day includes guiding a 650-foot car carrying vessel or a 950-foot cruise ship into San Diego Bay. This entails boarding the vessels by climbing up a ladder,...
Video Lisbon pilot disembarking from Adonia in rough seas (2014)
published on 11 September 2021
Video Life At Sea, Pilot Boarding Ship in Rough Weather
published on 7 February 2020
A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, bar pilot, or simply pilot, is a sailor who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards.
Video Departing Miami on Norwegian Sky & Pilot Boat
published on 28 February 2020
Video Poseidon Sea Pilots buoys local shipbuilding
published on 9 July 2021
Video Tales from a Great Lakes Pilot
published on 9 February 2026
Great Lakes Pilot Eric Treece joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center for an interview about his career as a fleet captain and his experiences now as a pilot working aboard a variety of ships. In the course of the conversation, he shares some spectacular photos he has taken over the years. TECHNICAL NOTE: there are a few audio glitches we could not correct but it only impacts a few spots.