The High-Stakes World of San Francisco’s Bar Pilots: A Virtual Reality Experience

Statement von Joris J. Stuip, Senior Vice President PTR Holland and a comment by Frank Diegel, CEO & Founder of Marine-Pilots.com

Editor's note: The pilot boarding seems a bit improvised and unsafe to me, but that's certainly business as usual, isn't it?

Estuary Services crew Andrew Howland (coxswain) and Wayne Goldfinch (deckhand) transferring PLA pilot, Stephen Ford on an approx. eight-mile trip from Ramsgate to board the tanker Songa Breeze at the NE Goodwin pilot boarding ‘diamond’. Departing at 0955 on 20 April 2020, they steered an easterly course to reach the ship by 1030. Weather: wind North Easterly F6, sea state moderate to rough, visibility 10 nautical miles. Footage: ESL Edit: Theo Albanis, Port of London Authority Music:...

It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.

Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.

View from Liverpool cruise terminal, of a port of Liverpool pilot boat leaving jetty, alongside the Viking Jupiter of Bergen Norway, with boats on the Mersey. 🇳🇴 🇬🇧

Pilot launch Griffiths off to the pilot boarding ground in a breeze off Pt Lonsdale, Victoria, Aust.
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.
#Auriga pilotage Group
#Griffiths #Point Lonsdale

We were lucky to come across the Tom Crean whilst offshore putting some hours on the Interceptor 60 pilot P&O Sahm. Taking the opportunity to undertake some alongside handling trials, we captured some cool footage of Tom Crean pushing through the waves.