Product

Diligent Pilotage: Lessons Learned from the Jolly Nero

627 -

On 7 May 2013 at 22:59 the cargo ship Jolly Nero, following a failure of its main engine, hit the Pilots' Tower of the port of Genoa at a speed of about 3 knots, causing it to collapse.

The accident cost the lives of nine people and resulted in the criminal conviction of the Jolly Nero's Captain, Chief Engineer and First Officer.

It is one of those rare events that, because of its catastrophic consequences, lay bare the operations of the entire sociotechnical system in which it occurs, creating a window of opportunity for improving safety.
This book is written in the hope that the lessons learned from the Jolly Nero will lead pilotage organisations, shipping companies and port authorities to exercise due diligence with the aim of preventing accidents and withstanding the increasing level of scrutiny of courts of law.

The tragic loss of lives in the rubble of the Genoa Pilots' Tower will have been in vain if what happened on that evening does not result in improvements to safety of navigation in confined waters.
We all have a duty and need to learn from the Jolly Nero accident, and work towards a diligent pilotage.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Ship Pilots (Port of Houston)

published on 14 January 2021

0

Video Charting EMSA’s course for the next 20 years (day 1)

published on 17 June 2022

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) - streaming their 20th anniversary conference

0

Video SHIPPING ITALY sale a bordo con i Piloti del porto di Genova

published on 30 September 2025

Genova – Il gigantismo navale? Ha creato una nuova e complessa procedura per accogliere le nuove navi a Genova, ma di fatto ha ridotto le accostate e quindi il numero di pilotaggi, richiedendo un costante aggiornamento e la messa a punto, di volta in volta, di nuove manovre studiate prima a tavolino dai servizi tecnico nautici del porto e poi provate almeno una volta da tutti i piloti prima di diventare prassi consolidata. La nuova diga, inoltre, sta dando e darà ulteriore lavoro cambiando l'attività dei Piloti del Porto di Genova.

0

Video How not to climb down a Pilot Ladder

published on 1 July 2020

The video was found on some social media channels in June 2020. When so many elementary mistakes are made and so many risks are taken, this is exactly what can happen! It's a demonstrative example of an unprofessional action: 1) Where is the life jacket? 2) No backpack on the shoulders. Use a rope to have the backpack lifted by the deck crew. 3) Where is the rest of the crew (on vessel / on the small boat) for safe assistance? What other mistakes have you discovered? We do not put videos...

0

Video You Won’t Believe How A Pilot Boat Is Hauled Out for Refit

published on 24 September 2025

The Pacific Guardian pilot boat is first seen in Victoria Harbour near Ogden Point before making her way to Point Hope Maritime Shipyard for a full refit. This video captures the entire move process, from the cradle lowering into the harbour, to the careful docking of the vessel, to her move across the turntable and onto the spur line. Some of the footage has been sped up, since the cradle lowering and lifting are slow, deliberate operations where every movement is checked and rechecked....

0

Article Marine-Pilots.com celebrates its second birthday today

by Frank Diegel - published on 14 October 2021

Our community is growing day by day and all of us at Marine-Pilots.com say "Thank you!" to everyone who supports us and makes our platform for pilots possible. Look at our facts and figures and services:

3

Video VTS in New South Wales: Air Traffic Control of the Sea

published on 30 June 2021

Every airport needs its air traffic control but what about the ships in our seaports? Here’s how Port Authority’s VTS teams keep watch 24/7 to keep shipping safe in New South Wales, Australia. ••• Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba. With over 6,000 visits from trade and cruise vessels each year, the ports of New South Wales...

0

Video Pilot Boat in Port of Tyne

published on 10 April 2025

Join me behind the scenes aboard the pilot boat as we guide the cruise ship Borealis out of the River Tyne and welcome a colossal vehicle carrier into port. In this video, you'll get an up-close look at the challenging conditions at sea, including a rough water pilot transfer as we safely land the pilot onboard. Experience the scale of these incredible vessels and see the precision teamwork it takes to keep everything running smoothly, even in heavy seas. From the stunning departure of the...

0

Video Failed overtaking of another ship in a canal - Port Revel Shiphandling

published on 10 May 2020

Manoeuvring large ships at close quarters and on shallow water is one of the most difficult aspects of shiphandling because of the complex hydraulic interactions depending on the ships' speeds, on the water depth and on lateral restrictions like in canals. Training is conducted both on meeting and on overtaking ships in shallow waters. This video shows how overtaking in a canal can easily fail.
More information: http://www.portrevel.com/3781-shiphan...

0