After almost four hours of work to safely guide and assist the Ship's Captain in navigating the vessel out from Liverpool's Royal Seaforth Container/Roro Terminal (RSCT) in Liverpool UK, the Harbor Pilot disembarks at Bar Pilot Station, a rendezvous point or certain place where a ship should take the Sea/River/Harbor Pilot on and off. In this video, the Pilot disembarked at the Starboard side (right side), lee side of the vessel which is the normal practice. The term "lee side" means away or that is sheltered from the wind. The vessel should slow down and maneuver safely to place the vessel to the lee side. Pilots usually advised the Captain of the approximate speed and heading required for this critical phase of ship handling and operation. The ship Captain, being the top in command, is on the bridge navigation deck to oversee, handle and assess safe operation. Good communication is a vital key to this operation. He/She should communicate with the Deck Officer in order for the Deck Ratings to prepare all the equipment and of course the "Pilot ladder" for safe disembarkation. The Captain should communicate with the Pilot boat as well. He/she should also confirm with the Deck Officer that the ladder has been properly checked and rigged as per instruction/recommendation from the Pilot. He/She should also communicate with the Engine room that the Pilot is about to disembark, and upon leaving the vessel, the Deck Officer should report to the Captain that the Pilot has safely disembarked, take note of the time as this is usually included in some of the ship reporting which is to be done later on, the Captain notifies the Engine room of the actual time of Pilot disembarkation. After a safe Pilot disembarkation, the Deck Ratings should secure the Pilot ladder for sea passage, other equipment used and also the Pilot door opening, if there is any. All of this operation should be done with the utmost care, as SAFETY is the top priority onboard.
