The first volume of Pilots concentrated on the stories of American and British schooners. Volume 2 enters what for many will be a less familiar world... that of the remarkable pilot brigs and small undecked craft. Schooners range from the Hiates of Portugal to the beautiful station boats of the North Sea ports of Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The development of the schooners themselves into such highly sophisticated craft is traced from regional predecessors. Volume 2 of Pilots is not just about boats — the sailors also have their role. The book follows highly difficult manoeuvres under sail, dangerous transfers at sea, the routine of everyday life, and the perils of heavy weather including ships wrecked and lives saved. All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
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Video North Sea Pilot Boat in choppy Seas
published on 24 November 2025
Early morning in the North Sea, three-metre swells, freezing winds, and a burst of hail hammering the deck - perfect conditions for another day with the Port of Tyne pilotage.
In this video we take two pilots out to the Aquamarine Ace onboard the pilot boat Collingwood, pushing through seriously choppy water on a bitter, stormy morning. You’ll see the full run out to sea, the swell hitting the bow, the hailstorm rolling in, and the precision teamwork that gets the pilots safely across in...
Video Sea Pilot Transfer by Northern Helicopter (Germany)
published on 8 May 2025
Article Norway’s Seas Become Home for a Young Woman - Norway´s First Female Maritime Pilot
by Mauri Moore Shuler - published on 4 August 2022
Video Entry Mangalia Shipyard
published on 13 April 2022
Video ETA and EMPA Efficient and safe towage operations
published on 31 August 2022
The European Tugowners Association in collaboration with the European Maritime Pilots Association has produced this informative video on efficient and safe towage operations. These guidelines address the main factors affecting the safety of harbour towage operations such as good communications between pilots, ship captains and tugmasters.
Video Lyndon Clark - Marine Pilot, discusses his experience, adblue shortage and more
published on 19 January 2022
Lyndon Clark - Marine Pilot, responsible for conning some of the largest ships in the world and safely docking them into Sydney Harbour, familiar with risk analysis, hazard identification and critical decision making, will discuss his experiences over the past 2 years, and some other information regarding adblue, and some possible solutions to protect your families as well.
