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 All aspects of a spectacular and previously unpublished maritime tradition are considered, not forgetting the competitions between pilots to be the best crews.
Read more...
Opinion Why do we see so many unapproved and low-quality pilot ladders?
by Frank Diegel - published on 4 September 2020
Video Pilot Boat Ride in Port Huron, Freighter Captain
published on 8 July 2024
We had an amazing opportunity to go on a pilot boat with Captain Erick Gallagher and Captain Danny Gallagher, where we got a peek into their exciting jobs! Pilot boats transport maritime pilots between land and inbound or outbound ships. Video by bluewater.org, Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Article Murphy's law on pilot boarding - Arie Palmers
by Arie Palmers - published on 20 July 2021
Video Pilot Vessel "KOON". La Plata, Argentina
published on 9 November 2021
Article Operational notes & recommendations on Portable Pilot Units (PPU)
by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 2 December 2021
Article PTR Holland Group Joins RightShip’s Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program
published on 19 August 2025
Video Fast Time Simulation of manoeuvres - SAMMON
published on 24 November 2020
This video shows the underlying principles of the SAMMON software tools based on Fast Time Simulation of manoeuvres. It describes very shortly some of the features for manoeuvring planning and conning / monitoring with danymic prediction which are shown in more detail in the other movies on this channel.
