Opinion

Conversation with Brett Monthie, a Tampa Bay harbor pilot


by Tampy Bay Times - published on 13 January 2021 434 -

This article was written by Philip Morgan and was already published by "Tampa Bay Times" on 26. December 2020.
Photo by Brett Monthie.


Link to the original and full article below.

When your mission is guiding ships through congested waters

Conversation with Brett Monthie a Tampa Bay harbor pilot graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

After spending years at sea, Brett Monthie had to chart the channels in Tampa Bay from memory in order to become a Tampa Bay harbor pilot. And then he spent 30 months in training. He’s one of 13 full pilots and six deputy pilots in the Tampa Bay Pilots Association. They guide the ships safely through the bay.

It’s an exacting job, and a dangerous one, considering Monthie has to hop from the pilot boat to the rope ladder hanging down the side of a ship – or from the ladder to the pilot boat – all while both vessels are traveling at about 10 knots. Monthie loves the work.

“It’s a blast. I mean, I have to pinch myself every day,’' he said.

The 36-year-old harbor pilot, a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, talked with the Tampa Bay Times about his job.

Climbing a rope ladder 30 or more feet up to and down from the main deck of a ship has to be a harrowing experience.
Harrowing I guess is a good word to describe it, because we’ve lost – not Tampa personally – but we’ve lost, out of the 1,200 pilots in the U.S., we’ve had two in the last eight months and three in the last year that have had incidents on ladders (and) passed away.

Does it mostly happen when a pilot falls from the ladder and is caught between the ship and pilot boat?
Yes, typically that’s the case.… Most of the time our boats, once we get on the ladder, they peel away from the ship to avoid that.

Climbing a rope ladder isn’t easy, is it?
No, it’s not easy. Usually going up, to me, is easier. You just look straight up and you go. Coming down is actually a little trickier. You really want to have three points of contact on that (ladder) at all times if you can. And the farther down you go, it almost becomes like a pendulum.… You’re coming off the side of the ship and almost swinging with every step.
Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Improve comfort, safety and maneuvering with Humphree.

published on 24 September 2020

By using Humphree's trim and stabilization system, you will reduce resistance, fuel consumption and environmental impact. It also means that the best possible performance and stability is achieved.

Humphree USA reports that it has won numerous orders this year for its automatic stabilization technology in the North American pilot boat segment, with nine new boats either delivered or under construction for eight different pilot associations.

0

Opinion Heroes or Hostages?

by Ivana-Maria Carrioni-Burnett - published on 1 October 2020

“Definitions": ‘Hero’: person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities OR person greatly admired for their exceptional qualities or achievements

‘Hostage’: person seized or held for the fulfilment of a condition OR person who is illegally held prisoner until certain demands are met by others

0

Video Lyttelton Port Company Dredge Optimisation

published on 14 October 2019

An overview of the work that has been done to enable larger ships to call at Lyttelton, New Zealand.

0

Opinion The 2023 review of Pilot Transfer Arrangement Regulations, a chance for innovation?

by Herman Broers - published on 2 January 2023

In the spring of 2023, the IMO Sub-commission on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) may start a process of review and amendments to the SOLAS Ch V. reg 23

1

Video Zé Peixe - The extraordinary pilot from Port of Aracaju, Brazil

published on 23 December 2021

Who knwos Zé Peixe? What makes Zé Peixe a rare species is the way he works: he swims to fetch the ship, while his colleagues use a support boat. And when he takes the ship out of the harbour, instead of returning by boat he jumps into the sea.

0

Video Amazing drone video: Berthing a 230m Bulker in Puerto Brisas (Colombia)

published on 5 April 2020

Using two, 66TBP tugs to assist in berthing the 90,000 GT bulker “Jin Weng Feng”. The port is “Puerto Brisas” at La Guajira, Colombia. The vessel is turned to port just outside the berth limits due to limited room in the basin with enough depth. Then she’s backed in.

0

Video PILOT ON BOARD VIA HELICOPTER

published on 23 August 2021

0

Video How Port Expansions Affect Pilot Safety? Wave Study Reveals Key Insights | Marine Engineers

published on 23 May 2025

How Port Expansions Affect Pilot Safety? Wave Study Reveals Key Insights Why This Works: Targets high-search terms (port expansion, pilot safety, LNG terminal, wave study). Uses provocative question + data-driven hook ("Study Reveals"). Mentions tools (ADCP) and key infrastructure (LNG terminal) for technical audiences. ⚓ **How Safe Are Pilots After Port Expansions? Wave Dynamics Study** This research analyzes **wave distribution at a pilot station** using **ADCP and buoy data** to assess...

1

Video Insight into the work of the Italian pilots in Venice

published on 8 May 2021

After crossing the Atlantic Ocean and entered in the Mediterranean sea it is time to call the pilots at Chioggia/Venice, Italy.

0

Video Pilot Boat Operations at Port of Tyne

published on 6 June 2025

Witness the Historic D/S Hestmanden at the Port of Tyne Experience the majestic arrival and departure of the D/S Hestmanden, Norway's cherished steamship, as she graces the Port of Tyne. This video captures the seamless pilotage operations, showcasing the collaboration between the ship and local maritime pilots. About D/S Hestmanden: Built: 1911 by Laxevaags Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri in Bergen, Norway Length: 59.47 meters | Beam: 9.17 meters Tonnage: 755 gross tons | DWT: 965 tons...

0