We chatted on Monday afternoon, the eve of October 12. "When you work shifts, you don't take holidays into account and don't worry about when they are. We pilots do 73 shifts a year. Tomorrow it's my turn. I'm used to it. I work 24 hours and I get off the next four days. That's why there are five of us. If a seaman or a skipper is on sick leave, it is possible to find a replacement, but replacing a pilot is complicated," Walter del Río Corbeira analyzes. He is 47 years old (he will be 48 on Halloween), father of two children aged 15 and 12, and grew up in Agra do Orzán. "Although there is no tradition in my family, I always wanted to be a sailor. I studied at the Monte das Moas high school, and before that at the Emilia Pardo Bazán school. I remember riding the bus around Gran Canaria and passing by Nautica, where I finally ended up," he recalls. His first trip as a trainee student was to the Gulf of Guinea on a merchant ship carrying tropical timber. "We left from Pasajes. I remember it perfectly," emphasizes the senior pilot. "In A Coruña, the one who has been there the longest has this position. In other ports, such as Barcelona, there are elections. You could say that I represent the company in meetings with the Port Authority, among other things," explains Walter, who orders a decaffeinated coffee with milk.
We chatted on Monday afternoon, the eve of October 12. "When you work shifts, you don't take holidays into account and don't worry about when they are. We pilots do 73 shifts a year. Tomorrow it's my turn. I'm used to it. I work 24 hours and I get off the next four days. That's why there are five of us. If a seaman or a skipper is on sick leave, it is possible to find a replacement, but replacing a pilot is complicated," Walter del Río Corbeira analyzes. He is 47 years old (he will be 48 on Halloween), father of two children aged 15 and 12, and grew up in Agra do Orzán. "Although there is no tradition in my family, I always wanted to be a sailor. I studied at the Monte das Moas high school, and before that at the Emilia Pardo Bazán school. I remember riding the bus around Gran Canaria and passing by Nautica, where I finally ended up," he recalls. His first trip as a trainee student was to the Gulf of Guinea on a merchant ship carrying tropical timber. "We left from Pasajes. I remember it perfectly," emphasizes the senior pilot. "In A Coruña, the one who has been there the longest has this position. In other ports, such as Barcelona, there are elections. You could say that I represent the company in meetings with the Port Authority, among other things," explains Walter, who orders a decaffeinated coffee with milk.
Video The Port Authority of Jamaica | Critical Services - Pilotage
published on 15 April 2021
Pilotage is compulsory in all Jamaican ports and is a necessity for the safe passage and docking of ships entering and leaving the harbours. No ship or vessel can enter our Ports without the #PortAuthorityJa’s pilotage services. #MarinePilots, being the experts in local conditions, are required to assist in the navigation and manoeuvring of vessels in our channels and port areas and are dispatched to all ports in Jamaica on a 24 hour basis. Our #PilotBoatCrew ensures that Marine Pilots are...
Video Robust pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium
published on 7 August 2020
These are some of the reliable sturdy Pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium to bring and pick up Marine Pilots to and from commercial merchant vessels either inbound or outbound. The Marine Pilots are licensed PROFESSIONALS who have a thorough knowledge of a certain port and they guide the Master/Captain of commercial ships in and out of the foreign Seaport. Location: Steenbank Pilot Station, Flushing/Vlissingen Pilot Station, Wandelaar Pilot Station. Boats in order of appearance in this...
Video Transit of the Panama Canal with an XDF LNG Carrier on the Newly expanded locks under pilotage
published on 19 December 2020
Join me as we transit through the Panama Canal from the North-East side to the South-West. An interesting vlog on how an XDF LNG carrier transits through the newly expanded Panama Canal.Find out its history and which vessel and Captain transited the Canal on its opening day on the 15th of August 1914.The interaction with the Pilot Captain Arnulfo Cepetno who assist me on transit the Cocoli locks.
Video Pilot Boarding Ship In Rough Waves
published on 16 March 2022
Marine pilot boarding ship A marine pilot, also called maritime pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway, licensed or authorised by a recognised pilotage authority. When a ship needs to enter or leave a harbor, marine pilots are sent aboard via a small pilot boat to safely navigate the...
Opinion Checklist of Root-Cause Pilot fall from the ships Ladder
by Nasir Khan - published on 5 August 2022
Article Updated Marine Safety Information by U.S. Coast Guard
published on 6 November 2020
U.S. Coastgard has published an update of their Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements in latest Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB).
"Recent deaths of maritime pilots while embarking commercial vessels highlight the risks of operating in an
unforgiving maritime environment. To ensure the safety of all personnel boarding a vessel at sea, the Coast
Guard reminds vessel owners and operators of the requirements contained in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 23 and strongly recommends that owners and operators follow the recommendations within IMO Resolution A.1045(27) – Pilot Transfer Arrangements. "