Marine Pilot Loading Master

In just two decades from now, half of all domestic ships plying Japan’s coastal waters may be piloting themselves. That’s the ambitious goal of the Nippon Foundation, a public-interest organization backing the country’s development of ocean-traversing autonomous ships. It aims to see crewless ships make up 50% of Japan’s local fleet by 2040.

In it´s August 2022 monthly safety scenario, the Swedish Club describes an accident where a pilot had fallen into the water, after one of the side ropes of the ladder broke.

Pilotage to the port of Vitoria, Brazil. This video was taken on 26.04.2021.

Capt Ertan Ozgur, Various maneuvering and Pilotage, time-lapse records from Gemlik Bay

Advanced automation has been highlighted as contributory to several accidents involving modern bridge support systems and automation aiding maritime pilots for maneuvering and navigation. This paper argues for reskilling for automation collaboration.

It has been exactly one year ago that a pilot from Sandy Hook (New York), Dennis Sherwood, died in the line of duty while attempting to board the container vessel Maersk Kensington.
What has happened since then? Has safety been improved for the pilots?

Take a ride!
On the "EDDAFJORD" it goes in time-lapse through the Great Sea Lock in Emden down the Ems. Video courtesy of the captain.

Short time lapse video of the lauching of Pilot Boat Stainsby prior to her delivery triop to PD Ports at Teesport Middlesbrough. She is a 16m Pilot Boat designed by Camarc Design and built by Holyhead Marine.