PILOT ON CONTRACT BASIS

What do you think about this unsafe manoeuvre?

Gibraltar Pilots have chosen a new Seaward Nelson 35 as their next Pilot vessel.

Knowing the practical, seaworthy reliability of the Nelson 35 design, it was only natural that Gibraltar Pilots selected the UK builder, Seaward, for their new vessel.

Editor's note:
We are curious about the opinions on this type of boarding.
This is Pilot Boat GENESIS from Australia.

Die Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe ist ein geschlossener Kreis, der sich nicht gern in die Karten schauen lässt. Wer dort Mitglied werden und bis zu 400 Meter lange Containerpötte in den Hamburger Hafen steuern möchte, muss hohe Anforderungen erfüllen. Bewerber müssen mehrere Jahre lang zur See gefahren sein, um ausreichend Fahrpraxis zu haben. Aber es gibt immer weniger deutsche Seeleute, weil die Reeder billigere Kräfte aus dem Ausland bevorzugen. Dadurch wird es zunehmend schwierig,...

Boluda Towage started towing services at the German port of Lubmin for the first installation of a floating LNG storage plant.

Pilot Boarding in a coaster ship 4K.

“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

This expert article is based on a presentation given by Capt. Pilot Sven Stemmler at the MCN's (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e. V. ) event ‘On the Future of the Pilot Profession’ at Fraunhofer CML in Hamburg on 9 September 2025.