Trainee Marine Pilot

The 400-metre-long container giant "Mumbai Maersk" has run aground in the North Sea tidal flats and must be towed free. The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies was basing its hopes on the high tide at around two o'clock in the morning of Friday night. The night before, an attempt to tow the freighter free had failed. The high water on Thursday afternoon was also too low. In addition, more powerful tugs are still needed.

Jeanerette, LA – November 14th, 2019: Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two new pilot boats to New Orleans-based operator Belle Chasse Marine Transportation, LLC (BCMT).

Surely, the new invention also reduced the amount of time and hands (manpower) previously required to perform such a task. Now those idling "extra hands" could dedicate the "extra time" that was made available, to take care of other issues important for the community.

I am not a computer savvy. My knowledge in programming and robotics and those sort of things is nil. I get lost in the sea of social media and easily entangle myself in the web. All I have done for the last 25 years or so is to pilot ships through the Panama Canal. However, during the last couple of years I have done my best to catch up with technology, since it has enhanced our possibilities and improved safety in our field. But still, I have to admit that I am way behind the new guys in this important issue.

Baltic Workboat Pilot Shop, American Workboats Shipyard

River Bann pilots transfer from Athos to pilot vessel Ulidia at Barmouth, River Bann. N. Ireland

This is a short video of the Hamburg Pilot boarding Queen Mary 2. These people make it look easy but, it is a dangerous manoeuvre.

On November 17th 2020 Port Everglades Pilot Mark Ruppert brought the ship Zhen Hua 25 into Port Everglades. The ship was loaded with 3 huge gantry cranes, a crucial part of the port expansion project.
Found on YouTube. Filmed and produced by Captain Carl Mahler
Editor's note: Great video but where is the life jacket? 1:36

The latest edition of The New Zealand Pilot has been published (link in article).

The Bahamas has imposed a compulsory maritime pilot rule for all vessels, including cruise ships, at its ports since September 2025.