Marine Pilot

RC Nelson pilot boat

Manoeuvring large ships at close quarters and on shallow water is one of the most difficult aspects of shiphandling because of the complex hydraulic interactions depending on the ships' speeds, on the water depth and on lateral restrictions like in canals. Training is conducted both on meeting and on overtaking ships in shallow waters. This video shows how overtaking in a canal should be conducted: come in close to the stern and then move away from the bow that will be sucked towards your...

The Los Angeles Pilot Service has welcomed two new pilot boats, Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator, to the Port of Los Angeles. The 56-foot boats custom-built by Vigor Industrial made their way from Vancouver, Wash. to replace older pilot boats, Phineas Banning and Stephen M. White, which both served the Port of Los Angeles for more than 25 years and were recently retired. The new pilot boats are equipped with the latest safety, navigation, and fuel efficiency features designed to help the...

This ship is a legend: The pilot schooner "No. 5 Elbe" is the oldest operating seagoing ship in Hamburg. Furthermore, the "white lady" is a real beauty. That's why it's a tragedy what happened on Pentecost Saturday: The two-master collided with a container ship and sank!

A video by Capt. Pilot Nasir Khan, Pakistan
Why loud and clear communication is very important.

On the occasion of the Maritime Safety Week (July 4-10), UK MAIB’s inspector Bill Evans refers to the issue of unsafe pilot ladders, a concern that has been regularly voiced by the industry.

The mega containership M/V Ever Given which is free from the Suez Canal. Captain John Konrad discusses how they did it and what happens next! MV Ever Given Freed! Suez Canal Set for Reopeninghttps://gcaptain.com/mv-ever-given-freed-suez-canal-set-for-reopening/ Suez Chaos Will Take Months To Clear Says Maersk https://gcaptain.com/suez-chaos-will-take-months-to-clear-says-maersk/ New York’s Ever Given Crisis Is Bigger Than Egypt’s But Buttigieg Sits Silent https://gcaptain.com/destroy-city-...

In the video shared, made by the Coast Guard communication department during the training days held at the Decimomannu and Pescara bases, some of the phases of the training, such as take-off-departure and 'winching' the pilot on board, are illustrated in sequence.

The IMPA Safety Campaign will take place from 16th to 30th May 2025. We encourage all maritime pilots to take part, as your contribution is essential to the success of the campaign!