The Ampelmann L-type gangway system

Editor's note: The pilot boarding seems a bit improvised and unsafe to me, but that's certainly business as usual, isn't it?

During the transit time on the pilot launch between the shore and the vessel, marine pilots will spend at least a portion of that time carrying out (either consciously or subconsciously) a risk assessment of the forthcoming operation.

Delaware River Pilot Boat Cape Henlopen Transfers Pilot to Cargo Ship Al Wathba - Delaware River - Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania - June 6, 2025

A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, bar pilot, or simply pilot, is a sailor who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards.

As we all know there is a new regulation established since July 2012, this new regulation refers to pilot transfer arrangements. There are other yearly safety campaigns such as IMPA that include SOLAS V.23 and IMO Resolution A 1045 and Resolution A.1108(29). Unfortunately, in this annual overview there were some accidents reported that could have been avoided.

On April 20, 2026, the Columbia River Bar Pilots conducted a MOB drill with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Astoria.

The maritime sector is experiencing a significant shift due to escalating environmental issues, changing regulatory frameworks, and heightened public demands for sustainability. During this transformation, marine pilots are essential;

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Ministry.for.restoration/posts/pfbid0ZSy9XuEdn8JFe38SCxhieyeLipRuwSE1V3LyzmAuyiGr5GiPAyXfR621vGWnuX8Vl?__cft__[0]=AZWwdGxJa-cQ4D72bQsr4qQjihMs4JfiQsAj9VMhhX55nVSFb0_pApBcc P2q_sfI7y6ppoPJUEA5DRnesMF4WWJL3JtuFHBtmHCjQ0ZjsVpI5S732ivCj_Y1Iu6SF8D58sJjZAKAzDQJWtRG_YQgcGeO&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/frantsiya-peredala-ukrayini-lotsmanskyj-kater/ https://www.shipphotos.co.uk/ship/?ship=pilotine103 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:...

Tampa Bay Pilot

UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published grounding and recovery of a container feeder vessel and a tug in the approaches to the Humber Estuary in storm force conditions on 15 December 2018.