The Ampelmann L-type gangway system

Estuary Services crew Andrew Howland (coxswain) and Wayne Goldfinch (deckhand) transferring PLA pilot, Stephen Ford on an approx. eight-mile trip from Ramsgate to board the tanker Songa Breeze at the NE Goodwin pilot boarding ‘diamond’. Departing at 0955 on 20 April 2020, they steered an easterly course to reach the ship by 1030. Weather: wind North Easterly F6, sea state moderate to rough, visibility 10 nautical miles. Footage: ESL Edit: Theo Albanis, Port of London Authority Music:...

Bulk Carrier Ship "SBI ZEUS" / On board Pilot Vessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES" #ZonaComún #ZonaComúnAnchorageArea #RioDeLaPlata #Argentine #Summer #Vivaldi #TheFourSeasons #MariSamuelsen Buque de Transporte a Granel "SBI ZEUS" / A bordo de la Lancha de Prácticos "CATAMARÁN ANTARES" - Zona Común - Fodeadero Zona Común, Río de La Plata #Argentina This video was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "CATAMARÁN ANTARES" and shows the moments when the Pilot Boat proceeded to the #BoardingStation #ZonaComún...

In early December, just as I was starting to get into ship spotting, I saw a couple of vessels headed up river towards Philly. One of them, the Cielo di Iyo met with the harbor pilot right as I had my drone up. I was able to capture the Pilot coming to meet the vessel and CLIMBING the ladder to get on board just before she passed beneath the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Pilot transfer arrangement is a sensitive topic to be discussed among the pilot’s fraternity. Although ships are designed and operated with compliance to the SOLAS requirements in all respects including the pilot transfer arrangements, there has been numerous deficiencies observed related to pilot transfer arrangements. The small deficiencies from the part of ships cause life threatening accidents for pilots and sometimes to the ship staff themselves. There are many instances of defective ladder and complacency in proper rigging of ladders has been reported almost every day in different parts of the world. Many pilots lost their life, severely injured for life and face many minor to major accidents. The latest incident being the Capt. Timothy Murray of Sandy hooks Pilot.

Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

An article by Arie Palmers highlights his collaboration with Multraship to develop a solution aimed at enhancing the safety of pilot boarding on harbor tugs, ultimately reducing delays.

The desire to improve efficiency and crew comfort has resulted in a new approach to hull design. Built from the ground up this new Pilot Boat design utilises an Extra Long Waterline (XLW) to maximise the waterline length.