Incident on 31 January 2020 : A rope of the pilot ladder breaks. Pilot could still reach the vessel

The Maryland Board of Pilots has decided to enact a rule change that forbids on-duty pilots from using their phones.

Around 11 am local time yesterday (21 February), a pilot fell into the sea while boarding the feeder vessel Blue Ocean, which is operated by Shanghai Jinjiang Shipping on a China-Taiwan service.

State regulators on Friday banned cargo ship pilots from using personal cellphones on Maryland waters. The Maryland Board of Pilots, which oversees cargo ship pilots, approved a rule change 10 months after, and in direct response to, the Ever Forward's weekslong grounding in the Chesapeake Bay. Instead of leading the team on the bridge of the Ever Forward, the pilot was on his phone for an hour, texting, sending emails and taking screenshots before running aground and getting stuck for 45...

A cargo ship lost power while approaching the dock at the Port of Tampa Thursday. Officials said quick thinking by harbor pilots and tug boats got it under control.

A 35-year-old male sea pilot of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) fell into the sea from a crude oil tanker near the N Shed Wharf in the port of Durban. A rope of the pilot ladder is said to have snapped for an undetermined reason when the man disembarked while leaving the crude oil tanker which was leaving the port of Durban.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas leaving St Thomas pilot Boat 1/20/22

Itajai, Brazil. Photo and video

Oct. 13, 2022
Harbor pilot departing the NCL Prima in rough seas.

@Captain Ertan Ozgur, Senior Maritime Pilot

The SW England Branch debates the varied and critical role of the Harbourmaster.