Step back in time to the height of Britain's maritime influence with this look at the unsung heroes of the shipping industry: the sea pilots. In the 1960s, as global trade patterns shifted and shipping technology began its rapid evolution, British sea pilots remained the vital, trusted guides navigating the world’s most complex waterways. From the treacherous currents of the River Mersey to the bustling ports of the coast, these men held the legal conduct of massive vessels in their hands,...
Among the few marine professions that purse a man's technical skills and value very high, maritime piloting perhaps is in a class of its own. In this career, the pilot is entrusted to maneuver vessels through some of the most challenging and congested waterways while ensuring seamless integration between shipboard operations and port infrastructure.
It turns out that supertankers and cruise ships have valets. They're called maritime pilots, and they're among the most elite ship handlers in the world. So where does one go to learn how to park the largest ships in the world? To the Maritime Pilots Institute in Covington, La. There, they use mini-versions of the behemoth boats to teach the basics. All aboard!
What does it mean to be a harbor pilot? More info here: http://gothamist.com/2016/05/26/video_ny_harbor_pilot.php Starring Robert J. Blake, Jr. Video by Jessica Leibowitz Produced by Jessica Leibowitz and Shayla Love MORE GOTHAMIST FILMS Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/Gothamist Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/Gothamist GOTHAMIST ACROSS THE WEB Gothamist.com: http://gothamist.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gothamist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/gothamist Instagram: https:/...
