Video

Marine Pilot at work in the port of Hamburg


published on 17 April 2020 312 -

How do marine pilots work?

Example: Bringing a bulkcarrier alongside to „Hansaport“ in Hamburg.
Here the tugboats „Prompt“, „Resolute“ and „Bulldog“ are involved.
The master has to rely on the pilot. One reason is, that he can‘t know how to deal with these tugs.

A maneuver like this is only safe, when the pilot has a lot of practical experience. A master who is doing a maneuver like this only about once or twice a month and each time with tugs he doesn’t know in areas he hasn’t been to often before will be happy to have a pilot to rely on.

A pilot is happy with a master having confidence in him.
Anyway the master keeps his overriding authority at any time.
Does the master have to ask every 30 seconds „What are the tugs doing“? Should he be able to see it himself? Does the pilot have to explain every 30 seconds what the tugs are going to do or what he will do next?

Well, the pilot and the master should talk about the maneuver and expected challenges before it becomes difficult. During a time of high concentration the maneuver should not be interrupted by unnecessary explanation. Anyway, when the master feels unsafe, he will raise his voice at any time he wants to.
In this case the Master and pilot felt comfortable!

In times of corona we have to keep a social distance even to the master, so he couldn't stand directly next to me.
Germany

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Capt Girish Chandra AIMPA - All India Marine Pilots' Association, India
on 17 April 2020, 14:08 UTC

In addition to video, I really liked the article wrt expectations of Master and Pilots from each other. Very nicely described.
0

Read more...

Article Danish Butter Cookies...

by Marine Pilot Luis Vale, Portugal - published on 17 July 2019

Why “Danish Butter Cookies” are a part of the standard navigational equipment…

0

Video Port of Stockton: River Pilots

published on 17 December 2019

The San Francisco Bar Pilots are one of the important cogs in our supply chain wheel. They are tasked with boarding the vessels eleven miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge via a rope ladder often in rough seas and taking control of the vessels en route to the Port of Stockton. Once on the bridge of the ship, the Pilot oversees navigation and ensures the safe passage of ships into the Bay and through the Delta until it is secured alongside its berth at the Port. Without these Pilots the...

0

Video A Journey on Kiel Canal, Germany

published on 25 September 2022

Great film about sailing on Kiel Canal (NOK) in Germany.

5

Opinion Pilotage Wisdom

by Frank Diegel - published on 1 September 2020

"An old experienced pilot sometimes loses a ship by his assurance and over confidence of his knowledge, as effectually as a young pilot does by his ignorance and want of experience."
Let us remind ourselves every day of the principles of safe seamanship...

0

Video Time Lapse: Pilotage of an inbound LNG Carrier, Port of Rotterdam

published on 6 July 2019

Time Lapse Video: An inbound LNG carrier arrives at the Port of Rotterdam. At sea, in the Eurogeul channel, two maritime pilots have joined the vessel. Between the breakwaters four harbour tugs (Smit Harbour Towage) make fast to assist her manoeuvre. In the Beerkanaal channel the LNG carrier is stopped and swung before entering the Nijlhaven harbour. While approaching LNG Jetty 1 the ship's mooring lines are taken ashore by mooringboats (Koninklijke Roeiers Vereeniging Eendracht).
Pilot...

0

Article MAIB releases report into grounding and recovery of Thea II in Humber Estuary

published on 21 August 2020

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.

0

Video Zenith 54 - 16m Pilot Boat

published on 10 June 2026

The Zenith 54 Pilot Boat leads the way in performance and reliability. Designed for maximum efficiency and operator comfort, this 16m vessel reaches speeds over 30 knots, making it ideal for pilot transfers, crew transport, and ship assistance even in the most demanding conditions.
Crafted with a durable aluminium hull and wheelhouse, the design can be fully tailored to meet the specific operational needs of each client. We work closely with every end user, ensuring each vessel is designed...

0

Video Transfer Of Marine Pilots At Sea

published on 25 February 2020

This video briefly describes the special operation of transfer of marine pilots at sea.

0

Video Ketchikan Harbor Pilot (Canada) - on July 2026

published on 12 August 2026

Unedited video of Ketchikan harbor pilots being offloaded onto Ovation of the Seas in July 2026...filmed from the wing accessed via the Solarium.

0

Video Pilotage in Malaysia

published on 27 January 2022

#pelindo #pelabuhan #pelaut #kapal #maritime #Sungai siak #indahkiat #Perawang #Peakanbaru

0