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...

Opinion "A Pilot Ladder has its Price!" - Statement of Joris J. Stuip (PTR Holland)

by PTR Holland® B.V. - published on 10 February 2020

Please read this statement of Joris J. Stuip from PTR Holland, Partner of Marine-Pilots.com.

We are happy to receive your comments in our new "comment section"!

Why do we see so many unapproved and low-quality pilot ladders? The answer is invariably price. OK, we all like a bargain, but ...

0

Video Women Pilots at the Port of Houston with Howard Middleton and the First Woman Pilot Holly Cooper

published on 17 December 2025

By 2001, the Houston Pilots led the way in hiring minorities and women, and a few years later it formed a nonprofit called Anchor Watch, to offer scholarships to maritime students in need and boost opportunities for minority and women candidates. Captain Holly Cooper joined the Houston Pilots in 1994 as the group’s 151st pilot and the first woman to begin training as a deputy.

0

Video Port Everglades Harbor Pilot Kaitlyn Robbins undocking the BSG BAHAMAS.

published on 15 October 2026

Port Everglades Harbor Pilot Kaitlyn Robbins undocking the BSG BAHAMAS.
Join me as I tag along with my friend and fellow pilot as she undocks this 850 foot containership in Port Everglades, FL.
#harborpilot #ship #maritime #containership #porteverglades #tug #pilotboat

0

Video Boarding a Tanker as a Deep Sea Pilot Cherbourg, France

published on 27 August 2026

Boarding a tanker as a Deep Sea Pilot in Cherbourg, France. ⚓🚢
Pilot transfer and the start of another voyage at sea.
#DeepSeaPilot #Tanker #Cherbourg #Maritime #ShipLife

0

Video Senior Pilot Captain ERTAN OZGUR performing departure of MSC MARYLENA

published on 2 January 2023

SENIOR PILOT CAPTAIN ERTAN OZGUR performing departure maneuvering of MSC co ship MSC MARYLENA. She has bowthruster, right handed pitch propeller. She will be using 2 tugboats.

1

Article Work profile of maritime pilots in Germany

published on 27 December 2021

Long and irregular shifts, unforeseeable operations and high responsibility are still prominent in the job of a pilot and pose high psycho-physical demands.

1

Video No easy boarding: Halifax Pilot Boat In Rough Weather

published on 14 October 2020

The Halifax Pilot Boat recovering a Pilot from a cruise ship in some rough weather
#pilotboat #pilotboats #pilot #halifax #roughweather #boat #boats #halifaxharbour #halifaxnovascotia #novascotia #marinepilot #maritimepilot #nautical #bigwaves #roughseas #ship #ships

0

Video IMPA receives the 2022 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award

by SAFETY4SEA - published on 20 October 2022

International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) received the 2022 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award for conducting annually its ‘Pilot Ladder Safety Campaign’ with the objective of reporting pilots’ experiences of ladders and boarding equipment to the IMO and the wider shipping community. Other distinguished short-listed nominees of this category were: Inmarsat, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Safetytech Accelerator and Seafarers Hospital Society. We are honored to be...

1

Video Embarking Maneuver CABO VÍRGENES

published on 4 May 2022

Crude Oil Tanker Ship "CABO VÍRGENES" / #PilotVessel "SEA MASTER" #BoardingPoint #JoinPoint #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata - Embarking Maneuver of Rio de la Plata #Pilots / 02nd. May 2022. This video was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" and shows the Crude Oil Tanker Ship "CABO VÌRGENES" when she was arriving at #JP #Recalada to embark the Rio de la Plata Pilots Special thanks to the Master of the Crude Oil Tanker Ship "CABO VÍRGENES", Mr. Gonzalo HUICI, his Officers and the rest of...

0