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...

Video "Ship's Pilot" - A poem by Gaylen K. Bunker

published on 13 February 2020

A wonderful poem As read by the author From his books "Poems" Sometimes it is good just to stop and enjoy a poem. This poem "Ship's Pilot" is read by the author himself. A valuable piece about the nature of the pilot.

0

Opinion New book on Ship manoeuvring techniques: "Theory and Practices of Marine Pilotage" by Capt. Santosha K Nayak

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 18 June 2020

This book investigates the science behind each component of manoeuvring a ship in confined waters, especially in port limits and the art to master it. Based on practical observations and analysis of each major and minor aspect of the manoeuvring of different types of vessels in different types of situations, this book put all relevant knowledge together for the reference of all concerned with pilotage and ship handling.

0

Video Those Who Serve: Columbia River bar pilots risk their lives to guide cargo ships

published on 5 April 2020

Columbia River Bar Pilots risk their lives every day and night to keep cargo ships moving across the dangerous Columbia River Bar. They work in any weather and help protect the environment by making sure the big ships do not crash on their way in or out of the river.
Story: on.kgw.com/2OHTBMH
Subscribe: https://on.kgw.com/2qjvmFg
Find KGW News online: https://www.kgw.com/

0

Video Illinois boat captain recalls treacherous winter voyage across Lake Michigan | ChicagoLIVE

published on 10 February 2026

A U.S. federal pilot shares his experience navigating icy waters on Lake Michigan.

0

Video River Pilot. Unmooring & mooring vessel operation. Safe approaching terminal.

published on 14 May 2020

Shifting a vessel from one harbor to other. Easy and safe maneuver. Turn area D=150m. Mooring area 110m.

0

Video Pilot Boat working close to shore, but not the best of weather.

published on 21 February 2022

Pilot Boat working close to shore, but not the best of weather.

0

Video Wind pure drift encounter - practical experiments for getting useful data

published on 8 July 2022

How to get information for wind & current limits to be potentially encountered by thrusters – or current? - this will be described in this movie:
- Measure Drift speed, due to beam wind with no propulsion;
- Measure drift speed using full thrusters
- Estimate wind & current limits to be potentially encountered by thrusters – or current...
- Finally there is a simple formula as Rule of Thumb: the transverse drift speed is about 7-8% of wind speed!

0

Video Hamburg Pilot Boats: "Lotse 1" and "Lotse 2"

published on 6 January 2025

Flotte Hamburg Pilot. Lotse 1/Lotse 2 (MMSI 211281010) Pilot Vessel. Tonnage 93. L. 23.2. W. 6.12. Built 1995. Heinrich Grube Schiffswerft. Flag Germany.

0

Article Noatum Maritime orders Artemis EF-12 foiling pilot boat

published on 5 May 2025

Northern Ireland-headquartered Artemis Technologies reports that Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, is to purchase a state-of-the-art 100% electric Artemis EF-12 foiling pilot boat to operate in the United Arab Emirates.

0

Video Niugini Pilots Limited Profile Video OFFICIAL

published on 6 January 2021

Niugini Pilots Limited is Papua New Guinean owned Marine Pilotage company operating in Papua New Guinea that was established by our Chief Pilot and Managing Director, Captain Max Taikika Stoessel.
This video highlights our company's work and operations on a daily basis with a short interview with Capt. Max.

0