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 Falmouth Pilots: Working as Maritime Pilot (Documentary 2019)

published on 30 March 2022

Documentary from 2019 by "The Sea Lad"

1

Video How Cargo Ships Navigate the World's Most Treacherous Bay

published on 10 December 2025

Play World of Warships for Free! Click my link to join the battle and unlock exclusive rewards. https://wo.ws/SamEckholm For over 150 years, the San Francisco Bar Pilots have guided the world’s largest ships through one of the most dangerous stretches of water anywhere on Earth. In this episode, I'm taking you out to sea with the pilots to see what it actually takes to navigate these vessels through the Golden Gate. Follow Along Here: --------------------------------------------- 📸...

1

Video A Day in the Life of a Marine Pilot

published on 2 April 2025

As an island nation, over 98% of Australia’s trade moves through ports. At the heart of the trade supply chain are the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) marine pilots. These highly skilled maritime professionals make sure the vessels carrying goods through our ports travel safely and efficiently. Take a look at a day in the life of an NQBP marine pilot at one of Queensland’s multi-commodity ports, the Port of Mackay. Read more https://nqbp.com.au/about-us/news/articles/a-day-in-...

0

Video How not to climb down a Pilot Ladder

published on 1 July 2020

The video was found on some social media channels in June 2020. When so many elementary mistakes are made and so many risks are taken, this is exactly what can happen! It's a demonstrative example of an unprofessional action: 1) Where is the life jacket? 2) No backpack on the shoulders. Use a rope to have the backpack lifted by the deck crew. 3) Where is the rest of the crew (on vessel / on the small boat) for safe assistance? What other mistakes have you discovered? We do not put videos...

0

Video Piloting the first wind turbines for Colombia

published on 5 July 2021

Impressive pictures from Colombia: MV Malcom arrived on June the 20th carrying the first wind generators for the "Guajira 1" project.

0

Video HMM - Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #11-Antwerp

published on 18 July 2020

#MaidenVoyage #HMMalgeciras #HMM
The maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #11-Antwerp
The beautiful sunset celebrates the first arriving of HMM Algeciras at Antwerp, Belgium. The first largest containership in the world head for London, the last city of the Europe route.

0

Video Wind Impact on Ships Turning Motion

published on 20 January 2021

This video complements the earlier demonstration of wind effect on straight track and shows now wind effect on turning circles. It can be seen that during a turn under strong wind the ship reduces turning when it comes close to equilibrium on straight track - if the Wind-to-ship speed ratio is big enough then the ship even goes straight instead of turning. This is shown for three samples for Head, Stern wind and Beam wind. The turning can be increased if the ratio of Wind speed-to-ship...

1

Video New Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" / Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK"

published on 27 April 2020

New Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" / On board Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK" - Arriving at #Recalada #BoardingStation #KM239_1 #PuntaIndioChannel #RioDeLaPlata #Argentine Nueva Lancha de Prácticos "SEA MASTER" / A bordo del Buque de Transporte a Granel "TAI HAWK" - Llegando a Recalada #EstaciónDeEmbarque KM 239,1 del Canal Punta Indio, del Río de La Plata #Argentina This video (original sound) was filmed on board Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK" (IMO Number: 9284556) and shows the moment when the...

0

Video Pilot boat BAHAR 8

published on 7 August 2024

0

Article Five questions for Esil Abibula, Head of Romanian Pilotage Department

published on 27 July 2023

In our section “Five questions for ..." Marine-Pilots.com introduces pilots and other market players to our readers in short interviews.

Today we have talked to Esil Abibula, Head of Romanian Pilotage Department.

3