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 Captain Brown, Harbor Pilot (1950)

published on 6 January 2025

The film "Captain Brown Harbor Pilot" depicts the crucial role of harbor pilots in safely navigating large ships into ports, particularly during foggy conditions. It follows Bob, who learns from his Uncle Captain Brown about the various signals, equipment, and safety measures involved in harbor navigation. The film emphasizes the importance of pilots, who are trained to manage the complexities of harbor traffic, communicate with ships, and ensure safe docking. Viewers also see the...

0

Video Maritime Pilot Tribute (Cape Cod Canal)

published on 2 December 2019

Training sometimes years, the pilots of the world never get enough credit...especially those of the Cape Cod Canal! This ones for you! Compiled from video taken over the past 4 years, this features a unique collection of various types of vessels that go through the canal. Enjoy!

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 A day on a tugboat, time lapse edition

published on 25 May 2020

An entire day caught in a time lapse. Up and down the river twice.
Cool prospective 12000 TEU ship Turing min 2:00. !

0

Video Bulkcarrier HEIDE OLDENDORFF to EECV jetty in Europoort, Port of Rotterdam

published on 1 March 2023

On a windy morning, the incoming bulker HEIDE OLDENDORFF transited the Eurochannel underway to the EECV jetty west side, at 18 meters draft. With the assistance of FairPlay Towage, KRVE linesmen, and the excellent crew of the ship, we had. Very pleasant voyage.

0

Video Extreme scale model testing of the T-2000 hull design

published on 1 March 2023

We’re doing another day of testing with the self-propelled scale model of T-2000. Obviously the conditions here do comprehensively exceed the designs operational envelope, as in scale proportion to the model, the waves must be I guess around 10-20 metres in size. However it’s interesting to understand the designs ultimate limits. The model is built to a scale of fourteen to one, and this equals 20 metres in real life size. Later, by slowing down the video, so that it matches the speed of...

0

Video Pilotage with PPU (Portable Pilot Unit) - Indonesia

published on 16 December 2021

assalamualaikum wr wb buat yang penasaran nih sama alat yang suka saya bawa kalo kerja, ini tampilannya ya teman2 terimakasih wassalamualaikum wr wb salma steady as she goes #berharap #pulih #harbourtug #pelabuhan

0

Video Disembarking of Danpilot at Skagen V73

published on 15 June 2020

Enjoy the tour from Bridge to Pilot ladder, disembarking of Danpilot.

0

Article 11.05.2020 - Vessel Grounding in Singapore Strait, Sector 8, Area VTS Singapore

by Capt. Gunter Schütze, Thailand/Germany - published on 28 May 2020

On May 11, 2020, in the early morning hours, the news went around the world that two serious marine casualties occurred in sector 8 of Singapore Street within 6 minutes.

0

Article Med Marine Delivers Two Med-16 Pilot Boats To Nigeria

published on 5 May 2021

Med Marine and IBK Ltd. signed a two-vessel contract for MED-P16 series last November for Nigerian Ports Authority’s operations in Lagos, Nigeria. A year after that, Nigerian Ports Authority takes the delivery of the two high- quality pilot boats. Both units have been despatched on a specialised transport vessel to Nigeria from Turkey.

0