History: Trinity House Buoys (1966)

Many people wonder how ships made it across entire oceans without getting lost in the seventeenth century. Aaron introduces seventeenth century navigation to us today by beginning with piloting.

Look at Life - City of Sailors - Portsmouth - 1965
Portsmouth is no longer the sea-faring city it once was; this film from the Documentary Series "Look At Life" Volume 5 - Cultural Heritage in 1965 looks at its changing face.

Let us start a journey back in time. Back to the black and white films of history. The times have changed, but it is good to know what kind of things have changed and where are the roots of pilotage.

Impatience is triggered when we have a set goal (for example berthing a vessel) but realise it's going to cost us more than we thought to reach it (the vessel is only making 6 knots against the tide and is taking much longer than predicted).

The arrival of machine learning and artificial intelligence has taken efficiency to a whole new level. Software platforms can now suggest maintenance routines, recommend spare-part changes, and even predict breakdowns of machinery.

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.
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Pilots are expert ship handlers who possess detailed knowledge of local waterways. They are transported by high speed "Pilot Boat" or helicopter from shore to an inbound ship and from an outbound ship back ashore. Most ports have compulsory pilotage.

They are very proud at Next Generation Shipyards in Lauwersoog; the brand-new tender for the Dutch Pilotage is ready in the harbor. Costs: 3.5 million euros.

Vessel's details: IMO: 9496915 Name: POLARIS Vessel Type - Generic: Pilot Vessel Vessel Type - Detailed: Special Vessel Status: Active MMSI: 245142000 Call Sign: PBZN Flag: Netherlands [NL] Gross Tonnage: 2501 Summer DWT: 890 t Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 81.2 x 13.3 m Year Built: 2012 Home Port: ROTTERDAM Geo location: 51.980840, 4.112364