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

Today we have talked to Olli Taipale, Chief Pilot at Finnpilot.

Ever wonder what it would be like to work on a Tugboat? Come along a for glimpse of one day at work in New York Harbor.

1:19 What is the history? 2:14 If we fast forward to the modern era, what has changed? 3:00 How have things impacted the modern Captain? 3:33 What are the typical laws on the subject in some countries? 4:05 How is it different from other leadership positions? 5:34 What needs to change? Blog - https://www.melvinmathews.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melvin-mathews/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/melvinsmathews Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melvin.mathews.37 Instagram - https:...

There are some problems that never seem to go away and one is the perennial difficulties in providing a safe way of getting pilots on and off a ship.

On October 11, 2018, the Kristin Alexis was performing fleeting work with a crew of six, including a captain, pilot, and four deckhands (two per shift), at the Cooper Consolidated fleeting facility at Convent located at mile 161.5. About 2300, the Cooper Consolidated dispatcher informed the Kristin Alexis captain that their next job was to move the derrick-type crane barge Mr Ervin upriver to the Cooper Consolidated fleeting facility in Darrow, located at mile 175.

“The current plight many seafarers are facing, unable to crew change or return home, is being described by many voices within the maritime community as the next humanitarian crisis.”

China has already submitted proposals to the IMO regarding changes to SOLAS, Chapter 23, and IMO A.1045(27) in early 2021.

This expert article is based on a presentation given by Capt. Pilot Sven Stemmler at the MCN's (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e. V. ) event ‘On the Future of the Pilot Profession’ at Fraunhofer CML in Hamburg on 9 September 2025.

The busy Strait of Messina which separates the island of Sicily from the Italian mainland is now home to a new pilot boat, manufactured by Bellcraft and powered by Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS).

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas leaving St Thomas pilot Boat 1/20/22