Pilot boarding at night. Very experienced and smooth maneuver

Jeanerette, LA – November 14th, 2019: Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two new pilot boats to New Orleans-based operator Belle Chasse Marine Transportation, LLC (BCMT).

Delta Launch Services has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding (Duclos Corporation).

This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. Delivery of the new 52-footer is scheduled for July 2020.

Dublin Port Company has taken delivery of a new Pilot Boat, named DPC Tolka. The state-of-the art vessel arrived in Dublin Port having set sail from Great Yarmouth via Lowestoft, Dover, Gosport, Plymouth, Falmouth and Milford Haven.

Pilot boat at Velsen-Noord crew prepares to join cruise ship Norwegian Prima.

Despite clear regulations and regular maintenance requirements, safety often falls by the wayside, as the current example of a bulk carrier vividly demonstrates.

Oct. 13, 2022
Harbor pilot departing the NCL Prima in rough seas.

by "Mallu Sailor" on YouTube
Do you know how difficult to board a ship through pilot ladder.

It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders is secured by means of D-shackles, when secured at intermediate length. Previous research (Evans, 2020) has proven that this method has only about 50% of the strength of the pilot ladder when secured at full length (“double ended ladder”), or by means of the “endless-sling” method.

Article and pictures by Captain W J M Hargreaves, Retired Southampton Pilot

Port Everglades Pilots 54’ Pilot Boat No7
With 2x Humphree H750 Interceptors w/Active Ride Control