Video

“Harbor Pilot” 1960s Los Angeles Harbor Freighters & Ships Education Film

published on 25 June 2020 - 933 -

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Harbor Pilot is a short film from 1967 that gives viewers a brief look at what a harbor pilot is and does. The film opens with footage of a sailboat sailing at sea, followed by a shot of a rocky coastline (01:10) and then an aerial view of a modern harbor — the Port of Los Angeles. A large freight ship, SS Gemstone, is out at sea. A harbor pilot stands on land at the Port of Los Angeles, looking out over the harbor. He walks into the pilot station at the entrance to the harbor to check the schedule. He looks through a telescope for an incoming ship (02:35). The pilot walks out onto the dock and climbs into the pilot boat, which he then steers to the incoming ship (03:49). The harbor pilot climbs out of the boat and up the side of the ship. On the bridge, he meets with the ship’s captain and tells the man at the wheel where to go to stay in deep water. The ship moves in toward the docks with the assistance of tugboats (05:10). The film shows several different kinds of buoys out in the harbor. A big dredging machine dredges the harbor (06:25); sand and rocks are pumped through a pipe and onto land. Viewers see ships as they pass each other in the harbor (07:00). A tugboat pushes the ship sideways to get it next to the dock. A heavy rope is lowered from the ship and is tied to the dock. The harbor pilot stands on another large ship as it leaves port and moves through harbor out to sea. A pilot boat comes out to the ship to get the harbor pilot and take him back to shore (08:59). The harbor pilot stands at the bow of the pilot boat as it moves back to port.A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, bar pilot, or simply pilot, is a sailor who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards.Normally, the pilot joins an incoming ship prior to the ship's entry into the shallow water at the designated "pilot boarding area" via helicopter or pilot boat and climbs a pilot ladder sometimes up to 40 feet (~12 metres) to the deck of the largest container and tanker ships. Climbing the pilot ladder can be dangerous, even more so in rough seas considering that both the ship to be piloted and the pilot's own vessel are usually both moving. With outgoing vessels, a pilot boat returns the pilot to land after the ship has successfully negotiated coastal waters. The film was made by Arthur Evans, John and Barbara Upton, and Walter Soul, and released by Bailey Films.

USA

Los Angeles Port Pilots

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Article A journey back in time: films of pilotage from 1940 to 1975 (USA, UK and Germany)

by Frank Diegel - published on 18 May 2020

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.

Article Los Angeles Pilot Service Commissions Two New Pilot Boats

published on 15 October 2020

The Los Angeles Pilot Service ordered two customized 56′ Camarc Design pilot boats (P/B) built by Vigor Industrial at their Vancouver, WA facility, located on the northern side of the Columbia River. The LA Pilot Service took delivery of the P/B Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator at Vigor’s shipyard on Swan Island in Portland, Oregon in early October.

Video Look at Life - Pilot Aboard 1963

published on 17 December 2019

Look at Life Vol 01 Transport Pilot Aboard 1963
The story of Britain's pilotage services.

Article Get the IMPA Safety Campaign App

by IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association - published on 30 September 2022

The IMPA Safety Survey 2022 is just a few days away! You can submit your reports from 1st to 15th October.

Video Golden Ray Salvage: Last Section Removed on 10/25/2021

published on 28 October 2021

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Video Maritime Pilot•Haluan Kapal

published on 10 August 2022

Video Ship Pilotage to Dunkirk Harbour BreakWater.

published on 11 May 2022

Ships Arrival from Dunkirk Pilot Boarding Ground to Dunkirk Breakwaters Captured.How the Pilots boards the Ships.How the Tugs are made Fast.
Beautiful Entrance to Dunkirk Harbour.
@JeffHK @Karanvir Singh Nayyar
#Dunkirk #SeaPilotboarding #TugBoats #Dunkerque #HistoricPortWWII

Video Example of Covid-19 protection in India (Pilot Boat)

published on 2 July 2020

Pilot disembarkation from ship (kakinada)
Editors note:
The shown protections are very massive in our opinion.
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Video Crossing a narrow channel in Haldia, India ft. Reshma Nilhofer

published on 27 June 2021

Journey of a cargo ship(Bulk carrier) from Chittagong 🇧🇩 to Haldia 🇮🇳 Ship is being manoeuvered in Haldia water and through a narrow lock gate passage. India's first and only female marine pilot Reshma Nilofer Naha sharing her experience of operating in Haldia waters. #shipping #maritime #cargoship #pilot #shepilot #merchantnavy #marineengineer #logistics #womeninmaritime #seafarers #lifeatsea #sea Let's get connected on Instagram: https://instagram.com/im_sumit_yadav?...

Video Pilot Boat NANIWA (Japan)

published on 15 October 2025

NANIWA　(Pilot Vessel) IMO: - MMSI: 431007094 Call Sign: - Flag: Japan [JP] AIS Vessel Type: Other Gross Tonnage: - Deadweight: - Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 18m × 4m Year Built: - Status: Active Voyage Info https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3738287/mmsi:431007094/vessel:NANIWA