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Allen Garfinkle — The Making of a Bay Pilot | 8/7/2019

published on 4 August 2020 - 155 -

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Found on YouTube. Created by "St. Francis Yacht Club".

The Making of a Bay Pilot

Allen Garfinkle, Executive Director, Board of Pilot Commissioners, San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun Bays

Professional mariner Captain Allen Garfinkle, will highlight the role of maritime pilots in waterborne commerce on San Francisco Bay, including how one becomes a maritime pilot, dangers of the job and common myths about piloting on the Bay. Captain Garfinkle is the Executive Director of the state level authority that trains, licenses and regulates those pilots. Prior to his role at the Pilot Commission, Captain Garfinkle was a deep-sea mariner for 30 years, including 22 years at Matson Navigation Company, where he was master on nine of their ships. Allen holds a Bachelor’s degree from California Maritime Academy and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

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San Francisco Bar Pilots

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Opinion The Secret Life of Pilots

by Allen Garfinkle - published on 8 March 2022

The article was written by Allen Garfinkle, Executive Director – Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun

Video Tales from a Great Lakes Pilot

published on 9 February 2026

Great Lakes Pilot Eric Treece joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center for an interview about his career as a fleet captain and his experiences now as a pilot working aboard a variety of ships. In the course of the conversation, he shares some spectacular photos he has taken over the years. TECHNICAL NOTE: there are a few audio glitches we could not correct but it only impacts a few spots.

Article Salt water runs deep in veins of Esperance marine pilot

by Carwyn Monck - published on 14 February 2024

Experiences from Australia: No two days are the same for a marine pilot in a busy port such as Esperance, but Mr MacAdie wouldn’t have it any other way.

Opinion Should the Captain go down with the ship?

by Melvin Mathews - published on 10 November 2020

At one point, the Captain on the Ship while being highly respected, also carried great responsibility and had the ultimate accountability for everything on board. But this respect, responsibility and accountability has not come overnight, or just when the Captain wears his four stripes.

Video Becoming a maritime pilot, pilotage techniques, career progression | Episode 3 [Thijs Hoff]

published on 7 October 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Thijs Hoff, a maritime pilot with over 15 years of experience at sea and 4 years as Maritime pilot. Thijs will take us through the 'how' of becoming a maritime pilot, offering a detailed look at the educational pathways, skills, and work-life balance that come with the role.

Video A Day in the life of a Port Pilot

published on 4 July 2019

This what a normal work day looks like for a port pilot.
A 24 hour shift shown in 11 minutes.
Recorded in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Video Maritime pilot disembark Queen Mary 2

published on 19 August 2022

Watch the Maritime pilot disembark Ocean Liner, Queen Mary 2

Video Pilot disembarkation from tanker at BAY OF BENGAL

published on 9 November 2021

Hooghly river Marine pilotage is one of the toughest and longest pilotage in the world,
pilots here face many challenges daily to enable safe passage of ships from bay of Bengal to the port of CALCUTTA and Haldia.
Pilot embarkation and disembarkation is a vital part , where the pilot climbs up or down a rope ladder ,if the free board is more than 9 meters then combination ladder is used it needs very good physical fitness practice and experience to safely embark and disembark from these...