Found on YouTube. Created by "LSTT". Recorded on 2006-08-10. Originally published on 2023-11-11.
In 2006 I was invited to join Port of London Pilot Capt. Tom Miller on one of his last few voyages before his retirement. A pilot cutter ferried us from the Gravesend Port office to the Port of London Terminal where the Hebridean Spirit waited for us to board.
Once aboard, the ship's captain manoeuvred the vessel off its moorings and into the channel. After handing the vessel over to Capt. Miller, the Captain joined the ship's company for dinner, and the first offer and a helmsman remained on the bridge.
After reaching a mid-point channel north of Margate, we disembarked by climbing down a 6 metre rope ladder in a moderate swell that took some timing to step onto the Pilot Cutter. A yeoman yanked me on board firmly, and we were safe aboard and enjoying the ride (not smooth, but the hydraulic seats are a backsaver).
As an added bonus, the Pilot Cutter dropped off a pilot with an incoming tanker and I was able to watch that too.
Special thanks to Capt. Tom Miller (ret), the London Port Authority, and the Hebridean Spirit for permission to be aboard and take video.
Port of London Authority
