Video

Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association


published on 27 May 2020 158 -

May is Maritime Month at the Port of San Diego and we are proud to highlight some of our hardworking men and women of the Working Waterfront. Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association. His work consists of guiding ships in and out of San Diego Bay in a safe and efficient manner. A typical day includes guiding a 650-foot car carrying vessel or a 950-foot cruise ship into San Diego Bay. This entails boarding the vessels by climbing up a ladder, often in very rough seas and usually when it’s still dark out. The Port of San Diego thanks Captain Donovan and his fellow pilots for their hard work. To read more about the importance of the maritime industry, visit portofsandiego.org/maritimemonth
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Article AMSA warns of counterfeit pilot ladders and certificates

by Australian Maritime Safety Agency - published on 9 January 2024

This Pilot Advisory Note (PAN) advises AMSA-licensed coastal pilots and pilotage providers about the existence of counterfeit pilot ladders and associated certification.

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Video Embarking Maneuvering from Argentina

published on 25 October 2021

Bulk Carrier Ship "THALIS" / Pilot Boat "SEA PILOT" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots,
Argentina

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Video Flying into the Graveyard of the Pacific: Ports Unknown with Columbia River Bar Pilot Michael Tolley

published on 15 June 2026

At the mouth of the Columbia River lies "The Graveyard of the Pacific"—the deadliest river bar crossing on earth. To get a massive cargo ship safely through these crushing waves, an elite Bar Pilot has to board a moving ship by climbing a rope ladder and get's hoisted off the ship by helicopter 10 miles off shore in the Pacific Ocean. In this episode of What do you Wanna Cook?: PORTS UNKNOWN, we get you as close to the action as humanly possible. We take you inside the cockpit for an...

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Video How the Sabine Pilots are Redefining Maritime Pilot Transfer with Helicopters

published on 17 February 2026

In one of the busiest and most critical waterways in the United States, timing and safety are everything. Along the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Port Arthur, Texas, the Sabine Pilots are redefining maritime pilot transfer by taking to the air. This video follows the Sabine Pilots and HeliService USA as they use Leonardo AW169 helicopters to move pilots safely and efficiently between ships—reducing risk, improving responsiveness, and keeping America’s energy gateway moving. From offshore hoists...

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Video How to get off the ship with Pilot Siri

published on 31 January 2022

How to get off the ship with Pilot Siri
welcome my ship unlimited bd video channel
#shipunlimitedbd #ship

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Video Wind drift making headway - practical experiments for getting useful data for planning

published on 30 May 2022

Another great education video by Knud Benedict (Germany): Practical experiments for getting useful data for planning.

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Video Captain Brown, Harbor Pilot (1950)

published on 6 January 2025

The film "Captain Brown Harbor Pilot" depicts the crucial role of harbor pilots in safely navigating large ships into ports, particularly during foggy conditions. It follows Bob, who learns from his Uncle Captain Brown about the various signals, equipment, and safety measures involved in harbor navigation. The film emphasizes the importance of pilots, who are trained to manage the complexities of harbor traffic, communicate with ships, and ensure safe docking. Viewers also see the...

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Video Meet Jon, Marine Pilot at Port Authority of NSW

published on 18 December 2023

Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba.

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Video Pilot Boat Altair

published on 17 March 2022

PILOT BOARDING, VIEW FROM THE PILOT BOAT
www.standbyengine.it

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Video Training of the Elbe pilots - documentary (in german)

published on 6 November 2020

Die Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe ist ein geschlossener Kreis, der sich nicht gern in die Karten schauen lässt. Wer dort Mitglied werden und bis zu 400 Meter lange Containerpötte in den Hamburger Hafen steuern möchte, muss hohe Anforderungen erfüllen. Bewerber müssen mehrere Jahre lang zur See gefahren sein, um ausreichend Fahrpraxis zu haben. Aber es gibt immer weniger deutsche Seeleute, weil die Reeder billigere Kräfte aus dem Ausland bevorzugen. Dadurch wird es zunehmend schwierig,...

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