The Boats That Built Britain - The Pilot Cutter - Part 2

Many consider the Bristol Channel pilot cutter to be the finest sailing boat design ever. Fast, seaworthy and beautiful to behold, the pilot cutter is the perfect combination of form and function - a thoroughbred perfectly adapted to a life in one of the Britain's most treacherous stretches of water. Sailor and writer Tom Cunliffe explores the life of the pilots and sails a perfectly restored cutter to find out just what drove these men and their wonderful machines.

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.

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

Pilot vessel Tribulation shadowing Ramble on Rose out of Cairns .5/10/20

Video upload on 02/01/2020 by TVBS NEWS
We do not put videos of accidents on our website out of voyeurism. We would like to point out that the work of a pilot is always dangerous, especially when embarking and disembarking!
These incidents should be a warning. It can hit anyone out of carelessness.
Dear pilots, please always be mindful and always think of your safety!

On a windy morning, the incoming bulker HEIDE OLDENDORFF transited the Eurochannel underway to the EECV jetty west side, at 18 meters draft. With the assistance of FairPlay Towage, KRVE linesmen, and the excellent crew of the ship, we had. Very pleasant voyage.

Sanmar Shipyards is celebrating completing a record number of vessels within one calendar month, with six tugs and two pilot boats gaining their class certificates during January 2022.

Maritime Pilot , Istanbul Strait , Turkish Straits , www.turkishpilots.org.tr

Video Showing a long bulk carrier ship Manoeuvring its way through narrow river channel.
Video Credit: Dave Avner

On February 23rd, 2024 the NISSOS KEROS ( 330 m long x 60 m wide x 17m draft ) was inbound to Europoort, dolphins 90. Pilot was hoisted onboard by Noordzee Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV) helicopter flying out of the Nederlands Loodswezen Rotterdam Pilots base. Assisted by 4 tugs from both Boluda and Muller, as well as KRVE boatmen, she eventually moored successfully in stormy weather on Maasvlakte-2 in Port of Rotterdam. Thanks to the very professional crew on the NISSOS KEROS, it was a very...