Suezmax Tanker Northbound İstanbul Strait

105000t crude oil tanker, passing the Strait of Istanbul (Bosphorus) in november 2015. In the beginning you can see new bridge. More timelapse videos: Between sky and sea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHGlWcUBqtc Novorossiysk timelapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_9YFEiJe6A Press like or follow me, if you liked it =)

As a rule, every pilot has the right to refuse an unsafe ladder. Safety first! A brave pilot is not the one who uses an unsafe ladder, but the one who, in case of doubt, asks for a different ladder or a different setting.
Unfortunately, too many pilots climb a dubious ladder when in doubt.

An entire day caught in a time lapse. Up and down the river twice.
Cool prospective 12000 TEU ship Turing min 2:00. !

Qualified pilots are usually employed by the local port or maritime administration, and provide their services to ships for a fee, calculated in relation to the ship’s tonnage, draught or other criteria.

The pilots make docking mega-ships look easy despite the meteorological disturbance.
Great pictures from Morocco

The Bahamas has imposed a compulsory maritime pilot rule for all vessels, including cruise ships, at its ports since September 2025.

Bulk Carrier "Jasmine A" leaving Gladstone lock stern-first with 3 tugs

I have had the privilege of being at quite a number of meetings, conferences and seminars, sometimes representing The Netherlands, but mostly representing the Netherlands pilots. I have had many discussions about the role of pilots and pilot organisations, which lead me to write an article “What is the added value of pilotage?”, published in the February 2020 issue of Seaways.

Port of London Authority marine Pilot, Ms. Ivana Carrioni-Burnett, provides a personal opinion and insight into her recent experiences in UK waters as a newly qualified Pilot in relation to her interactions with seafarers away from their families, including during the COVID-19 crisis.