The life of a Deep Sea Pilot by Roger Francis

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.

The Maryland Pilots have guided ships to and from Baltimore since the 1700's. They have been chartered as an organization since 1852. This is an edited except from films about the Pilots shot between 1950-1965 for the Port that Built a City and State. The original films are in the archives of the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

HOW WE DRIVE- Different methods of steering, navigating and maneuvering the Celebrity Edge, a 130,818 gross ton, 306 meter, $1.2 billion dollar new luxury liner. When we’re underway and I walk around the ship and guest's see the Captain, the question I get asked ALL. THE. TIME is “If you’re here, who is driving the ship”. The answer is the Officer of the Watch. We have a minimum of 3 very qualified and licensed officers manning the bridge at ALL times. 3 separate teams rotate every 4...

I think this is one of my favorite Marine Pilots' pictures of the year. Very powerful. What a dynamic photo! The moment was instantly caught by the photographer.

When I was a deck officer back in the early nineties I worked on a ship that used to load grain at different ports along the Mississippi river. The name of the ship was Golden Hope, a 600 feet long dry bulk carrier with a 95 feet in beam. An average size vessel for those days' standards.

This article was first published back in February 2022: According to the International Group of P & I Clubs’ “Report on P&I claims involving vessels under pilotage 1999-2019”, over the last twenty years, there were 1,046 incidents in which pilot error either caused or contributed to those events.

Text and photos by Tonci Regjo
Pilot for the Split Harbour

While filming for the Voyager T2000, Frank from Safehaven Marine asked if I wanted to make a video about the brand new Pilot Interceptor 60. There was no way I was going to miss this opportunity!
If you would like to find out more about this boat or would like to get in touch with me about anything mentioned in this video: 👉🏻 https://linktr.ee/john_johnson 👈🏻
Voyager T2000 Yacht Tour: https://youtu.be/Z8m7mWNWGAs
Voyager T2000 sea trial: https://youtu.be/ihgjtrgV0O4

“Marine Pilotage – The Arabic book" by Ahmed Sati, Marine Pilot at P&O Maritime, is the first of its kind in Arabic language and specifically concerned with maritime pilotage, it is a reference book and introduction to the basics of the Marine Pilot's work for Arabic readers who are willing to take the challenge and join the force of Pilotage and to act as a refresher to the experienced Pilots who are practicing Pilotage in local or foreign organizations.