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...
Video Algoluna/Pilot Pickup - Port Huron
published on 22 March 2024
Opinion Pilot ladders: Compliance by design, failure by operator
by Herman Broers - published on 10 March 2022
Video From EVER GOVERN to STEN FJELL via Pilot Vessel PROCYON
published on 29 September 2020
Article NAUTITEC Shiphandling Simulator and Training Centre, Germany
published on 9 February 2021
Video Batangas Harbor Pilot PCC Undocking Maneuver
published on 28 June 2020
Article Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea
published on 17 September 2021
Article #dangerousladders - Using social media to improve pilot transfer safety.
by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 12 December 2019
It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.
Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.