Queen Mary 2 embarking the Hamburg Pilot

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

River Mersey Pilot Boat going slowly inbound on the river before turning and heading northbound again.

Pilots are expert ship handlers who possess detailed knowledge of local waterways. They are transported by high speed "Pilot Boat" or helicopter from shore to an inbound ship and from an outbound ship back ashore. Most ports have compulsory pilotage.

Marine Pilot's Documentary showing the role of a pilot as they guide all types of ships to and from Harbor.
We produced this video in 2004.

Exemplary manoeuvre: The pilot should always walk on the side of the pilot boat facing away from the vessel. This prevents the pilot from being trapped between the two vessels in the event of a fall into the water.

The mega containership M/V Ever Given which is free from the Suez Canal. Captain John Konrad discusses how they did it and what happens next! MV Ever Given Freed! Suez Canal Set for Reopeninghttps://gcaptain.com/mv-ever-given-freed-suez-canal-set-for-reopening/ Suez Chaos Will Take Months To Clear Says Maersk https://gcaptain.com/suez-chaos-will-take-months-to-clear-says-maersk/ New York’s Ever Given Crisis Is Bigger Than Egypt’s But Buttigieg Sits Silent https://gcaptain.com/destroy-city-...

A good working relationship with the pilot, effective Master Pilot Information Exchange at the start of the pilotage followed by well performing Bridge Resource Management during the pilotage passage, are important factors in a successful pilotage.