Video The Halifax Explosion Inquiry Blamed One Pilot. Two Courts Disagreed
published on 1 September 2026
A French munitions ship and a Norwegian steamer collided in Halifax harbour in December 1917, and the blast that followed remains the largest human-made explosion before the atomic bomb. Within six days, a formal inquiry opened — and within two months it placed nearly all the blame on one harbour pilot. Wreck Commissioner Arthur Drysdale's inquiry found Mont-Blanc's pilot and captain responsible for the collision that triggered the disaster, and all three men involved, including a naval...
Video The pilot boat "Nova Pilot" heading out from her berth in Halifax, Canada
published on 5 April 2020
Video Pilot leaves the Regent Seven Seas Navigator at Halifax
published on 12 August 2020
Video Pilot Boat in Port of Tyne
published on 10 April 2025
Join me behind the scenes aboard the pilot boat as we guide the cruise ship Borealis out of the River Tyne and welcome a colossal vehicle carrier into port. In this video, you'll get an up-close look at the challenging conditions at sea, including a rough water pilot transfer as we safely land the pilot onboard. Experience the scale of these incredible vessels and see the precision teamwork it takes to keep everything running smoothly, even in heavy seas. From the stunning departure of the...