Pilot Boarding with POLARIS in Steenbank pilot station, Netherlands

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.

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).

"A performance assessment tool for maritime pilotage operations" - by Jørgen Ernstsen, Norway
When the ship is approaching or leaving a port, a local navigational expert, the pilot, is often provided for assisting the bridge team to safely and efficiently navigate the littoral waters.

IMPA has published examples of best practice together with a letter from Capt. Simon Pelletier, President of IMPA.

pilot boat is a type of boat used to transport maritime pilots between land and the inbound or outbound ships that they are piloting. Pilot boats were once sailing boats that had to be fast because the first pilot to reach the incoming ship 

"Analysis of reports indicates that pilot ladders (Pilot Transfer Arrangements, or PTAs) and
intentional deviations from safety procedures remain the main causes of near misses..."

The crew from Rescue RS 172 in Norway at sea trial with Humphree interceptors in "Active" mode. Storm outside Hvaler, Norway.
”Our job is to be there for people at sea in any condition. No system can eliminate motions from a roaring North Sea, what Humphree does is to give us the best possible control of our workboats, a system that makes a real difference to get the job done.”
Knut Hveding, Manager New Builds
Norwegian Search and Rescue team

Kewatec Pilot 1820 is the flagship in the pilot boat fleet of the Kewatec AluBoat shipyard. It is designed for the Atlantic coast of Norway, where there are many in use.