Accommodation Ladder Load Testing

Watch and learn how a pilot boards a container ship before entering port.
In this video, a container ship bound for Houston, Texas is boarded by a Houston Pilot before entering the Houston Ship Channel.
#maritime #HoustonPilots #houstonshipchannel

Over the course of 4 days this August, I was afforded the opportunity and privilege of riding with the Savannah Bar Pilots for an article I was writing for a major maritime magazine. The pilots are given the responsibility of boarding a vessel in the Atlantic Ocean and safely navigating the vessel up the Tybee Road 9 (a name for the shipping lane that leads into the Savannah River), into the Savannah River, and into the Port of Savannah. The same is done in reverse when a ship is outbound...

Experience the thrilling moment when a Port Dampier Marine Pilot boards a ship via helicopter! Get a bird's eye view of this stunning animation capturing the precision and skill involved in this critical maritime operation. Perfect for maritime enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone fascinated by sea adventures. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more maritime insights! Links to Social Media: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@elementtree2287 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin....

On April 20, 2026, the Columbia River Bar Pilots conducted a MOB drill with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Astoria.

Editor's note: The pilot boarding seems a bit improvised and unsafe to me, but that's certainly business as usual, isn't it?

1st 24,000 TEU vessel, 1st Containers loaded, 1st Port call Qingdao

This is one common method to board the pilot. And here it is a special boat which is very fast with new technology

Crude Oil Tanker British Robin passing St Anns Head on a rather windy day in Pembrokeshire.