Video Refusing to board due to a pilot ladder not rigged correctly
published on 20 June 2025
This lady came into port in an excellent day, however when I inspected the pilot ladder prior to board I saw that it was rigged using D-Shackles fastened between the side ropes, transferring all the weight and load of the ladder to the clamps and chokes. Truly an unsuitable method of securing the ladder. Retrieval line was also not above the first spreader
After pulling out the pilot boat, the ship was contacted by VHF and the captain was asked to instruct the crew in the usage of ropes and...
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...
Article Best practice on rigging pilot ladders (UK MAIB)
published on 7 July 2022
Video Pilot Vessel COMETA/ Change Pilots Maneuver
published on 28 October 2021
Vehicles Carrier Ship "TOSCA"/ Change Pilots Maneuver #VehiclesCarrierShip #CarCarrierShip #RoRoShip #vehiclescarrier #ZonaComun #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina.- #WalleniusWilhelmsen This video of the Vehicles Carrier Ship "TOSCA", was filmed on board the same Vessel, when the Rio Paraná Pilots embarked on board, coming from the Pilot Vessel "COMETA". The last part of the video was filmed on board the Pilot Vessel "COMETA" and shows the Embarking Maneuver of the Rio de la Plata Pilot and the...
Article Safer shipping over ice
by Drift + Noise GmbH - published on 16 October 2019
Video The difference between Gross Tonnage and Net Tonnage
published on 14 July 2020
Using pictures and sketches, this video finally explains the difference between gross tonnage (GRT) and net tonnage (NRT); the ship spaces that are included/excluded in their calculation; and the importance of these terms to ship owners.
Contents of this video will benefit mariners preparing for exams (written and oral examinations).