Pilot Boat PIONEER from The 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).

Pilot disembarking the cruise ship

Taking the Pilot ashore

*Testing out a new camcorder. A Canon Vixia HFG70. Picture is fantastic. Shot in 1920x1080p at 60FPS. However, the external (add-on) microphone is terrible. Going to replace it with a much better one.*
Marine pilots boarding the ms Eurodam in three locations. Nassau, Bahamas. Amber Cover, Dominican Republic. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Did you know that Grand Turk does not have a pilot? I did not know that. Enjoy.
Yes I know I made the "Bahamas" possessive. It's a mistake.

​Ein außergewöhnlicher Anblick an der Festung Grauerort am 1. Juni 2026: Das markante rote Lotsenversetzschiff WESER passierte am späten Vormittag unsere Elbcam. Das Spezialschiff, das in der markanten SWATH-Bauweise (Doppelrumpf) konstruiert ist, befand sich nach einem Werftaufenthalt auf dem Rückweg in sein Stammrevier. Mit rund 12,5 Knoten zog der rote Hingucker elbabwärts an der Kamera vorbei.

The Auckland District Court has fined the Ports of Auckland NZD424,000 (USD300,500) for exempting its pilot boats from speed limits in Waitemata Harbour after a swimmer was struck and killed (April 2017).

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.