Port Tampa Bay Florida Pilot Boat Wizzes On By.

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.

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

Check out this footage recently published by Safehaven Marine: This makes me want to become a pilot boat skipper!

Pilot cutters are used to take pilots between the three pilot stations (at Gravesend, Harwich and Ramsgate) and ships entering or leaving the Port of London.
Three dedicated pilot cutters Patrol, Guide and our hybrid Leader are based at Gravesend. The six cutters used at Ramsgate are operated by a Estuary Services Limited, which is jointly owned by the PLA and Medway Ports Ltd.

Safehaven Marine have launched ‘South Esk’, an Interceptor 48 pilot built for the Montrose Port Authority in East Scotland.

The HamiltonJet waterjet is one of the most advanced and innovative marine propulsion systems in use today, and is at the forefront of waterjet propulsion technology. Now we are also consistently delivering vessel autonomy solutions in conjunction with our waterjet technologies.

Official Video by MAERSK:" In the past two years we have made boarding safer for maritime pilots on more than 100 ships."

Vessel Review by BairdMaritime.com. The Pilot boat was build by Safehaven Marine.