Video

Maritime Pilot at work in the Port of Hamburg


published on 6 October 2022 326 -

Found on YouTube. Created by "Svenne99". Originally published on 2022-10-04.
How do maritime pilots work? In short term team!

In this video - recorded with zoom - you can watch an electronic chart display and compare it to the view out of the front windows. As well you can listen to some orders the pilot gives to the seaman at the helm (wheel) and to the officer at the engine telegraph. Some orders are by radio to the tugs.

In the end of the video the camera of the pilot is positioned in the portside bridge wing of the 247mx32m vessel while going alongside. A pilot or ship's master luckily is able to not only look out of the front window or in only one direction, but throu every window of the bridge. As well we are tracking a lot of digital and analog information from bridge equipment like radar, ECDIS, echosounders, AIS, radios. Communication e.g. with other traffic-ships, with tugs, linesmen and the bridgeteam is essential for a good pilotage.

This video seems to be slow and boring for non maritime people, but doing the job in a good way needs a lot of experience and knowledge. And it's the very the best job in the world when you believe you're not bad doing it and when you receive thanks and respect from captains or other members of the short term bridge, maritime and maneouvring team.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
PILOT Devan Pulliah IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association, South Africa
on 13 October 2022, 11:46 UTC

Great manouvre in confined spaces...can only imagine when the weather is bad....
0

Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

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.

0

Video Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

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...

1

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Video Illinois boat captain recalls treacherous winter voyage across Lake Michigan | ChicagoLIVE

published on 10 February 2026

A U.S. federal pilot shares his experience navigating icy waters on Lake Michigan.

0

Video A day on a tugboat, time lapse edition

published on 25 May 2020

An entire day caught in a time lapse. Up and down the river twice.
Cool prospective 12000 TEU ship Turing min 2:00. !

0

Opinion Beyond Experience: Building the Next Generation of Maritime Pilots

by Maritime Pilot Abolfazl Farajnezam - published on 8 May 2025

Pilot recruitment has traditionally been based on seniority, and extensive sea experience. However, a more modern approach, hiring younger, motivated candidates with structured training, offers an alternative path with compelling advantages.

1

Video Day in the life of a Marine Pilot on the Humber, UK

published on 7 November 2025

Brief snapshot of a day in the life of a Humber marine Pilot.
This was filmed a few years ago, 2019 I think.
Some standards and best practices have changed since then, for instance I would not have my bag on my back while using the pilot ladder now, I would send it down using a heaving line.
#MarinePilot #shiphandling #pilotage #ships #timelapse #humber

2

Opinion One of my favorite Marine Pilots' pictures of the year

by Frank Diegel - published on 26 May 2020

I think this is one of my favorite Marine Pilots' pictures of the year. Very powerful. What a dynamic photo! The moment was instantly caught by the photographer.

2

Video German Pilot Boat (Baltic Sea)

published on 16 May 2022

Perfect Manoeuvre. Maybe it is Kieler Förde or Travemünde but in an any case the Baltic Sea. Greetings to NOK II !

0

Video Griffiths off Point Lonsdale, for a look over Griffiths see this video https://youtu.be/rAnG87kd9Uw

published on 26 August 2025

Just caught pilot launch Griffiths finishing a MOB drill and goes home to Queenscliff.
For a tour over Griffiths see this video https://youtu.be/rAnG87kd9Uw
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.

0