Difficulties Of Embarkation

Delaware River Pilot Boat Cape Henlopen Transfers Pilot to Cargo Ship Al Wathba - Delaware River - Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania - June 6, 2025

Experiences of a Pilot: The port's chief pilot talks about his work, "what we do is not well known in the city", and about the risk they run, "on a bad day we can get scared", he says.

It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.

Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.

We have reached Port Said at the northern end of the Suez Canal. Could not have been a more enjoyable adventure. Thank you Suez Canal Authority for the two excellent pilots, specially Emad, and the support specially at Ismailia.
Editor's note:
Other countries, other habits: especially when it comes to safety standards. Life jackets, for example, are not to be seen here.

MV Astoria, Dunkirk

Pilot Training requirements were reviewed afer the ship hit the seabed amd tugs damaged in Bluff Harbor.
South Port in Bluff has accepted the Transport Accident Investigation Commission's recommendation and reviewed its systems.

Pilot Boat Design by ShipMar
More detail at
https://shipmar.com/divisions/harbour-and-terminal/pilot-1350/

Another accident was reported on YouTube on Feb. 3rd 2020 by akif pradias.
"This video shown how's hwalein pilot got accident while boarding the vessel, its teach us to be more carefully during pilot transfer..."

The entrapment problem of a pilot ladder has not yet been solved and has prompted Captain Francesco Aiello to seek a solution. His very simple idea (patented) has been internationally recognized as innovative.

“Definitions": ‘Hero’: person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities OR person greatly admired for their exceptional qualities or achievements

‘Hostage’: person seized or held for the fulfilment of a condition OR person who is illegally held prisoner until certain demands are met by others