Join the conversation...
Video Belfast Pilot Boat Ben Madigan
published on 17 May 2022
This is the Ben Madigan pilot boat, one of the hard working fleet of Belfast Harbout pilot boats. ( I'm not sure but I believe this might be a Redbay Stormforce, built by Redbay boat builders at Cushendll. )
These fast, sturdy, boats have to ferry Belfast pilots out to large vessels coming in to Belfast harbour. Piloted vessels range from large tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, ferries and cruise liners, right down to barges and fishing boats. Not only this, Belfast Harbour pilots...
Video The Pilot Of Belfast Harbour - N Irish Coastal Scenery
published on 20 June 2022
What a great pleasure to meet these guys at the harbour - they could not have been more helpful and forthright about their work. At first glance, the glide of these orange powerboats up and down Belfast Lough seems an almost effortless task, but close up this is a very skilled trade and constant management of risk 24/7 in high and low seas, jumping from ship to boat to land taking safe control of the great volume of steel vessel coming in and out of this busy port. Though a hub of...
Video Belfast Harbour adds new Pilot Boat to Marine Fleet
published on 16 April 2024
Video St Johns Bar Pilot Association
published on 17 January 2020
A collection of action from the St Johns Bar Pilot Association In the early 1800′s as the commercial ports along the St Johns River began to develop, a select group of brave and skilled seafarers would row to sea to meet arriving cargo sailing ships. These daring individuals would use their extensive local knowledge to safely guide the sailing ships across the treacherous sand bars that guarded the river entrance. This was the origin of the St. Johns Bar Pilots. Initially it was a bit of a...
Video Kayleigh Ward - Belfast Harbour Pilot Boat Crew
published on 11 July 2024
Our Pilot Boats play a crucial role in maintaining the daily flow of maritime traffic to and from Belfast Harbour. Working 24/7, 365 days a year, in all kinds of weather conditions, this dedicated team carries out the vital task of bringing the Harbour Pilots out to arriving vessels, where they guide them safely into their berths, as well as disembarking them, often in challenging sea conditions on Belfast Lough.
Kayleigh Ward, our sole female pilot boat crew member, reveals how she gave up...
Opinion UK Marine Pilot’s Perspective of Seafarer’s Challenges.
by Ivana-Maria Carrioni-Burnett - published on 24 August 2020
Opinion Piloting in the Corona Era - Understanding differences in COVID-19 mitigating procedures
by Herman Broers - Rotterdam / Netherlands - published on 20 April 2020
Opinion Positioning of vessel at berth by using bridge wing gyro repeater
by Capt. Girish Chandra - published on 14 April 2020
Today I will discuss a very simple and useful practical trick often used by pilots.
When we have to berth a vessel with small clearances forward and aft (say 20 to 25 mtr fwd and aft) it is very essential that you are able to estimate your position. Now most of the time you have a berthing supervisor on jetty who will help you with position.