The accidentology study has also revealed the importance of ships providing Pilot Transfer Arrangements that meet current safety standards and that are in accordance with international regulations and guidelines. Following these regulations can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of pilots, vessels, as well as respecting a timely arrival / departure schedule.
The accidentology study has also revealed the importance of ships providing Pilot Transfer Arrangements that meet current safety standards and that are in accordance with international regulations and guidelines. Following these regulations can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of pilots, vessels, as well as respecting a timely arrival / departure schedule.
Video How the Sabine Pilots are Redefining Maritime Pilot Transfer with Helicopters
published on 17 February 2026
In one of the busiest and most critical waterways in the United States, timing and safety are everything. Along the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Port Arthur, Texas, the Sabine Pilots are redefining maritime pilot transfer by taking to the air. This video follows the Sabine Pilots and HeliService USA as they use Leonardo AW169 helicopters to move pilots safely and efficiently between ships—reducing risk, improving responsiveness, and keeping America’s energy gateway moving. From offshore hoists...
Video Bulk Carrier Ship ERIETTA/ #PilotBoat SEA MASTER/ Embarking Maneuver
published on 9 November 2021
Bulk Carrier Ship "ERIETTA" / Pilot Boat "SEA MASTER" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots #pilotonboard #Prácticos.- #BoardingPoint #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina 23.09.2020 This video was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" and shows the moments when the Pilot Boat was proceeding to the #BoardingStation #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata to the vessel "ERIETTA", to start with the Embarking Maneuvering of the #RioDeLaPlataPilots Special appreciation to the Master of...
Video The Ampelmann L-type gangway system
published on 2 January 2020
The L-type is the compact and fully-electric solution for transferring crews from small, non-DP vessels onto fixed or floating structures. With its continuous flow of personnel, it can transfer 50 people in five minutes. More from Ampelmann Operations: Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ampelman... Website: https://www.ampelmann.nl/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmpelmannOpe... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ampe...
Video Pilot Ladder on Ships- Correct rigging procedure 2020
published on 8 January 2021
Correct method of rigging pilot ladder explained.
As explained, a large number of reports related to the use of pilot ladders which are too long relative to the vessel’s draughts. As a result, the excessively long ladders require shortening up before being deployed for boarding pilots. In these cases, ship crew shortens the pilot ladders, using D-shackles to choke the side ropes at the required height along the ladder’s length. In this method, the D-shackle is first secured to a hard point...
Opinion A deliberately sabotaged Pilot Ladder
by Arie Palmers - published on 16 March 2022
Article TRENZ SIRIUS: Improved Pilot Unit (PPU) from Germany
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 18 February 2025
Video Pilot Boat Altair
published on 17 March 2022
Article A review of the ship’s pivot point: Science, Maths and Observation’ Where is the centre of a ship’s rotation?
by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 17 July 2020
This my attempt to do just that. This is a summary of all scientific papers and articles that I could find about the ship’s pivot point. I have added links to any videos associated with the publications and have also included any useful diagrams or equations that the authors published to help explain their research.
Video Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association
published on 27 May 2020
May is Maritime Month at the Port of San Diego and we are proud to highlight some of our hardworking men and women of the Working Waterfront. Meet Captain Lyle Donovan, a San Diego Bay pilot with the San Diego Bay Pilots Association. His work consists of guiding ships in and out of San Diego Bay in a safe and efficient manner. A typical day includes guiding a 650-foot car carrying vessel or a 950-foot cruise ship into San Diego Bay. This entails boarding the vessels by climbing up a ladder,...
Video Vessel "ELSE" crashes into closed lock gate in Kiel-Holtenau on 29.08.2020
published on 31 August 2020
Shortly after 5 a.m. local time the vessel “Else” had a collision in the Kiel-Holtenau lock to the Kiel Canal.
The "Else" subject to pilotage passed the pilot's boarding position without taking a sea pilot on board and collided from the outside into the closed gate of the new north lock. The bow bored into the metal construction and the ship was stuck for about six hours.
For more information about this accident see related content below (articles).