From the "How Do" Series at Seadolby.Com

How Do Pilots Get off a Ship

By Ieuan Dolby

A pilot at sea is not related in form whatsoever to a pilot who flies a plane! Images of some guy parachuting down from a large passenger plane and landing on the bridge wing is well - daft!

Sea Pilots are or simply Pilots are people with specialised knowledge of a certain river, port, coastal area or sea. They typically worked at sea and rose through the ranks to that of Mate or Master before moving ashore to be trained and given the knowledge required to work in a certain area. For the most part they board vessels before they enter port limits, river mouths and areas that may pose danger so that they can provide to the Captain the knowledge required to arrive safely at the berth or anchorage. In many places and ports Pilots are compulsory, the vessel unable to enter without one. In others the Pilot is available if required - maybe the Captain has been there before and knows what to look out for, which route to take, etc. In some places there is no Pilot at all!

Pilots typically arrive onboard via a Pilot Boat. A dedicated fast launch that will arrive alongside at a pre-determined location, the pilot will then transfer from the launch to the vessel. Depending upon the vessel size and type, he will climb up what is known as the ‘pilot ladder’ a rope ladder that is slung over the ships side or he may use the ships gangway which can be lowered for the occasion or if the vessel is small simply step across the decks.

When the vessel is safely alongside the wharf or Jetty the Pilot will depart ashore! He will not be seen again until the vessel departs when he will once again join the vessel, navigate through and out of the port, river or harbour limits and at a pre-determined location depart the vessel via the Pilot Boat, which will once again come alongside to collect him.

The Pilot Boat Comes Alongside the larger vessel
Photo Copyright © Ieuan Dolby, 2007

The Pilot Climbs Down the Pilot Ladder
Photo Copyright © Ieuan Dolby, 2007

The Pilot will then hopefully wave goodbye...

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