April 03, 2020
Marine Pilot
The crew on vessels calling in foreign ports may not necessarily know the port as well as a local seafarer who uses the port on a daily basis. For this reason, most large ports employ Pilots that are sent out to meet ships at a designated point and then take over command while the ship enters and leaves the port. They are specialists in the local weather, tides, water depths and currents, and need to ensure that the visiting vessel is safely berthed before disembarking.
Pilots board the visiting vessel while it is still at sea and must be physically fit enough to climb or descend a pilot’s ladder (often a rope ladder hanging off the side of a ship) from a small pilot vessel that comes alongside the bigger ship. In some ports a helicopter service is used to deploy or fetch the pilot. In both instances, the pilot needs to be conscious of safety. A Pilot needs to be confident and able to communicate with the visiting team on the bridge in order to install confidence and adherence to their direction.
Key tasks:
• Boarding Vessels
• Navigational Planning
• Communication with Bridge Crew
• Bridge Resource Management
• Monitoring Conditions
Entry requirements/training:
National Certificate in Marine Pilotage. Most Marine Pilots have an extensive background at sea as Master.
Career advancement:
Working for port authorities, many marine pilots advance in their careers to take up positions as Harbour Master.
Associated job opportunities:
Several associated job opportunities exist within the maritime and shipping industry that are related to or work closely with Marine Pilots. These roles contribute to the safe and efficient operation of vessels, ports, and maritime activities. Here are some associated job opportunities:
• Tugboat Captain or Operator
• Navigation Officer
• Vessel Operations Manager
• Maritime Safety Inspector
• Port Engineer
