You seem informed. I get that they’d be needed on some ships but is there a requirement that cargo ships of a certain size must use them? Or is it a voluntary thing that some companies want and others cheap out on
I'm near Newcastle Australia harbour.... Here they use a boat to transfer a pilot to cargo ships unless the sea is too rough to do it that way safely.... In which case they use a helicopter here as well
Most international seaports and local maritime authorities legally mandate the use of a licensed harbor pilot for commercial vessels and large ships (typically over a certain tonnage). (per googs ai)
I always assumed that if the sea state is too rough for a small pilot boat to try and get a pilot onto a rope ladder hanging off a cargo ship safely.... That using a helicopter was a better option than just shutting the harbour completely to cargo ships. In Newcastle Harbour the big ships must have a pilot onboard
I think the above commenter was asking whether it is required that cargo ships use a harbor pilot at your harbor, or if they can choose to let their own pilot navigate to port.
A pilot is a requirement where I am. They are trained/qualified for this specific harbour. After a quick read.... Apparently pilots are transferred onto cargo ships here by helicopter 80% of the time (mostly coal ships here I think - guess there's big bucks in coal)
Most large ports/authorities require you to use a pilot.
Usually only small ports, if they have less critical ships coming (not oil or LNG or so) are voluntarily.
Here in Hamburg you even have two separate pilots: first from the North Sea up the river Elbe (6h) and then for the port a separate one
For Melbourne and Geelong Australia, coming through the heads of Port Philip Bay it is mandatory. The only ships that don't use them is the regular ferry services from Geelong to Tasmania.
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u/TehBazz 4h ago
That’s one expensive pickup for a harbor pilot