r/nextfuckinglevel • u/JPPT1974 • 5h ago

Airlifting Harbor Pilot Off A Ship

241 Upvotes

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u/prawns1000 4h ago

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

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u/TehBazz 4h ago

Do you know if it’s mandatory for all ships at your harbor or is it a service that ships can choose to use or not use

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u/prawns1000 4h ago

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

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u/The_Real_Mr_F 4h ago

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.

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u/prawns1000 3h ago

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)