Just thought I would add.
Must have worked as I am still alive and my feet are still attached to my legs
on more than a few occasions I believed the Coxswain had a much tougher job than the pilot !!
IMO - this kind of boat handling is really hard to teach. You can get “OK” at it with effort, but not sure you can learn to get really good at it - some folks just get it
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A different type of Pilot boat to those featured in the short videos:
Belgian Pilot vessel WESTDIEP coming into Oostend July 28, 2025
Photo: Gilbert Gyssels ©
Video from the above website:
Yes the video is from a boarding in good weather, but do anybody have any experience from having pilots board/disembark with this (or similar) pilot boat?
It’s a SWATH boat Bug
Supposed to be the answer to all our boarding and landing problems.
I think there are only the Belgium ones and the German ones.
Sorry Mr Bug
Also missed your question about video of boarding and landing from SWATH boats in rough weather.
From conventional fast boats I don’t think there is much footage of difficult boardings and landings available on the net.
My theory is that the Cox deckhand and Pilot were probably fully engaged in the operation and any other pilots on board were just hanging on as the movement can be pretty severe.
So from SWATH boats, who were once again the answer to all our prayers, I expect it was pretty intense as well In rough weather
Anybody find familiar?
Or this?:
More about the Colombia River Bar:
See my June 4 post. Been up the Columbia a number of times.
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Once upon a time there were pilot boats like this:
After sailing out of Hjeltefjorden with Øygarden on the port side, we got rid of the pilot further out. Here are pictures I took of the pilot boat at Fedje Pilot Station in 1956.
Text and photo: Oddvar Ulvang
Pilot boat leading a Norwegian bark. One of my favorite things.
My folks brought it home many years ago. Made by a friend of my Dad.
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Turn up the sound:
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One more “Pilot boarding” video:
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Another boarding operation in rough weather:
The Pilot boarded MV"Belnippon" at Sauda. Enjoy the trip through the windy fjord and between island on the way to Karmøy Pilotstation:
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Who need pilot ladders?:
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Nice. I’ve been in some vessels where it was the pilot boat that needed the ladder.
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Anybody seen this style of “Pilot disembarking”?:
Years ago at San Francisco.
In many places where man ropes are required by Pilot Station. But the general rule is that those perfoming such stunts have BMI in between 18.5 & 24.9 and are fitness club members.