Our suite is on Deck just a few feet forward of the hatch on Deck 3 that they most often open to pick up or discharge our pilots. Every port seems to require a pilot whether we need one or not. The other evening the Staff Captain (#2 in charge) was asked about who is in charge when a pilot is on board. He replied that the pilot knows the local waters but he and the Helmsman, the crew member who actually is driving the ship, best know how the ship performs. When entering and departing each harbor the Staff Captain stands behind the Helmsman and the Pilot stands besides them, issuing instructions. The Staff Captain shared with us that should he not like the instructions or find them too extreme he gently taps the shoulder of the Helmsman. They have already agreed on this form of communication. Should a problem occur the Staff Captain explained that he and the Master of the Ship are held responsible. The Pilot quickly claims that he is an onboard advisor! Pilots are generally not held responsible! On this trip the seas have always been calm and favorable when we take on the Pilot. This is not always the case and in the pictures I took below seems relatively easy, is in fact a very dangerous part of the job.
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| Two boats were involved in this transfer and we were never quite sure what was the role of the 2nd boat seen in this photo off the stern of the Pilot boat. Two men did transfer so perhaps this second boat was there two pick up the second person! |
The man below in the blue shirt is crew on the Pilot Boat and in the 2nd photo (R) you can just see the Pilot in a white shirt preparing to transfer. A small rope ladder is put down from the ship. In the 3rd photo (Bottom L) you can see the pilot stepping off with assistance from the Pilot crew.
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And away they go!
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