UK Ship Pilot Dies | Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots | How a Pilot Boards | Am Pilot Assoc

[@knutkuhn2542]

I am a Seapilot Serving ships in river Weser and Jade to the ports of Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Thank you for honouring the work of maritime pilots all over the world. My very deep condolences to his love ones

[@Pulsepeak-3]

how to become a pilot can you guid me

[@danjordan600]

Very sad. My condolences for family friends and all personnel involved. Pilots do a great service, often under the radar. RIP

[@daviddixon6817]

Dad was a Humber Pilot retiring in the late 90s, as his son growing up I hadn't realised the dangerous nature of boarding ships in the dead of night with the sometimes ferocious North Sea and currents in and out of the Humber estuary, this sad news has made me feel proud of the work he and all the other Pilots do. Rip Mr Galia.

[@cynthiathomas404]

Glad your Dad retired safely

[@potatolew4495]

A very good friend of mine was a harbor pilot in the New York area. He would meet the ships miles out in the Atlantic and bring them into New York Anchorage. I know the Atlantic gets nasty, but nothing compared to the North Sea. Hope you and your pop had many pleasant times after his retirement.

[@wgowshipping]

I talked with a senior pilot in a major US port and this is what he said regarding a safety line: "The rail on the ship is not a static point to work off of. It is being lifted 10 or 20 feet up and down, fire and aft in the sea. It looks static from the perspective of someone standing next to it aboard the ship. Same with the pilot down on the pilotboat. Both vessels are always moving in each direction independently. Today I boarded a ship in fairly tough conditions and the idea of a being clipped to a wire hanging from the rail of the ship twenty feet above me (and that distance constantly changing in unpredictable directions and speeds would have been a deal breaker for me. See if you could rig the line above the wall on a wheel that moves up, down, left, right, in and out ten or twenty feet at a time unpredictably. Then approach the wall on a trampoline that is also being lifted and dropped in all those directions. Clip in and see how helpful the rig is."

[@kaikane97]

Strongly agree!! If you tried to make me clip into a line from the deck being handled by crew unknown to me, I would refuse to board. My life, my choice on the arrangements under which I risk that life. Proper training and maintaining situational awareness are the keys to success while doing this.

[@anntaylor3131]

I watched from an upper deck on a moving cruise ship ,how the pilot had to align himself with the liner and transfer from his boat. I think I held my breath ! I was amazed at his timing and skill. When he left ,he had quite an audience and we all clapped as he made it safely back. He gave us a lovely wave and smile as they returned to port. Not surprised there are accidents. So sorry for this man and family . God bless them .

[@cynthiathomas404]

Big Respect for Harbor Pilots

[@Iamgone1961]

From someone who lives close to the Humber river, I just wanted to thank you for reporting on this incident with regard for family and colleagues

[@mariemccann5895]

In which case I would have thought you would know the Humber isn't a river.

[@Iamgone1961]

@@mariemccann5895 ugh estuary then 🙄 ps I work on KGD, we don’t say a ship is waiting out on the estuary, we say it’s out on the river, so carry on splitting hairs

[@ianpatchett7815]

@@mariemccann5895 strange how we call it the river Humber !!

[@mariemccann5895]

@@ianpatchett7815 It is, but ignorance is no excuse.

[@Mondo762]

Even this Engineer has been there. I caught a Port Relief Engineer job for a tanker coming in under the Golden Gate Bridge. I was told to show up for the pilot boat. So we rode it out to come alongside the tanker just when it came under the bridge. There was no accommodation or pilots ladder, just a jacobs ladder. Grabbing that ladder from the pilot boat with the ship still making Full Ahead in the dark was certainly different from the other ways I've joined ships. Don't compare it to riding a launch from the dock to your ship while it is swinging on the hook in the harbor. All your senses are on high alert in the pilot boat scenario. You don't want to fall in. That water is cold and there's no guarantee they'll find you in time. Sal - Good job explaining the dangers of this exercise. This video especially is much appreciated.

[@Mondo762]

@@Islandwaterjet Where did I say it was a crew change? You weren't there. You have absolutley no idea what you are talking about. You should learn to ask questions before inserting foot in mouth. I don't need to make up stories. I tell them exactly as they happened. I could go on to further explain the circumstances. But first I will make one thing absolutely clear: Don't ever accuse me of lying. I'll be happy to take that finger you are pointing and stuff it where the sun doesn't shine.

[@Mondo762]

@@Islandwaterjet You are a tanker captain? What a liar. Don't tell me that when you can't even read. I repeat, I was not part of a crew exchange. Do you know what a Port Relief Engineer is? The rest of your post is pure made up garbage. I'd love for you to say that to my face. Captain my ass. I'm a graduate of the California Maritime Academy back during the Viet Nam War. I proceeded to sail into that war (Military Sealift Command) and also Desert Shield/Desert Storm (American President Lines). Also, I sailed on 3 ammo ships. Most the rest of my time was on container ships. I retired from MEBA District #1 with over 30 years sea time. The only reason I say this is you have been stupid enough to challenge me and call me a liar. I have too many classmates and friends that have died or are dying from working on those ships to sit here and put up with your stupid comments. Learn how to read. Now, if you have a brain cell in your head, you will apologise. Then I will give more detail on how I climbed a jacob's ladder, along with the pilot, up to the main deck of a loaded tanker coming under the Golden Gate Bridge at night while underway at full ahead.

[@keith8609]

@@Islandwaterjet They do in the uk i can tell you from personal experience in the merchant navy.

[@robertf3479]

My deepest condolences to the Pilot's family and friends. The Jacob's Ladder hasn't really changed in centuries, you would think we could find or develop better ways.

[@erika.franca8019]

At least better construction and materials.

[@BrianFullerton]

We have found and developed better ways: accommodation ladders, brows, flight decks, and many others. We must actually use them.

[@davidoldboy5425]

A Jacobs ladder is not a pilot ladder, it has round rungs and no spreaders

[@richardelliott8352]

weight is an issue with a long ladder, and rope can always be repaired at sea. plus you don't want materials that can be unduly slippery when wet, yet remain easy to grip.

[@ohsweetmystery]

Obviously deaths are extremely rare, so maybe it is kept because it is actually an effective method.

[@cheesemuncher6138]

Thanks for covering this story. Here in the UK the mainstream media have not given it a mention!!!

[@MrRugbylane]

I daresay if it was a young female pilot you would know all about it. Nowadays old men dying on the job isnt newa.

[@Phili2012]

That’s because our media is owned by zillionaires, political organisations or oligarchs all using it for their own means.

[@davidhoins4588]

Not worthy by the bias far right wing Tory propaganda machine

[@the.communist]

Maybe this death accident isnt that important for main media to report

[@michaelb2388]

@@the.communist Yeah, that's what he said.

[@michaelchartres]

In 1958 I was a Cadet Officer on a ship leaving Wellington NZ on Christmas Eve. We were leaving to save harbour dues over the Christmas/New Year break. It was stormy and the seas were very rough. They took a tug boat and barge with a tarp stretched over the hold of the barge and the pilot jumped from the ladder onto the tarp!!! Goodness knows how much they paid that pilot !! I have a deep respect for what they do and was very sad to hear of the accident.

[@hootowl6354]

As a rock climber, I'm surprised there isn't a rope lowered from above which would be clipped onto a harness that the pilot wears. Once clipped in, pilot would join ship ladder and climb, someone above pulling the rope up as pilot climbs. Granted, a rope can get fouled, be in the way, etc., but falling more than a few feet would be impossible. Pilots need to be in good physical condition too, obviously. I assume that is a requirement.

[@wgowshipping]

This has been stated a few times and makes the most sense.

[@HesderOleh]

Same, the only reason I can think of is that you don't want to be clipped in to another vessel until you have really finally committed to the jump as that creates new hazards, but that should be easily mitigated by a quick release. The way I envision it you would be clipped into the pilot boat and then you also clip onto the vessel, until you release yourself from the pilot boat if there is over a certain threshold of tension on the other vessels clip it auto-releases, that could be more than the weight of the pilot because what we are concerned about it the pilot being dragged by the large vessel when they would be much safer on the pilot vessel. Once they are on the ladder they unclip from the pilot vessel and are then held so that the most they can fall is not in the water above the water line on the hull of the large vessel. You would probably want clipping points on the large vessel as in a storm you don't want to be battered against the hull while swinging wildly.

[@hootowl6354]

@@HesderOleh Nothing's perfect. The line from above would be slack until the pilot made the leap, and like was said in the video, the leap is done at a wave crest, so falling between the two vessels would be unlikely. Probably, anything other than being crushed between the vessels would be better than going in the water. Bumps and bruises? Eh. You know, a quick real-up mechanism on the ship is another possible safety feature. But as someone who has experience on thousand-foot cliffs, being untethered seems ridiculously risky. I can't believe people are still jumping to a ladder without a rope from above. That seems whacko in this day and age of safety first. But what do I know. I've never done it.

[@johnturnbull7798]

As a rock climber you are not dealing with moving ships randomly affected by wave action. A rope from above only makes sense in calm weather and after the pilot is already on the ladder and by then he is relatively safe. A moderate swell would require considerable slack in the line which can get in the way or get caught on the pilot boat. If this happens when the pilot is making his jump to the ladder he is at risk of being pulled back off the ladder and probably into the gap between the pilot boat and the ship. Alternatively if the deckhand tries to minimize the slack he creates the risk of the pilot being yanked off the pilot boat and into the gap between the ship and the boat. This is also likely to occur if a bigger wave causes the boat to heave away from the ship.

[@AcidOllie]

Yeah I'm a tree surgeon and was surprised they don't have an anchor point on the main ship and throw down a safety rope or something. The pilot could wear a lightweight harness and just clip on a karabiner. It really wouldn't take much to make this job a bit safer. In this day and age with all the health and safety regulations it's crazy this still goes on like this.

[@chiefsnarlsnortz1610]

Retired Coastie, did Vessel Traffic Service in New Orleans ‘84-‘86 & San Francisco twice. We had to do occasional orientation rides with a pilot! My first was NOBRA 57 (New Orleans Baton Rouge Association). Those ladders need all the respect you can muster!

[@rorybrown9750]

A very good friend of mine died while working as a Pilot in 2007. After years at sea as a ships master he decided to work closer to home as a Pilot working mostly off Felixstowe UK. He suffered a fatal heart attack while transferring from the pilot boat to a very large deep draught vessel. The sheer exertion of the transfer exacerbated an undiagnosed heart condition and he tragically died. I think the difficult and dangerous work that pilots do deserves more recognition.

[@cynthiathomas404]

I couldn’t agree with you better more once I looked more into what they do I was so impressed Big Respect for all men at sea

[@petercharron3268]

Recall a similar incident off San Francisco. I recall the pilot was hit in the back by the gunnel of the pilot boat when the swell lifted the pilot boat and hit the pilot. He died of a heart attack. Correct me if I got this wrong. I now live on the St Lawrence, don’t think we’ve had any fatalities but several groundings, often one a season, one resulted in a huge disastrous oil spill.

[@RescueEMS]

Captain, as a Coast Guard boarding team member after 9/11, I have participated in over 100 boardings using a jacob's ladder. This is the default method in the US. The SF Bar pilots that we boarded with faced extreme risks in boarding and departing vessels. In just one year there were 8 events where a CG member was exposed to a extreme risk (over and above the usual danger). Our after action reports were reviewed and the CG tried a "vertical delivery" via a CG helicopter on a hoist. This evolution presented new dangers as the landing spot on most container ships was a maximum of 6 feet square. Everything your outlined in your narrative happened at one time to one of my team members. Some ships had jacob's ladders that were so old that the steps or the ropes disintegrated when being used. Thank God for the "man rope" (a line thrown over the side and laid next to the ladder for you to grab onto if you detach from the jacob's ladder). The other most dangerous action is when the merchant ship swings its stern into the pilot boat. That crushed the rails of the pilot boat, tossing two of my team down onto the deck. Even if the gear does not fail, the ships crew does everything right, the weather can step in and make it a very bad day. This is an excellent primer for the public to see how pilots worldwide are daily heroes. And yes, the timing of the "jump" from the pilot boat to the jacob's ladder is the most gut wrenching thing undertaken in the whole process. You miss, you are dead.

[@andysaunders3708]

My step-dad was a tanker captain, a ship's pilot, and then went onto lifeboats in the UK. Bravest man I ever knew. Sorely missed.

[@Snoozzzzzze]

I’m in the U.K. and this is the first that I have heard of it. Such a shame and respect to the family. ❤️

[@johnheaneay9940]

Retired Master Australia. Toad to the risk some ships do not correctly position (for pilot boarding - ie Lee or course ) and also suitable speed. Often also Language difficulties, visibility et all combine to make this so difficult and that omits the Sea state etc as well. Having seen and boarded /Disembarked many pilots I admire respect them for all they have to deal with. Sad to hear of this issue and my sympathy to all involved

[@bas6983]

If it was a big vessel the humber requires heading north and making 0 speed. Its not clear to me of it was a boarding arrangement failure or a medical issue with the deceased pilot.

[@michaelb2388]

Toad? 🐸

[@melinda5777]

I used to be a Steamship Agent. I often went out and boarded on the SS from a crew boat the same way the Pilots would. Very dangerous, no harnesses. You hit that Jacob's ladder and keep moving! Don't stop, don't look down, just keep going. There were no extra boards! Some of the ropes were very frayed! My condolences to the family. ✝️🙏❤🇺🇸

[@Woffy.]

Cpt John Temple Snr Pilot used to bring the ships into the Mersey (Liverpool). This meant a 45 minute drive to Port Linus then 30 minutes on the Pilot cutter to meet the ship at the Bar Light. Then came the transfer in swells of several meters and 40 knt winds. Climbing up a G3 container ship took a lot of strength. We take such courage for granted. My condolences.

[@greggb1416]

Damn Sal, the gentleman was just in sight of retirement.., hate to hear this.., peace be with his family. Great report sir, Thank you.

[@axelknutt5065]

Very surprised that the pilot doesn’t wear a harness and clip-on at the very least when he’s on the Jakobs ladder. In my country you can’t even climb on the roof of a house without a safety harness - and a house isn’t moving up/down and side-to-side.

[@bas6983]

It is nearly impossible to clip properly. The launch is moving and the vessel is moving and this is not in sync. 2ndly at that moment the pilot should be relying on the proper functioning, installation maintenance and testing of the safety device.

[@skunkjobb]

@@bas6983 I doubt a safety line and a harness would be so hard to get to function.

[@Corey-pd3mi]

Pilot would have to let go of the ladder to clip on, that’s dangerous

[@bas6983]

@@skunkjobb thats the same as a ladder. If maintained properly thats a safe part. The step between the pilot launch and the ladder is the dangerous part. Clipping on and have the safety line harnass combination in sync with the movements is nearly impossible. Heave/motion compensated devices are existing but near impossible to implememt and maintain on small vessels. If an easy sollution would have been available it would have been implemented. 23y at sea at chemical tankers and 3 ports a week on average when on board.

[@thomasharhen2168]

Same here

[@rickybuhl3176]

As a former docker, loading mostly windmills (wings, nacelles and such) here in Denmark, as well as a few jobs at sea emptying grounded ships - the degree of safety training and commitment to procedure over pace was truly reassuring, having come over from the English job market.. Though even that didn't mean we were free of life changing accidents nor a death. Not everyone is Fred Dibnah, even if we naively consider ourselves spidermen. We had some at-sea transfers to medium and smaller vessels but were always harnessed with a safety line when using the Jacobs Ladder, albeit also a single 'plank' transfer in calm [before the storm 'calm'] seas between a trawler and tug - that too required a safety line, even though it was a single step across. We took 30 mins to transfer 6 workers a few steps; one step on, one across, one down. Seeing the pilot in the example climb on without being clipped onto a safety line from the ship he's transferring to would concern me. My union rep certainly wouldn't let anyone take that option, it's just asking for trouble and relatively careless. I'd be removed from the ship and likely lose my job upon returning to land, at the minimum require completion of additional training before being considered fit for work.

[@anni50ful]

@Ricky As I was watching this clip it did make me wonder why some sort of safety line wasn't used on the rope ladder, different countries different rules I suspect ? Take care

[@stevenkarnisky411]

I am no expert. I am pretty gascinated with the workings of ships. I usually watch the pilots board and depart when I am on cruise ships. I have never seen a pilot use a safety line to board or disembark, in any port. I have seen it done in pretty rough seas where the pilot boat was moving up and down several feet. Every penny pilots get is well earned, in my opinion! Much respect for them.

[@rickybuhl3176]

@@stevenkarnisky411 Would make sense, the sea is their job site and the degree of training that can be assumed to be higher for them, as such they're trusted with a higher degree of danger than mere mortals. Has to be said, after working 60ft (only) up, I now question the safety of everything a little beyond what I would have in the past. It's not an industry that gives many second chances; most cockups tend to have serious consequences.

[@annpeerkat2020]

Safety line... interesting! Dunno about now, but up until the 90s I never saw one offered or used in australia.

[@davidoldboy5425]

My dread was pilot ladders, or even worse Jacobs ladders (round rungs, no spreaders), pilot hoists were equally scary, many crews had no idea how to rig them correctly. Quite a few pilots have been lost in UK waters, usually in the winter.

[@PlanetFrosty]

I’ve watched the pilots boarding from the Pacific to pilot a ship in the Columbia River. That is the most frightening thing. Great reporting, Sal! My condolences.

[@danteawat2943]

Most of the time Pilot embark & disembarked by Helecoper on my ship. Long pilotage going Port land, Oregon. Very dangerous specially at night time.

[@chiefsnarlsnortz1610]

Do you go watch the USCG Motor Lifeboats as well? Curious Retired Coastie! No, I wasn’t a boat Coxswain! Luv watching them pitch & roll! Hard to find complete 360 deg rolls!

[@PlanetFrosty]

@@danteawat2943 you bet, I’ve seen both.

[@leeholmes9962]

Im from the UK I send my respect and condolences to the family and friends of the ship pilot. I think we all should be grateful for the dangerous work these people do with out them food and goods would run out very quickly so A BIG THANK YOU FROM ME FOR THE WORK YOUS DO AND YOUS ALL HAVE MY UP MOST RESPECT ✌️🇬🇧👍

[@almirria6753]

Sorry to hear of this, this is a very dangerous way to make a living Prayers to the ship's crew, his friends & family

[@keithwalker5392]

Thanks for sharing your video on the pilot tragedy, my heart goes out to the family, we watched one ship off Teesside coast the ship actually turned full circle to protect the pilot boat from the wind the pilot did eventually get on board they earn every penny they get. KEITH FROM YORK ENGLAND

[@northerncaptain855]

Sal, as you stated, most Pilots in the US are indeed State Licensed Pilots, however US vessels in domestic trade often use Federal Pilots. A case in point are the Federal Pilots on the Mississippi River. There are also Federal Pilot groups servicing the US Northeast. In my experience both State and Federal Pilots in the U.S. are consummate professionals,

[@wgowshipping]

Agreed. There is a complete list of pilots on the APA site.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

I have watched pilots from cruise ships on quite a few occasions. They have my greatest respect. I remember watching from shore as a boy with my father a ship leaving Wellington Harbour in very rough weather heading into Cook Strait, a distance behind was the pilot boat ploughing through the waves. My father told me that it would soon be picking up the pilot. We had a discussion about how difficult that transfer would be. That was in the early 1960’s and I have never forgotten it. I work in the building industry and believe that everyone deserves to go home after work, however, this does not always happen. My condolences to the family of the pilot.

[@howardsimpson489]

Don't forget the Wahine.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

@@howardsimpson489 I can’t. I watched it sink from Seatoun Beach

[@greentea7037]

So sorry - condolences to his family.

[@ronaldbell3788]

Maritime pilots play a crucial role in world commerce and we often forget the complexity of seafaring activities. Thanks for this video.

[@davidschwartz5127]

I've done that small boat-to-ship transfer many times as a US Navy 6th Fleet Sailor in the Medertrainian Sea, neither vessel was underway but with the waves surging up and down you must time your jump just right at the top of the wave to the ladder. We did not have the jacobs ladder, if you jumped too soon you could end up underwater and soaked as the wave surged up.

[@crinklecut3790]

I was on a sub and we used a pilot to navigate the channel into Norfolk too. I was the outboard operator so I was stuffed inside the ass-end of the boat and never once saw the pilot transfer in all my years of service. 🤣

[@annpeerkat2020]

The risk of getting squashed between the ship and the boarding boat was what worried me!

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Sad event. Thanks for the presentation of this procedure.

[@captwar]

Thanks for posting the video. I used to run a pilot boat at Cape Henry, Virginia. I knew it was dangerous. I would always get the boat out from under the pilot once he got on the ladder. In case he fell he would be better off hitting the water than hitting the boat. I would always stand by and watch until he was safely on the ship, before I would leave. You know, it is not always day time. It is not always calm. It can be rough, It can be very rough. It can be rough and cold. Their can be ice on the boat. Some times the pilot would have a suit case, They would lower a line to pull that up first. The pilots did get off of the ship onto the pilot boat half the time.. The ships used a pilot when they came in and when they went out.

[@steveheck7754]

Imagine that danger, and add the stress of taking control of a ship for the trickiest part of the voyage . Huge respect to those pilots.

[@kingsrook9866]

in case anyone is wondering, SWATH stands for Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull

[@wgowshipping]

Sorry. Blanked on it while I was talking. Forgot the twin.

[@michelenovack575]

I was about to make that comment. I remember when the DTNSRDC was working on that technology way back in the early 1980’s.

[@mikegallegos7]

Not trying to be argumentative; just a comment about aircraft pilots who operate from aircraft carriers: it's a huge challenge to land at night in rough weather. I think both Pilot types have their respective moments of grave challenge. Thanks for your videos. Have a nice day.

[@jawadad73]

really not trying to be argumentative but they have a life jacket.... AND an ejection seat, AND a parachute, AND a small dinghy .. dont they?

[@jawadad73]

oh... and a whole carrier group in case something should go wrong ? ...I know it's not a competetion but you can sit this one out flyboy

[@waikikiwonder2505]

I was a pilot boat Captain in Hawaii for 24 years.. Some where in the world a pilot will die. its a dangerous profession. We lost a pilot back in 2006, Captain David Lyman, Pilot 5, when he fell between the pilot boat and the vessel. This profession can have its bad days even in calm waters. When the shit hits the fan, it will be fast and often times fatal. Even the pilot boat and operator are always in the danger factor when coming along side a ship doing 14 knotts in rough seas at zero dark thirty.. I had many close calls. In Hurricane Iniki 1991, we were tasked with evacuating all ships out of Honolulu Harbor when the hurricane hit and a 25' wave hit the pilot boat on the port side and capsized with me in it but a miracle happened and the vessel came right back up. I should have been the first fatality of that storm. God saved me. so sad to learn about this UK Pilot.

[@PresleysMom]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It's fascinating! I'm happy to hear your life was spared.

[@QALibrary]

I did not see this story reported in the UK but deaths like this in the past have happened and the way they work greatly changed when the death before this happened

[@mikemanning3025]

Hey Sal, definitely sad report!! Sincere condolences to the Pilots family. This takes me back to late seventies when I was employed as ship gauuger/cargo inspector, having to climb "ol Jacob" many times a week. My area was mid-Atlantic and was assisted by great launch services. Still have to say, ya bet your ass, I was well aware of the danger every time embarking or boarding those monster ships. Maybe you could do an episode about gaugers/inspectors in the future!! Love your channel, Mike from Delaware!

[@oldschool1993]

Last time I took the ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, I watched the pilot leave the ship and transfer to the harbor vessel- it was scary.

[@alexandermckay8594]

RIP. The only good thing is that it happens so rarely. I wonder if it was a medical incident while he was boarding.

[@joywebster2678]

His Obit said he was about to retire, so not in his prime.

[@oldcoastie2637]

A sad day indeed. Something I experienced in the 1970's (granted on smaller ships, 7 and 18k ton) were guide boats with pilots aboard in Australia and New Zealand where we were instructed to follow them and given info by radio. What was more exciting was in South America where we boarded pilots who did not speak English LOL. Thanks for another great video.

[@mendel5106]

It would be nice if the maritime industry comes up one day with a safety rope that can be launched to the mates on deck. If he is essentially a "climber" at that point, he might as well use climbing safety gear or a full on harness for that stage, this way he will not be totally dependent on the quality of the Jacobs ladder or the swinging of the waves or the lighting conditions such as boarding at night.

[@RobG001]

Thank you for saying what I was thinking, Presumably there is a reason they don't do this but as a landlubber I have no idea why. :) There is a shocking video on YT of a pilot trying to leave the oil tanker he navigated out of Milford Haven waterway, (In South West Wales) in very heavy seas, It looked scary as hell, they had to give up in the end it was so rough I think he had to stay on board till he could get off in France.

[@mgertp]

As a ship chandler it is essential that the laddders, mooring ropes, and rigging equipment I supply meet very high standards. They come with certificates from the manufacturer describing materials used, detailed dimensions, tolerances, date and place of manufacture. As mentioned in the video, they can be damaged aboard ship but the originals are manufactured to meet today's safety requirements.

[@levanataylor790]

It's been explained in other comments here why they don't do that. Both vessels are moving unpredictably in all directions, so it's up to the judgment and athleticism of the pilot to move around and through these with the right timing. You don't want the pilot attached to anything that would reduce their options for movement or that might yank on them. The drag of the rope if dunked into a wave would be enormous, for example.

[@royalscot4116]

Thank you for this excellent video, "What is going on with shipping?" Well done for showing the dangers. Firstly, A previous YT video from [Sikh at Sea, titled "OMG! Lady Pilot Disembarked the Ship in Rough Weather."] also illustrated the dangers well. In my comment on that video, I stated my firmly held belief that the procedure for embarking/disembarking ships' pilots is intrinsically unsafe. It was clear to me from other commenters on that video, that my view was wrong and some commenters even defended the current practises. Admiration for the bravery of the lady pilot was certainly due to her and to the skills of the pilot boat crew in getting her disembarked. Back in the 70s, I was a deckhand on a pilot boat (in the UK) and I remember my dread every time a pilot was transferred to or from that pilot ladder in rough weather. Things have changed a lot since then, everything happens so much faster now. What has not changed is the lack of proper safety regulations and procedures by our public bodies who, on our behalf, must take more responsibility for the safety of our ships' pilots. THERE MUST BE A SAFER WAY. There must be an inquiry at international level into these unsafe procedures, even one life lost is one too many. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of the ships' pilot in their sad loss. 🙏

[@SuperPirate100]

This a decent report on a very sad event , I'm retired now and worked with Franco quite often so it's nice to see people being respectful. Whilst I feel sad at this tragic accident it must be remembered he was a family man and there loss is just dreadful. To clear up a point , it has been mentioned more than once why isn't the pilot is not attached to the ship with a safety harness. We don't and won't were them for the following points . When rock climbing etc. a harness and line is a valuable safety feature , but the ground and rock face are stationary. When we board a ship it is moving at a requested speed and the pilot launch matches that , also the ship may be rolling and pitching and pilot boar will be doing the same, I've boarded with a vertical movement between the boat and the ship of 8 metres . A safety line would be danger and could pull the pilot off the launch causing an accident. To board the ship you watch the movement of the ship and the launch and jump onto the ladder at what you hope is the highest point - it's a split second judgement. If you look for my videos there are several of board and landing , one of the best is " how a pilot gets off a fairly large ship" it was as calm as it gets but there is still a 2 metre movement between the launch and ship .

[@philgray1023]

Thank you for the explanation of this. I wondered if a dyneema line could be passed down or made available for the pilot to hook onto using a tether once on the ladder. In the conditions pilots operate in there is no way I would be out on deck on my boat without a tether attached to a jack stay. I know that being bashed into the side of a ship in big swells doesn't sound ideal, but heading towards a big screw on the surface would be horrendous. It is desperately sad that Franco did not get to retire as he should have done.

[@SuperPirate100]

@Phil Gray It's just not possible nor safe to tether a pilot , in any sort of wind lines blow about , just too much to snag . I tried to add a rough boarding to my videos on tube but lost two gopros doing it .

[@janmargaret7972]

I live near the Humber. I walk on the side of the river most days with my dogs. I’m so sorry to hear about this accident.

[@johnshields6852]

Sad, that can be a tricky step, especially when swells are high, hesitation often leads to misstep, dangerous transfers. RIP🙏

[@kevinlast7051]

When I was a duty pilot, I had a couple of questionable ladders, night time boarding off the Sunk pilot or the northeast Spit, day light boarding you could see what your getting on night boardings was purely trust, the car ships where the best as they had pilots doors, newer ships hand pilot hoists but very could give you a shock when the wires or ropes would step off the winch drum. But It was great fun when all said and done.

[@bazra19]

There are many rules concerning the Pilot ladder - Man Ropes - Treads and Spreaders etc. One that I always thought should have been added - is - the nwearing of a absailing type Harness. All pilots are to don a harness with a "D" ring at the back - capable of taking the weight of a heavy man (whatever that might be) - the vessel will deploy a Rope with a Carabineer on the end down to the Pilot vessel. On leaving the Pilot vessel or descending the ladder The pilot MUST clip the carabineer on to the "D" ring at all times. The seaman at the top of the Pilot ladder taking in or paying out the slack at all times. Please excuse any incorrect wordage as I suffer from head injury (but you must have a good idea of what I am saying))

[@richardvsessions1302]

about 3 paragraphs in, listening to you reading from a press release, my mind starts to drift...My mind reads faster than you can read out loud...

[@curiouscat3384]

Thank you for educating us! Subscriber since Baltimore bridge crash

[@Flash1857]

Very sad. Condolences to the friends and family

[@merlecharge5303]

You are right, this is the first I am hearing of this in UK

[@mrahob275]

Having just recently done nav/com electronics the on new boat for the TX pilots assn Galveston boat, WOW. This reminds us about how dangerous this job is .. the new Galveston boat got one of the big seakeeper systems to alleviate roll for the transfer ... A Gladding-Hearn pilot xfer boat.

[@joemclaughlin995]

Incredibly sad ! Sympathies to family and colleagues. Thanks to those involved in the rescue attempt. R.I.P. man !

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

A pilot died in 1946 when my dad was “in command” (as a British Army Officer overseeing the skipper) of a ship taking Polish refugees back to Poland. High seas.

[@eherrmann01]

So sorry to hear about this tragedy. Pilots are some of the bravest men and women in the maritime industry, and my thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Galio.

[@MegaSunspark]

Safety line hanging from a high point on the vessel being boarded. Clip it on to a harness on the pilot just before he steps on the the rope ladder. Very cheap and effective. Millions of workers that work on high structures been doing it for many decades now and it has been very effective.

[@waryviewer488]

Wow! Thanks for an insider's perspective!

[@user-bt8vn3dj6o]

Excellent presentation.

[@pseudopetrus]

My heart goes out the that pilots family!

[@SoberOKMoments]

May his memory be a blessing to his family and all who knew him. R.I.P. Mr. Pilot.

[@ellen6229]

So Sad, I have watched quite a few videos of people going up/down those rope ladders, Very Scary, Praying for Family 🙏 Thank You Sal

[@Trump985]

I’m honestly surprised this doesn’t happen more often. If had some close calls myself just trying to go from the tug to a barge. I personally know someone who was killed and someone who lost a leg boarding a barge in rough conditions.

[@Lyn4817]

A well cared for and nicely designed pilot boat. We've been in many ports over the years and have never seen this design of pilot boats before. We use to provide diving services to ships in harbour and one of the biggest issue was mooring ropes caught in ships propellers, including the Pilot boat. At that time our local harbour was a natural deep water harbour. The Pilot lived next door to us and very close to the international shipping wharf. So we were privy to some extremely interesting and funny stories. Many were due to language misinterpretations as maritime English, much like Air Pilots where English was the common denominator which wasn't brought in until 2001. Maritime English was adapted or Standard Maritime Communication Phrases or SMCP. We found it hilarious listening to them on our scanner. It was always a special treat when the resupply ship was in port as we regularly ended in up in their wet mess. That was usually on weekends so we enjoyed many a great night on board that ship, again listening to many a shipping tail.

[@lukes7027]

First time. Very nicely narrated!

[@janedoe8983]

Our good friend Emil was a pilot in the Panama Canal and said one of the scariest part was the small amount of space between the ship and the canal (1 to 2 feet on big boats). And all the tourists were lined up along the rails.

[@90w30n]

Fascinating! I had no idea.

[@deepforestenergy60]

I want to tell you about an accident that happened once with MSC VALENCIA in Peru. After disembarking the Pilot, the captain moved forward, and at that moment the engine of the pilot boat stalled. As a result, the pilot boat was pulled under the VALENCIA screw by the current and was seriously damaged. And the reason is that the Duty Officer, who accompanied the pilot, did not report, and the captain did not make sure that the Pilot Boat moved away from the vessel to a safe distance.

[@PaulCashman]

Approaching Port Everglades on Independence of the Seas after a "bomb cyclone" storm to the north had whipped up winds and waves.... The pilot boat was skipping up and down like a ski boat as he approached the ship. That pilot earned his keep that morning! This was the same storm system that famously laid Anthem of the Seas over on its side with a 15-20 degree list for two hours, much farther to the north.

[@chrisl2632]

One Med cruise we were anchored out in Livorno Italy. a storm came up and the only boat they ran out was the gig to take the new duty section. Of course I was in that duty section. They put the Jacob's ladder down over the stern. standing there waiting to jump one minute we were looking at the black paint of the water line. The next minute we were looking down at the deck on a Spruance class destroyer. Needless to say, after that I never went ashore if we were anchored out the rest of the cruise.

[@robertlevine2152]

Sal, Its always sad to hear about accidents of any type on ships and sadder to hear about a death. I, as you know, worked as a naval architect and marine engineer. During my career I boarded vessels using a Jacob's ladder, a rope basket, a powered hoist and by the accommodation ladder. Each method has it's pluses and minuses. It is not easy to climb a Jacob's ladder. You need to transfer on when the boat is at it's crest and scramble up the first few rungs to assure you don't get hit by the pilot boat. Getting off is the exact opposite. I hated the powered hoist because you only had about ten feet of ladder and then it was two wires. If the hoist broke, there was nothing to climb. I boarded a 188,500 DWT tanker in the Santa Barbara Channel at night from a crew boat using a winch ladder. More than one Pilot refused to use the winch ladder. The rope basket was terrifying. You had to run across the deck, grab onto the basket and secure your footing. I swear that my finger prints were embedded into rope for eternity. The crane operator pulled the basket off the deck as fast as he could to assure the boat did not hit the basket. I always thought getting onto accommodation ladders was the safest method. I believe the Welin design with the trap door and attached section of Jacob's ladder was the best arrangement. Of note, it is better if the accommodation ladder is arranged so it slopes from fore (maximum height) to aft (lowest height). If the fore end is lowest it can get buried in a wave. The reason a harness and rope are not used is because of the relative motion of the ship and pilot boat. The pilot has to time his movement from the pilot boat to the peak of the wave, and when the pilot boat is closest to the ship. If the pilot is attached by harness there is a risk of being pulled from the pilot should the timing not be right. There is also a chance of the rope getting tangled in the pilot ladder or with the pilot boat. I believe it would be safer to land a helicopter onto a vessel. I would not think that transferring a pilot by harness or basket would be a good choice. As I recall there are places where baskets and harnesses are used. Bob

[@redstrat1234]

A question - why doesn't the large boat crew throw a rope to the pilot before he moves on to the ladder - that rope could be latched on to a harness on the pilot to stop him if he should fall. Keep the rope a wee bit taught as the pilot moves across and take up the rope slack as the pilot ascends the ladder. Rock climbers are hitched to a safety rope all of the time to prevent falling.

[@arnswine]

Lightweight, very strong helmets and body armor spare thousands of motorcyclists from effects of extremely violent accidents every day.. Maybe a few pilots demonstrating utility and ease of use in a few training vids would help spread the idea. Unlikely to help with the between-hull crushing problem, but for sure would help with head knocks and falls. LED's mounted on the helmet might help with night ops and locating pilots after plunges. Also grappling a self-reeling belaying line tossed from the ship in addition to the Jacob's ladder, then hooking it up to a body harness before transferring to the ladder might be an easy, smart option. At least in foul weather. It took U.S. bull riders a long time to accept safety gear, but nowadays wearing full head and neck protection isn't considered unusual. Just automatic thoughts based on zero marine experience... -S

[@carbostar]

I've joined a few ships while they have been underway. In various sea states and conditions, You need to be fully focused and have all your wits about you. Marine pilots are the best and rarely take unnecessary risks, My condolences to his family ,friend's and colleagues.

[@PhillipAlcock]

The Houston video is “misleading” because it’s a flat-calm sea. That looks like a safety line would be possible to use. When the seas are rough and the winds are strong, and the pilot boat and ship are moving around a lot, it’s a whole different story! Note - not from personal experience but from a friend who was an experienced pilot here in the UK.

[@noybennun9588]

Very sad story. But I really value this video and its importance. If you know what the US or UK are planning on doing to increase the safety of the pilots please make a video on it.

[@cabal0092009]

This are very sad news. My condolences to family and friends. Thanks a lot for taking the oporttunity to mention how important is the work that pilots do.

[@robinwells8879]

Very sad news. My heart goes out to those left grieving. I work in offshore renewables and we face similar issues boarding offshore wind turbine towers. We are developing a laser controlled heave compensated personnel Hiab winch transfer system for transferring techs. Currently we have to step off the vessel whilst the crew transfer vessel pushes on hard to push on fenders to dampen vessel movement and step on to a ladder as the vessel is expected to drop down the wave. Pilots have two moving bodies to straddle and I suspect they have much wider sea state condition limits. Respect!

[@hammyh1165]

Friend of mine just retired as a pilot . He spent his last couple of years teaching and testing pilots. His hands were crippled from the cold and climbing ladders .

[@geezzzwdf]

from what ni have seen only a saftyline lowered from the larger vessel and cliped on to the pilot's harness could help this situation.

[@stephenmajor5498]

First of all, I'm truly saddened by the news of the pilot that lost his life in the UK. My thoughts and prayers are for his family and loved ones (for whatever that is worth). I have worked as a longshoreman at the Port of Miami for 25 years and have lost many friends in maritime related accidents including the last voyage of The SS Norway in which I was one of the first to assist with emergency aid to crew members. We're ALWAYS cognizant of the risks to everyone in this profession and feel each loss of life as a loss of a family member irrespective of their location. Now, I also happen to be a commercial pilot of the "winged" variety and thought that last comment was unnecessary! Hopefully, you'll avoid those types of insults with your next video and then I'll subscribe. Thanks for the good information and presentation.

[@skipperry63]

This is a great channel and I feel like you're a fellow Mariner. Thank you for your insight.

[@mfeldheim]

Thanks for the detailed walkthrough. I am really surprised that there are not better procedures in place after hundreds of years this is done worldwide. The pilot ship should use own equipment to enter. Require the ships to just follow a procedure to get that trusted and standardized ladder / boarding equipment up to height

[@robkunkel8833]

I interviewed a ship’s pilot when I was in my 20s before the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida had been hit by a large ship and causing the collapse of one of two spans that crossed the wide bay. In my interview, he left me on a small boat and climbed that long ladder. He looked 30 pounds overweight but said that he never thought about wearing a harness. I was amazed. Was he the pilot who maneuvered the ill-fated ship sometime later? Not sure. Thanks for your work.

[@RDC_Autosports]

the one video from awhile back the pilot waited forever cause of rough seas, go figure the time he goes the boats smash together and crushed his foot. when transferring anyone i always had the fenders out and i would push into the other vessel with the port bow and to avoid that. the water is a dangerous place, just like the air. 🙏 for the pilot

[@shakeypeet]

Just have to add , at night , they have lights , 37 years , local 502 ILWU ....An injury to one is an injury to all ...

[@jamesgraham6122]

RIP to a brave man doing excellent and much appreciated work.. Another well produced presentation, in spite of the (hopefully) tongue in cheek jibe at us aviation pilots :>) I was telling myself for years that once retired I'd apply to experience a voyage on a freighter, (you wouldn't get me aboard a cruise ship).. unfortunately, now retired I don't have the funds! Stay safe all you crews, the general public have little idea just how risky some of your work is.

[@wgowshipping]

James..of course I was joking. Just trying to give ship pilots there due. All the respect for aviators.

[@stevek4449]

Why not do what power companies do? Have a hydraulic boom bucket system from pilot boat to raise, rotate, extend and lower pilot to deck and pilot controls till boarded. Jumps out on stuntman bag when close, then boat retracts? Or have boat equipped with big scissor lift system?

[@AllNighterHeider]

I just got word a week ago that a former deckmate of mine passed away. Not on the water but still not fun the hear of a friends death. RIP Roy Ferrara, San Pedro won't be the same without you there.

[@crapp0]

I board vessels rather frequently for onsite inspections, but their usually anchored and have ever boarded on while on the way. The worst i have experienced was disembarking a ship while at anchor and a storm was approaching in south korea.

[@snuffle2269]

Nice video starting at @10:00 but that is near dead calm water. I've seen the transfer when the pilot boat is crashing up and down in the swells.

[@nickmaclachlan5178]

Having joined a ship under way in this manner, I can confirm it's scary shit. You have to get your timing right and be confident about your handholds and initial foot placement, any second guessing or hesitation will get you killed real quick. A friend of mine ended up in the drink once, luckily he didn't get crushed between the hulls and got picked up ok. Could have ended very differently though.

[@MarinePilotDownunder]

The fear disappears eventually, which is the really scary part...

[@SamRalls-ti1be]

I have a suggestion. It's just a thought. Why not use a neodymium magnet lifeline, (N7 or stronger) that could be tossed up on the ship's hull. Once it is in place, it could be connected to the pilot's harness. If there is a mishap....the pilot could either be recovered by the pilot boat or pulled up by a line from the ship. Just saying that for very little cost, you could create a major safety recovery option. Not looking for any recognition .....just making a suggestion. God Speed........PS. The magnet could be placed with an extended pole from the pilot boat.....several options. It could be an electromagnet dropped down from the ship and activated.

[@dryflyman7121]

I cannot understand why vertical, shallow stepped ladders were not banned years ago and why before leaving the pilot boat the pilot does not have a ship’s drop rope attached to a safety harness. How does this get past health & safety requirements? Senseless.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

Pilot boat looks much stronger/bigger than those on the Humber... (usually a long cutter craft) also, I always slightly questioned taking pilots on in the estuary itself, due to the steep chaotic waves the shallower relief and high current tends to form... maybe, requiring pilots prior to entry would have been wiser.

[@knutknutsen5610]

We have a pilot service covering our entire coast from Sweden down in south east all the way along the Norwegian coast up north east to the border of Russia. A few of those pilots covers the entire stretch! Hundres of lights and light sectors, seamarks and waterdepths to remember. An almost unbelievable task. Every day and night our Pilots will embark or disembark vessels in practically any kind of horrible weather conditions and heavy sea to or from small pilot boats to or from a dangling rope ladder. Sometimes accidents happens. Those Gentlemen of the seas are capable of directing a ship safely along the coast in dense fog, just by compas and watch, without the aid from chart plotters or radars- they know their coast. Those guys deserves respect!

[@spelunkerd]

I don't work in this industry but the videos of some of these transfers are hair raising. There has to be a better way, it should not be a procedure that requires skill, balance, and timing. Because the pilot boat is so much smaller than the ship, ropes that are strung will be much more stable when hung from the ship rather than a bouncing smaller craft. This means that the maritime industry needs to mandate equipment on each ship that arrives at port. I'm a little surprised that pilots aren't clipped in to a rope first before they make that leap, but I guess the rope could pull him off if the pilot boat bounces away. The common risk seems to be the chance of being smashed between the two boats if you don't transfer at a peak wave.

[@edstewart367]

I don't see a safety line down from the ship. You wold think that would be basic and very easily done.

[@lilstubthumb]

Right? Harness up, then get on the ladder. Wouldn't OHSA rules apply here? They're way higher than the normal tie-off height.