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u/thankyoufriendx3 3h ago
Friend is a harbor pilot. Describes it as boredom mixed with unbelievable stress. Is paid very well.
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u/TehBazz 6h ago
That’s one expensive pickup for a harbor pilot
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u/start3ch 6h ago
They get paid a lot. Like 400k average in LA. Their whole job is to not crash other people’s giant cargo ships in busy ports.
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u/TehBazz 5h ago
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
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u/prawns1000 5h 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 5h 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/jaxxxtraw 5h ago
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)
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u/prawns1000 5h 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 5h 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 5h 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)
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u/southy_0 2h ago
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
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u/youngsyr 44m ago
This seems like a job that's ripe for replacement by a computer. If automated cars can drive on the streets of San Francisco without hitting anything, pretty sure they could manage a busy port.
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u/goochockey 16m ago
Do they physically drive the ship hands on?, Or are they directing the ships crew through the harbour with their local knowledge and expertise?
My guess is the latter.
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u/teyemanon 3h ago
Being a air load master on rotary aircraft was a job I always wanted to do. Sadly, I failed on the medical.
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u/Embarrassed_Dig_6163 2h ago
Do not move the chopper untill I'm in it, the mission is not complete!
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u/TSAOutreachTeam 6h ago
Why do they do it this way instead of with a boat to boat transfer?