A harbor pilot, also known as a maritime pilot, is a boat pilot who is familiar with a specific port or harbor. Large ships must be guided into a port with specific deep water channels surrounded by shallower flats, which necessitates the use of a pilot. Docking ships would become a major hazard without the assistance of a harbor pilot. Running aground and damaging the ship and cargo, some of which could be hazardous if released into a water-based ecosystem, would be a real possibility.
In most cases, becoming a harbor pilot does not necessitate a specific degree; rather, it necessitates a significant amount of experience and local knowledge, which can only be gained through practice. The majority of them will begin as assistants and work their way up to becoming pilots. Some may be employed by specific companies whose ships pass through certain ports on a regular basis. The vast majority, on the other hand, are self-employed. This gives you the best chance of finding steady work.
Some harbor pilots specialize in specific ship types. Some may, for example, be better at bringing in large freighters. Others might specialize in assisting military ships as they navigate dangerous waters. Some may even be used to assist large cruise ships carrying hundreds of passengers. In order to be successful, the harbor pilot must be at ease with the ship he or she is piloting. Even the tiniest errors can have disastrous consequences.
Currents, in addition to shallow flats, are another hazard to contend with when bringing ships into port. Currents may be calm or shift from one direction to the other depending on the tide. In any harbor, knowing how the tide affects these currents is crucial. During an incoming tide, the same strategy for docking a vessel may not work during an outgoing tide. As a result, when working in the harbor, the harbor pilot must keep this in mind.
The harbor pilot may have to deal with inclement weather on a regular basis. Similarly to how currents can affect a large ship’s movement, the wind can significantly alter the ship’s direction and how it reacts. Windy conditions are common in the vicinity of ports and harbors. The wind will frequently change direction throughout the day, adding yet another variable for a pilot to contend with.
A harbor pilot will, in most cases, collaborate closely with the harbor master. The harbor master is in charge of law enforcement and customs, as well as deciding which ships dock where. As a result, in order to provide the best possible service to his or her client, the pilot will frequently try to maintain a positive working relationship with the harbor master.