ABSTRACT
Whilst the ship’s master is in overall command of the vessel, the role and function of the maritime pilot is of equal, if temporary, importance. As the name suggests, the maritime pilot supports the master in bringing the ship safely into and out of port. Whereas the master is concerned with the navigation and handling of the ship, the pilot’s role is to advise, and counsel, the master on the most effective and safest ways of manoeuvring the ship. The role and importance of the pilot increases exponentially as the size of the vessel increases and the manoeuvrability of the vessel decreases. Indeed, ships that carry hazardous cargoes or dangerous products, such as oil tankers, are more dependent than most on the pilot’s expertise. The profession of the maritime pilot requires years of training and expertise about local waters, tides, currents, and weather conditions. If the entry to the port is narrow or has unusual hazards such as sandbanks or precautionary channels, then a pilot must be brought on board to provide expert guidance. The pilot must therefore work alongside the ship’s master, complements the expertise of the master about their ship with expert knowledge of the port and its seaways.
