Remote pilotage: the profession of maritime pilot in a changing landscape

Abstract

Maritime pilots are the key actors of a public service established by coastal States to facilitate maritime trade, protect the safety of life at sea, and ensure the integrity of the coastal marine environment. Once transferred onboard the ship, the pilot coordinates with the bridge team as an adviser whose local knowledge, expertise and independent judgement are officially recognized by the national authority. Since the time when merchant ships and pilot boats were propelled by wind and used sails, ships evolved and became more sophisticated, but the mission of the pilot remained the same: to help the bridge team to safely and swiftly move the vessel into and out of the port. Pilots operate in dangerous work contexts all year round, night and day, in all sea and weather conditions, onboard various types of ships. A new concept of ‘remote maritime pilotage’ has appeared and may change the working conditions of a profession whose existence dates to the beginnings of maritime trade. In remote maritime pilotage, the pilot assists the bridge team from the shore. The pilot is no longer transferred onboard the ship and has therefore no more physical contact with the ship’s bridge. While technology development is underway for remote pilotage, this study outlines the changes expected in the way maritime pilots perform their mission and to what extent this new concept may solve some of the challenges faced by the profession.

Keywords: Remote, Pilotage, Maritime, Pilot

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007891