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Harbour Pilot - Personal requirements

Kaiurungi Aka

Skills & knowledge

Harbour pilots need to have:

knowledge of tides, waters, coastlines, marine hazards and weather conditions

knowledge of the port they are working in and its harbour

knowledge of customs procedures and correct safety procedures

excellent navigational and ship-handling skills

leadership skills

good communication skills

decision-making ability.

Nigel Meek advising a ship's captain

Robert Kerr watching a berthing from the deck

Robert Kerr and a ship's master observing the ship berth

Personal Qualities

Harbour pilots need to be:

able to work well under pressure and remain calm
alert and safety-conscious
disciplined and responsible
practical and adaptable
tactful and diplomatic when necessary.

"You have to be prepared to give orders, stand by them and justify your decisions, particularly in an emergency situation."

Nigel Meek - Harbour Pilot

Physical Requirements

Harbour pilots need to be reasonably fit, and they should have a good level of stamina. They also need good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses) and they may need to meet certain medical requirements.

"You've got to be reasonably fit as you have to climb the pilot ladder, which is a vertical climb, straight up the side of the ship in all weather conditions. Then you may have to climb the equivalent of seven stories inside the vessel."

Rodger Laycock - Harbour Pilot

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