Pilot boats

IanL said:
Why do pilot boats always travel at top speed? Surely all their business is booked well in advance and they could set out a little earlier and travel at a more modest speed using less fuel and causing less wash.

I guess the answer is- because they can. Is there another reason?
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Well, if you take Souhampton, the Pilot needs to get from Dock Head to the Nab, to board incoming, who will had radio'd in about 20 miles out. Its a long way, unless they go at speed.
Pilots operate out of commercial ports, so maybe yachties should be sympathetic.
 
alant said:
Well, if you take Souhampton, the Pilot needs to get from Dock Head to the Nab, to board incoming, who will had radio'd in about 20 miles out. Its a long way, unless they go at speed.
Pilots operate out of commercial ports, so maybe yachties should be sympathetic.
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I don't think the pilots go out from Dockhead to the Nab. They come out of Portsmouth (Haslar) for the eastern end of the Wight. In the western Solent the port patrol & escort boats drop the pilot on board at East Lepe.
 
Giblets said:
I don't think the pilots go out from Dockhead to the Nab. They come out of Portsmouth (Haslar) for the eastern end of the Wight. In the western Solent the port patrol & escort boats drop the pilot on board at East Lepe.
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They speed out of Pompey harbour with complete disregard for the mayhem they cause to other boat users - pain in the butt
 
Seajet said:
Good tip; by the same token, I always tell people if you see a ferry, look on his reciprocal course as his mate may well be coming the other way...
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I used to keep my boat on the Gareloch and on sailing back up the Clyde I always seems to pass through the tiny quadrilateral patch of sea which ensured close passes from the Dunoon to Gourock ferry, the Gourock to Dunoon ferry, the Hunter's Quay to McInroy's point ferry and the McInroy's Point to Hunter's Quay ferry, all of which left on the hour and the half hour.
 
chanelyacht said:
RIBS cannot be used for pilot operations, as they do not meet the legal requirements - the Pilot Boat Code is very stringent on what can and cannot be used, construction standards, etc.
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Plus to operate 24/7, rather than the sunny days that leisure RIBbers choose, all on board would have to be suited and booted in drysuits and helmets - just as the Navy and the Customs crews are. Which would then be a bit incongruous, not to mention uncomfortable, in the indoor shirts-and-epaulettes environment of a ship's bridge.

Pete
 
IanL said:
Why do pilot boats always travel at top speed? Surely all their business is booked well in advance and they could set out a little earlier and travel at a more modest speed using less fuel and causing less wash.

I guess the answer is- because they can. Is there another reason?
Click to expand...

If you were given a high speed boat to play with and someone else picking up the fuel bill, would you bimble off at 10kn? I wouldnt.
 
As a pilot boat coxswain I feel there are a few points that need addressing here.
1st. Who says that pilot boats do not run at slower speed? The station I work at has two types of launches. The older boats have CATs which are governed back to 2100rpm from 2350rpm reducing speed by approx 2.5 knots. The newer launches are not governed but we are instructed to run at 1600rpm instead of 1820rpm. And I regularly run less than that.
2nd. In Ramsgate most yachts that lay on the western breakwater, do not need to. They could find a quieter berth within the marina if they could be bothered, therefore more sheltered.
3rd. Even at full speed, the wash created by a pilot boat is no more than the sea conditions you would encounter in say a force 4 or 5. If this is unacceptable then maybe a caravan is a wise investment.
4th. Complaints seem to only come from sail boat owners. Such people who seem to forget the rules of the road and very rarely give way when motoring. I'm afraid I'm quite stubborn, and if I'm running among the shore on my starboard side and a yacht motoring fine on my port bow, if said yacht doesn't alter to starboard, I'm not slowing down and you are going to cop the full wash.
 
2. Occasionally there is no option as the marina is sometimes full.

3. I have rarely had a problem with pilot boat washes whilst round that area (except at night), but this is not an excuse for deliberately bouncing a yacht around. If the seas are flat then all on board may not be expecting a big wave. Someone down below may be knocked over, or suffer burns if cooking if it is unexpected. Similarly deckwork could be hazardous. Could you live with yourself if you knocked a singlehander over the side and killed him? If the seas are 4 to 5 then crew adjust their behavior accordingly - eg wear harnesses/lifejackets/hold on better.

4. 'I'm not slowing down and you are going to cop the full wash' - on the roads this ends up with road rage. One bit of poor seamanship does not deserve another, especially from a professional. Surely it is better to show the amateur how it is done well, not how poorly a professional can behave? With the small size and high speeds pilot boats make they are up to a yacht very quickly, and can 'appear out of nowhere', especially if the skipper is also focused on something else as well eg. mopping up the last cup of tea spilled by the last pilot boat that came past!
 
Callahan.44 said:
As a pilot boat coxswain I feel there are a few points that need addressing here.
1st. Who says that pilot boats do not run at slower speed? The station I work at has two types of launches. The older boats have CATs which are governed back to 2100rpm from 2350rpm reducing speed by approx 2.5 knots. The newer launches are not governed but we are instructed to run at 1600rpm instead of 1820rpm. And I regularly run less than that.
2nd. In Ramsgate most yachts that lay on the western breakwater, do not need to. They could find a quieter berth within the marina if they could be bothered, therefore more sheltered.
3rd. Even at full speed, the wash created by a pilot boat is no more than the sea conditions you would encounter in say a force 4 or 5. If this is unacceptable then maybe a caravan is a wise investment.
4th. Complaints seem to only come from sail boat owners. Such people who seem to forget the rules of the road and very rarely give way when motoring. I'm afraid I'm quite stubborn, and if I'm running among the shore on my starboard side and a yacht motoring fine on my port bow, if said yacht doesn't alter to starboard, I'm not slowing down and you are going to cop the full wash.
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Your post succinctly encapsulate the pilot boat problem. Arrogant boy racers to a man.
 
J
Callahan.44 said:
As a pilot boat coxswain I feel there are a few points that need addressing here.
1st. Who says that pilot boats do not run at slower speed? The station I work at has two types of launches. The older boats have CATs which are governed back to 2100rpm from 2350rpm reducing speed by approx 2.5 knots. The newer launches are not governed but we are instructed to run at 1600rpm instead of 1820rpm. And I regularly run less than that.
2nd. In Ramsgate most yachts that lay on the western breakwater, do not need to. They could find a quieter berth within the marina if they could be bothered, therefore more sheltered.
3rd. Even at full speed, the wash created by a pilot boat is no more than the sea conditions you would encounter in say a force 4 or 5. If this is unacceptable then maybe a caravan is a wise investment.
4th. Complaints seem to only come from sail boat owners. Such people who seem to forget the rules of the road and very rarely give way when motoring. I'm afraid I'm quite stubborn, and if I'm running among the shore on my starboard side and a yacht motoring fine on my port bow, if said yacht doesn't alter to starboard, I'm not slowing down and you are going to cop the full wash.
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Pretty much weighs it up I'd say! We are the "professionals" you lot get out of the way. Taxi and bus drivers with no one to police them!
 
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Callahan.44 said:
2nd. In Ramsgate most yachts that lay on the western breakwater, do not need to. They could find a quieter berth within the marina if they could be bothered, therefore more sheltered.
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Harbour bylaws state: "9. Except with the permission of the Harbour Master, and subject to the Collision Regulations, the master of a vessel shall not knowingly cause or permit the vessel to proceed at a speed greater than 5 knots through the water."

Not sure what you are saying. That you ignore this speed limit?
 
Callahan.44 said:
As a pilot boat coxswain I feel there are a few points that need addressing here.
1st. Who says that pilot boats do not run at slower speed? The station I work at has two types of launches. The older boats have CATs which are governed back to 2100rpm from 2350rpm reducing speed by approx 2.5 knots. The newer launches are not governed but we are instructed to run at 1600rpm instead of 1820rpm. And I regularly run less than that.
2nd. In Ramsgate most yachts that lay on the western breakwater, do not need to. They could find a quieter berth within the marina if they could be bothered, therefore more sheltered.
3rd. Even at full speed, the wash created by a pilot boat is no more than the sea conditions you would encounter in say a force 4 or 5. If this is unacceptable then maybe a caravan is a wise investment.
4th. Complaints seem to only come from sail boat owners. Such people who seem to forget the rules of the road and very rarely give way when motoring. I'm afraid I'm quite stubborn, and if I'm running among the shore on my starboard side and a yacht motoring fine on my port bow, if said yacht doesn't alter to starboard, I'm not slowing down and you are going to cop the full wash.
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You've misused the word coxswain - coxswains are skilled and competent helmsmen. You're just a disaster waiting to happen who hasn't got a clue.
 
The nick Callahan.44 appears to refer to Dirty Harry and the size of his Magnum. I think we're being trolled, lads.
 
Am sticking up f0r the pilot boats, pleasure craft that use the waters round busy ports should be aware be aware of the problems in volved most are and allow for the factor.

Pilot boats don't come out of the blue if your keeping a proper look out.

If your concerned about the wash then you should turn your craft into it for the three slaps you will get.

Harbour masters make the rules, speed restrictions etc. most pilot boats are operated by the HM. therefore exempt.

You should be grateful they are around as they can assist pleasure craft in trouble and do so frequently any time of day and night and most weather conditions. They are there long before the RNLI lot get out of there pits and am talking from experience.

I sail in the eastern med and frequently encounter huge wakes compared to pilot craft, caused by very large superyachts going at high speeds. You expect it and allow for it when the wake arrives you turn into it for a minute or two then carry on on with your passage. its part of the scenery,

So stop whinging make allowances for it and get on with enjoying your day. or take to canal cruises. :encouragement:
 
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While I have always thought anyone going to sea ought to be able to deal with any waves which Neptune might send their way, there is such a thing as being considerate to others.

If a lifeboat on an emergency goes past flat out, fair enough; a pilot boat - which is really a gin palace on a schedule with the excuse ' Oh but we're professionals ' is something else.
 
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