Fantasy approaching Port Canaveral

[RRB]

I just watched an interesting series of events as the Fantasy is approaching the port.... another vessel had left the port and was heading directly toward the Fantasy. The type and size of the vessel was not listed on Marine Traffic so it is not sure how big the vessel is. The 2 boats were on a collision course and I snapped a couple screen shots.....

Please note the scale at the bottom left of the picture



and a screen shot a little later, again note the scale.....



I continued to watch the site and now the other boat has turned and is returning to port.

[Bonniec]

Could it be a boat checking on her?

[DisneyOHFan]

It was most likely the pilot boat.

[RRB]

could be, but those type of vessels are usually identified by AIS

[RRB]

You are right. I just checked the MMSI number for the vessel and it is a Pilot boat from Port Canaveral.

[Bonniec]

What exactly IS a pilot boat anyway? What do they do?

[DisneyOHFan]

Someone gets off the pilot boat and actually takes over the ship bringing it into port. From my understanding, the captain never brings the boat into or out of a port.

[Bonniec]

Oh wow, really? That's interesting to know. What about when it docks elsewhere, like CC?

[DisneyOHFan]

Originally Posted by Bonniec

Oh wow, really? That's interesting to know. What about when it docks elsewhere, like CC?

CC they may do, but I'm not sure. Our server in Palo was explaining it to us one evening because we were pulling away from St Thomas and really slowed down and he said it was because the driver was getting back in the pilot boat. At first, I thought he was pulling my leg, but I asked an officer later and he confirmed.

[kcashner]

Yes, this occurs at most ports, as well as places like the Panama Canal. Now....who pays when the pilot slams the ship into the wall of the canal and gouges out a hunk of her hull?????

[truck1]

Basically a harbor pilot is a capt who is an expert at a given port on conditions etc. They work for thenport. Ill use Port Canaveral as an example. He is an expert on where the channel is obstructions underwater wave tides anything that had to with the safe operation of a ship in PC. He would know for example to stay to 1 side of a channel because something was sunk while a ship was at sea or that a wind from 1 direction with a current from another causes a ship to do something different. They can draw from memory all of the sand bars and obstructions for their port. They bring this to a ships bridge and recommend actions to a ships capt. The only place i know of and im not sure on the other is the Panama Canal. There the Pilot is in absolute control of a ship. What the pilot says is law. At pc and other ports its more of a recommendation and the ships capt is still in charge. In the canal zone the ship is basically surrendered to the canal pilot while in transit. The place im not sure of is the Suez canal. I dont remember if they follow the same rules as the Panama Canal.

As far as who pays at PC if something happens depends on the situation. If the pilot says go here and the ship runs aground its on the pilot. If the pilot says dont go to your terminal somethings sunk there and the ship goes in anyway and hits something its on the ship. There are black boxes and voice recorders on the bridge and can tell who did what when and who said what so when an independent investigation occurs the truth will come out.

[jillgunter]

I seen a show one time were the pilot boat guy took the ship in. Seems like it was a cruise ship in Alaska. It was interesting tho! Glad the ship made it in, we will be on the Fantasy in two weeks.