Pilots exist to ensure that ships are navigated safely. This is particularly
important in restricted waters that are often treacherous where the expert local
knowledge and experience of professional pilots is essential. Pilots have three
main goals: to protect human life; to protect the environment; and to protect the
asset - the ships and its cargo.
It is obviously a responsible job... lives and millions of dollars are at stake.
Failure to do the job properly can cause irreparable damage to the environment and can
certainly have far-reaching effects beyond that.
By anyone's definition, being a pilot is a tough job. It's mentally and physically demanding.
Not only are we accountable for the safe navigation of a tremendous variety of vessels,
from supertankers to cruise ships, we also work in the worst climactic conditions and have
to climb sides of ships to get to the job, often in dangerous circumstances.
It's not a job for those who desire a low-stress, 9-to-5 life. But, if the challenges
are great...so are the rewards that come from knowing that you play a critical role in
keeping the world's ships moving safely.