Maritime pilots are mariners who guide ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. They are expert ship handlers who possess detailed knowledge of local waterways.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Commanding and navigating ship or similar vessel at sea or on inland waterways;
(b) Controlling and participating in deck and bridge-watch activities;
(c) Navigating vessels into and out of ports and through channels, straits and other waters where special knowledge is required;
(d) Ensuring safe loading and unloading of cargo and observance of safety regulations and procedures by crew and passengers;
(e) Performing technical supervision of maintenance and repair of ship to ensure compliance with specifications and regulations;
(f) Applying knowledge of principles and practices relating to ship’s operation and navigation in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work;
(g) Ordering ship’s stores and recruiting crew as required and maintaining record of operations;
(h) Transmitting and receiving routine and emergency information with shore stations and other ships.