Written By: Sarah Daniels
Harbor pilots play an essential role in maritime navigation, ensuring the safe and efficient passage of ships through ports worldwide.
At the bustling Port of Long Beach in California, the Jacobsen Pilot Service’s professional Pilots face unique challenges as they guide some of the world’s largest vessels through tight and often treacherous channels. For many, it’s surprising to learn that only a harbor pilot can bring a ship into the Long Beach port, which makes the pilots’ role in the ecosystem essential.
What is a Harbor Pilot?
A Harbor Pilot is a specialist in navigating ships through challenging waters, particularly when entering or leaving a port. Unlike the ship’s Captain, who is responsible for the vessel during the entire voyage, a Pilot takes control of the ship only in local waters. Their expertise in local maritime conditions, such as currents, tides, and underwater hazards, is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring the vessel’s safe passage.
Recruitment and Training
Becoming a harbor Pilot for Jacobsen Pilot Service (JPS) is not an easy feat. The search for suitable candidates is rigorous, targeting individuals who are both technically proficient and temperamentally suited for the demanding role. Potential candidates are typically identified years in advance, often before they are even aware of being considered for the job. Once chosen, the training process spans approximately three years, during which new pilots learn to handle immense pressure—with no margin for error.
Daily Operations
The Port of Long Beach operates around the clock, 365 days a year, with ships arriving and departing at all hours—and every single one is eventually guided by a JPS Pilot. Harbor Pilots work on a one-week on/off schedule, with each daily shift potentially involving the guidance of three to four vessels or more. The pilots are stationed at a dedicated Pilot Station equipped with sleeping and kitchen facilities, allowing them to rest and refuel while waiting for assignments.
The job begins when the crew of an incoming or outgoing vessel radios the JPS Dispatch to request a Pilot. The dispatcher then assigns a high-speed pilot boat to ferry the Pilot to the ship. This critical moment requires precision and care, as the Pilot transitions from the pilot boat to the ship’s ladder and climbs aboard. Once on the vessel, the Pilot makes his way to the ship’s bridge to meet the Captain and exchange essential information about the ship’s power, speed, draft, and load distribution.Then, a JPS Pilot takes navigational control of the ship.
Navigating Ships
Every ship is unique, presenting different challenges in terms of length, height, beam, propulsion type, keel design, and draft. Pilots must quickly assimilate this information and adjust their navigation plans accordingly. Local knowledge of the Port of Long Beach is crucial, particularly regarding subsurface hazards.
Technology plays an increasingly important role in a harbor pilot’s work. Portable Pilot Units (PPUs) are handheld tablet computers that provide real-time, highly accurate GPS positioning, overlaying the ship’s icon on a digital chart. These devices allow pilots to see the ship’s exact position relative to the shoreline, piers, channels, underwater obstructions, and other vessels. With this technology, Pilots can project the ship’s movements over the next few minutes, ensuring safe navigation even for megaships that block the Pilot’s view of the channel.
Why Harbor Pilots Matter
The importance of Pilots cannot be overstated. They are responsible for preventing maritime accidents, protecting the port’s infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of the crew, cargo, and environment. The Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest ports in the United States, relies heavily on the expertise of Jacobsen Pilot Service’s pros to maintain its operational efficiency and safety standards.
By facilitating the smooth and timely movement of goods through the port, Pilots help sustain the supply chain and support industry. Their role is indispensable in managing the logistical complexities of modern maritime trade, which is vital for economic growth and stability.
Pilots Provide an Essential Service
A day in the life of a harbor pilot at the Port of Long Beach is filled with challenges and responsibilities. These skilled professionals ensure the safe passage of ships through one of America’s busiest and most important ports, relying on their expertise, local knowledge, and advanced technology. Their work is crucial for the safety, efficiency, and economic vitality of the port, making them an indispensable part of the maritime industry. The dedication and skill of JPS Pilots keep the wheels of global trade turning, one ship at a time.
