Pilot

How it is used

Ships 'take', 'embark' or 'pick up' a pilot at the pilot station and 'drop' or 'disembark' the pilot after the passage. The pilot climbs the pilot ladder. In most waters the master keeps full responsibility even with a pilot on board.

Example sentences

1. The pilot will board at the outer buoy, so rig the pilot ladder on the lee side.

2. Pilot on board at 0612; the master and pilot exchanged information.

Common collocations

• pilot on board
• pilot ladder
• pilot station
• compulsory pilotage
• drop the pilot

Related terms

• bridgeThe raised, enclosed area from which a ship is steered and navigated. It holds the steering controls, radars, chart displays and radio equipment.
• masterThe officer in overall command of a merchant ship, legally responsible for the safety of the ship, crew, passengers and cargo. In everyday speech the master is called the captain.
• tugA small but very powerful boat that pushes or pulls large ships, especially when they are berthing, unberthing or moving in narrow waters.
• berthA place in a port where a ship ties up to load or discharge. As a verb, to berth means to bring a ship to that place. The word can also mean a bed on a ship.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• pilot · Management & Leadership
• pilot · Film & Television

More terms: Ports & Port Calls

• port
• quay
• anchorage
• port state control
• ship's agent
• harbour master
• ETA