Pilot Boat
A harbor pilot is a person who takes control of a seagoing ship when it is entering or leaving port. He is expertly familiar with all the channels, shoals, currents, tides, and regulations of his particular port, and is essential to safely steer the ships in and out. It is an ancient and exclusive profession, often passed down from father to son*. In old days, the top two signal flags at right were used by ships entering and exiting a harbor to call for a pilot, while the bottom flag indicated "pilot on board."
A pilot boat transports the harbor pilots to and from their charges. If you go out to the vicinity of the Ambrose Tower, you will probably see the Sandy Hook's modern descendants.
* there are very few female pilots, even today.
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying goods or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished from boats, based on size, shape, load capacity, and tradition.
More: Gallery of Ships ...
- Type:
- shipwreck, pilot boat, converted yacht, USA
- Built:
- 1902, Bethlehem Elizabethport, Elizabeth NJ USA, as Anstice, later Privateer
- Specs:
- ( 168 x 24 ft ) 361 gross tons, 26 crew & harbor pilots
- Sunk:
- Thursday April 27, 1939
collision with tanker Oslofjord ( 16500 tons) - no casualties - GPS:
- 40°27.556' -73°49.490' (AWOIS 1986)
- Depth:
- 100 ft
More: Sandy Hook Pilot Boat ...
- Type:
- shipwreck, schooner, pilot boat, USA
- Built:
- 1876, New York, USA
- Specs:
- ( 78 x 20 ft ) 52 tons, 9 crew
- Sunk:
- Monday January 24, 1887
ran aground - 2 casualties - Depth:
- 80 ft
More: Francis A Perkins ...