200035 Pilot Boat Safety

Pilot Boat Safety
Report No. 200035

I have been most surprised, on several calls at a certain port, at various times of year, at the casual attitude of the pilot boat crew. As the pilot boat draws along side the ship, the pilot emerges from the boat, correctly dressed in high visibility coat, lifejacket etc. The crewman comes out, even on a cold day, in a white shirt, shirtsleeves, no coat, no lifejacket, no safety line. It occurs to me that, not only is he risking himself, but would be of no assistance to the pilot in case of a problem.