July 17, Ship's Pilot Boat

I love watching the pilot boat bring the local Pilot onto our ship to support our captain bringing the ship into the harbor and taking the ship out of the harbor. Our stateroom is on the port side of the ship, 4th deck about mid ship.  On this side of the ship, toward the front (bow) and just above water level is the ship's embarkation door which is where the pilot boat meets the ship. As the ship sails slowly the pilot boat travel beside the ship, keeping the same speed it moves next to the ship. The ship's embarkation door is opened, the local pilot leaves the pilot boat and enters our ship to work with the ship's captain guiding us into port. Once we leave the port, and we are safely outside of the habour limits the pilot boat meets the ship, the pilot leaves our ship and our captain is in full control of the ship.