VIDEO: Pilot boards ship in large seas

FOOTAGE on YouTube reveals the challenges marine pilots face when boarding ships in rough seas.

The pilot’s cutter approaches a ship but the pilot is prevented from boarding several times as the smaller vessels pitches and heaves in the angry ocean.

With expert timing, the pilot waits until just the right moment before taking a big step onto the ship’s ladder.

This footage would appear to add weight to suggestions that boarding procedures for pilots may need to change in future, with analyst Ian Vanderbeek telling a Townsville conference that the future may involve boardings via chopper or the use of other safety mechanisms.