EDITORIAL

January 8th, 2008 by JCB
Posted in Editorial | No Comments »

In dealing with all the politics and
legislation of pilotage it is easy to lose sight
of the fact that ours is one of the few jobs
left where the basics have remained
relatively unchanged for centuries. We still
rely on a pilot boat to get us out to the ship
where we board by means of a rope ladder
hanging over the side. Every day our lives
depend upon the skills of cutter coxswains
who hold the boat alongside the ship whilst
we transfer on or off, frequently in
marginal conditions. In a worst case
scenario, if the ladder parts or we fall off
for any reason the pilot boat is our lifeboat
and our very survival in such circumstances
is totally dependent upon the skill and
training of the cox’n and crew effecting a
speedy recovery. It was therefore with great
interest that I came across a book on the
pilot gigs of Cornwall whilst on holiday
that detailed these remarkable pilot boats
which were still used for pilot transfers up
until World War 2!
What is even more remarkable is how
many of these craft have survived for over
150 years and whose design is now
enjoying a revival as leisure craft. With over
120 officially classed pilot gigs now
regularly racing and gaining world wide
popularity I would not be surprised to see
pilot gig racing become an official Olympic
sport in the near future. I therefore dedicate
this issue to pilot boat coxswains and crew
both past and present.
On a sadder note, Monica Brown, our
secretary in London, has been taken ill and
has been off work for some time. This has
obviously caused major problems with the
administration so please note the amended
contact procedures on page 14. Meanwhile,
we wish Monica a speedy recovery.