Training Sea Pilots on the Radar Simulator

Extract

The question of training pilots in the use of radar on a marine radar simulator was first brought up by pilots of the Swansea Pilotage Service. Their service is privately administered by the Swansea Pilotage Authority and, besides their ordinary pilot duties, each of the pilots has his own additional responsibilities, such as administrative and supervisory duties as members of the Pilotage Authority, the disbursement of pilotage earnings, the management of the Pilot Cutter Service, liaison with the dock authorities and towing companies in matters concerning the navigation of ships, pilot cutter crew training, navigational techniques, Swansea Bay surveys, &c. (There is even one pilot whose task it is to collect all the particulars of the latest navigational aids and so introduce them to his colleagues.) Altogether one is struck with a progressively-minded service consisting of members who want to make the best use of the modern aids which are being provided on board ships these days. Before pilots can enter the service they must be in possession of a Master Mariner's certificate F.G. (about one half of the pilots in the service have held command and candidates with Extra Master's certificates are on the waiting list).