Dropping the Pilot

This powerful, Hydro Jet powered, Pilot boat, has just come alongside and picked up the Pilot

 who has taken this cruise ship down to the North Sea from Amsterdam.

Guided by the Pilot,

this vessel has crossed Plymouth Sound and is making her way to her berth in the River Plym.

Fortunately the canons remained silent, and the only sound to disturb this beautiful calm morning

 were the clicks of camera shutters.

Making for the open sea.

A few days ago the Plymouth Pilot guided the CEMSEA lll, a small Cyprus registered cement carrier,

down the River Plym, out into Plymouth Sound and past the Breakwater Lighthouse,

where he climbed down the ladder to his waiting Pilot boat and returned to shore

and the Cemsea made her way out into the heavy traffic of the English Channel.

 See just how busy the traffic is in the English Channel

Entering harbour

Craft in Plymouth Sound making their way to Sutton Harbour at sunset on bitterly cold winter afternoon. The crew of the yacht are making their own way but the small merchant ship is being led in by the Pilot.