Reef Trip from Bremerhaven – Brake (Südpier)
As part of the training program for 'Shipping Clerk - Tramp Shipping,' we had the opportunity to accompany a sea vessel on the reef trip from Bremerhaven to Brake. Thanks to our good connection with the Weser II pilot brotherhood, I, Jule Dust, had the chance to experience the passage together with a river pilot.
Due to the constantly changing schedule, the opportunity finally arose on October 13, 2023.
On October 13, the night ended at 4:45 AM—it was raining heavily. The ship was at the Weser buoy at 7:30 AM, which meant it was three hours away from our boarding point.
Upon arrival at the pilot house, I was thrilled by everything that was offered there. The pilots have, for example, their own sleeping quarters, a fully equipped kitchen, and a breakfast service.
Just before 8:00 AM, the pilot arrived—greeted me warmly and informed me that we had a little time to spare because the ship had arrived late at the 'Weser buoy.' We chatted about his career as a pilot, the mandatory reporting points during our trip, and what the next steps would be.
When it was time to go, we put on our life jackets and traveled to the ship on the pilot boat (mv VISURGIS), a specially designed vessel that takes pilots to the ships they are guiding.
It was time to board while the ship was in full motion. Due to the heavy rain, we could hardly see anything. The pilot ladder was lowered, and we climbed aboard. We quickly made our way up to the bridge, where we were already expected. We immediately engaged in conversation, and the captain explained the various 'buttons/levers' on the bridge, how long he had been at sea, and the working processes on board. I regularly went outside because the visibility from inside was very poor due to the weather—no amount of wiper blades could help.
Slowly but surely, we steered toward the Brake South Pier. We moored on the port side against the current at around 11:00 AM. It was fascinating to see how the pilot, the captain, and the chief officer communicated so effectively with incredibly few words. Thanks to this experience, the ship was perfectly docked at the scheduled time.
Afterward, I fulfilled my duties as an agent and cleared the ship. I then said goodbye to the captain and crew and left the ship along with the pilot. It was a very exciting day, during which I learned a lot, and I am very grateful that I was given this opportunity.