The pilot boat
Endeavour (pictured) is a 15m long launch, orange in colour with a cruising speed of 18 knots and a maximum speed of 26 knots.
The pilot boat is fitted with a Class A AIS transponder transmitting the ID
"Picton Pilot".
The pilot boat departs her berth around one and a quarter hours before the prearranged boarding time. The pilot will be listening on
Channels 18 and 16 VHF and looking for your ship on the radar and chartplotter AIS display. Boarding speed 8 knots. Ladder height 1.5 Metres from the water. No manropes for arrival. Advise of any obstructions on the hull including rubbing strakes which may hamper embarkation or disembarkation.
Ships arriving at the Northern entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound normally board their pilot at position
Alpha: 41° 04.62'S 174° 18.92'E.
Ships arriving at Tory Channel always board their pilot outside the entrance, usually at the charted position 41° 14.800'S 174° 22.200'E or sometimes in a more sheltered position specified by the pilot. The presence of frequent ferry traffic through Tory Channel entrance makes it very important that the ship follows the boarding instructions given by the pilot.