The Houston Pilots have among the most dangerous and coveted jobs in the Port of Houston. The 95 pilots navigate every large ship in and out of the Houston Ship Channel, in all weather, short of a hurricane, and every day of the year. The pilot boat drives alongside the massive tankers and container ships that bring goods in and out of Houston, and the pilot boards by climbing a rope ladder hanging down from the ship while both are moving.
Most trips take four to six hours, as pilots move ships to different terminals along the Ship Channel and back to Galveston Bay.
Pilots, whose average starting age is around 36, undergo three years of training to memorize every nuance of the Ship Channel and understand how to navigate the different ships that visit it. Most have about 10 years of experience operating commercial ships or tug and tow boats before applying for the competitive selection process.