Pilot: Christian von der Haar

Christian, a ship pilot on the River Elbe, kindly agreed to do an impromptu podcast with me on the bridge. It was a rare opportunity, since the pilots we have had so far have come aboard in the middle of the night, way after I have gone to bed. Christian talks about what it means to be a pilot, why ships of a certain size require extra planning and precision, and how local knowledge is often the difference between a smooth passage and a blocked waterway. He shares how he became a pilot, what his shift looks like, and how this career lets him stay close to his family while staying connected to life at sea.

((left to right) Pilot Christian, Lia, Captain Paing, Cadet Airin, 3rd Officer Beata)