persimmondeb

I think the pilot gets off just past the Verrazzano. Maybe someone came along with the pilot for some reason, and I can imagine getting off the ship that way being hair-raising for someone who wasn't used to it. I will say, if you don't know it's the pilot, it's not that obvious.

NJriverchick

Oh my gosh! That must be it! It was the pilot ~ I knew nothing about this! This is what I found when I googled it:


Often when a ship is coming into port you see a small boat pull up along side. While the cruise ship is still moving, an intrepid individual climbs up a ladder and through a door in the side of the ship. Much the same drama takes place in reverse when a cruise ship is leaving a port. The individual making the leap between the cruise ship and the small boat is the pilot.
Pilots are trained mariners, often former ship captains, who are licensed by the various ports. Their primary role is to advise the ship’s officers regarding conditions in the port - - tides, the location of sand bars, changes in the ship channel etc.

Thank you persimmon, mystery solved

Sassafrass

I believe that is exactly what Eschew suggested in his first post. It is fun to watch.

NJriverchick

I am not the brightest bulb in the box....so I totally didnt get the pilot reference when Eschew suggested it. "Pilot" makes me think of planes...I didnt understand. It was persimmon's post that finally made the bulb light up!

Eschew

Mystery solved! Can't imagine a poor stowaway get tossed off the boat that way.

persimmondeb

Thanks! We're very geeky, frankly, and easily amused, but we love watching the pilot boat.