On the return. An early holiday

[Broads01]

I agree the pilotage opening hours need to be longer, both out of season and later in the day in summer. I too took boats through myself numerous times in the pre-pilot days. However in reality this was undoubtedly risky and it always scared me to death anyway. I have some video of myself taking an Alpha 32 through in 2001. It's scary to watch as I didn't manage to steer through straight but I got away with it.

The pilot service has been there at least 11 years as I remember hiring from Silverline in 2004 and they made use of the pilot compulsory. At that time other yards didn't always do so but now of course everyone insists on it which I think is right.