The word “pilot,” causes most people to think of people flying jet planes. But pilots in the ocean, maritime pilots, play an important role in the global economy. Maritime pilots, sometimes called harbor pilots, are specially trained to guide ships safely into harbors. Pilots are not members of the ship’s crew, but expert navigators in their home harbor. They have expert knowledge of local waterways, local changes due to high seas, shifting sandbars, or artificial obstacles. As a ship enters a harbor, the local pilot boards the vessel by small boat or helicopter. The pilot works with the ship’s captain and assists in bringing the ship safely to dock.

Cargo ships, cruise ships, and ferries use ports to load and unload passengers and cargo. Maritime pilots must board each ship that goes into or out of a port. There are about 360 active commercial pilots in the United States. Goods that move through United States ports include fossil fuels, grains, metals, electronics, and automobiles. These items are generally loaded into rectangular containers and lifted onto and off of container ships by cranes. Some container ships are four football fields long and are able to carry up to 15,000 containers. Trucks and trains transport cargo from the ports to destinations all over the United States.

Like any industry that relies on the ocean, the importing and exporting of goods at ports depends on sea conditions. High winds and tall waves make navigating harbors dangerous. When the conditions are particularly bad, ports must be closed. More energy in the air and water due to climate change may mean stronger and more frequent storms, and therefore faster winds and higher waves, which can affect the safety of ships, passengers, and cargo at sea.