Confidential Human Factors

Incident Reporting Programme

Mastering the Lee

Protecting Lives During Pilot Transfers

Creating a Lee for pilot transfers is one of the most safety-critical operations in navigation. It’s a moment where timing, teamwork and clear communication must align under pressure in changing conditions and often in confined waters. A poorly executed Lee can expose both the pilot and the pilot vessel to significant hazards, including unpredictable and often violent motion caused by wind and sea, compounded by the dynamic interaction between vessels.

While physical rigging and the pilot transfer arrangement (PTA) are covered extensively elsewhere, this guide focuses on navigational decisions and bridge team coordination involved in creating a Lee.

Adam Parnell

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