My grandfather, Clarence E. Ash, was a Bar Pilot in Astoria, in the mid-20th century. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving Bar Pilot there. A fitting end to a career that began when he ran away to sea at 14 as a full deck hand, on a sailing ship in about 1904. I idolized him. Even was an Oregon state senator for a term once.

I was on a river cruise through the Columbia a couple summers ago, and the first night we stopped in Astoria. Lots of mentions of the pilots by the tour guides and ofc in the maritime museum. BIG respect for these folks and the coast guard.

I've been over that bar many a time. And once I was almost washed over board in the bar. The destroyer that I was on was crossing the bar. And as I exited the chow hall we had to exit to the main deck. The seas were really rough when I step out onto the main deck, and while securing the hatch a huge wave washed over the deck and swept me all the way back to the fantail of the ship barely able to hang on to the life line my body was over board now. I had to climb back abroad and I ran for safty as another huge wave washed over the fantail. I was lucky to have survived the infamous Bar of the Columbia River. True Story my buddy Rex was with me at the time & we lived to tell about this. I remember very well as time stopped in that moment.

I used to be a ships agent out of Portland. I was the guy who hire the pilots to go out and bring our ships in. I had nothing but admiration for them. I miss working in that industry. I live down in the Rocky Mountains now, but I keep the the Columbia Bar River Pilots phone number in my contacts for sentimental reasons.

I work in a shipyard. My friends father is a pilot at the welland canal...I watch the pilot boats going out to the lake every day... Salute to you all..

Been there a number of times in the 1980s . A unique experience . It could be calm at sea but once over the bar , the ship rolls and pitches , as if in rough weather and then steadies again as she slides into the Columbia River off Astoria for a change of pilots . I think the pilots earn their money while boarding and disembarking. Very brave and cool headed pilots .

wow, didnn't realize this profession existed to bring in all our cargo, much respect.

Last time I did it (2015) I said to myself "NEVER AGAIN" and I kept the promise. Absolute admiration and respect to all pilots of the world

I crossed the bar with my parents in a 35' offshore sailboat. We where late getting out and ran into some big steep waves that where stacked up crossing the bar. We where shadowed by the pilot boat who was concerned about us getting out past the breakers. Everything worked out great, but we where sure grateful to have the watchful eyes of the Pilot follow us out. Big thanks to the Pilots for going out of their way! 👍

Much respect to the Bar Pilots. I cut my teeth as a sailor, salmon fishing around the Bar. I have seen pretty much the entire Eastern Pacific from the Bering Sea, to the equator, and there are few rougher passages than the Bar.

Respect to these Columbia River Bar Pilots. Thank you for what you do to keep cargo moving safely to their docking destination❤

Late 2000, they tested taking the bar pilots out by helicopter. They used former Coast Guard helicopter pilots who had been stationed on the Gulf Coast. One of them was quoted in the paper as saying, "We have weather like this were I come from. We call it hurricanes."

The wind is amazing at sea, when in my twenty's off the coast of Newfoundland I tried to go on deck but opening the door was impossible because the wind was pushing so hard. What a fantastic job getting to feel the power of the oceans.

Obviously you guys should do more stories like this! The world will watch! These guys are incredible. Society couldn't do without em

It's amazing to me that these guys are as old as they are, and can still do this, and do it so well. Very impressive.

Not the exact same outfit , but one of my very best friend's is a river pilot. Waited about 10 years on the list to get that position. Proud of him. All the guy's in these types of positions should be commended.

I am from a boating family who ferried pilot to and from coastal ships past Gladstone Qld, and am not aware of any deaths until the boats were swapped for helicopters. As scary as it looks good practices were followed to avoid injury, including getting the ship captain to steer the ship providing the lee side shelter for boarding/disembarking.

When I was a young seaman I worked for a shipping company called Furness Withy and they called regularly into the Columbia river, (Usually Portland Oregon.) I well remember the pilots boarding from the cutters before the days of choppers. Whilst the pilot's job is undoubtedly very dangerous, the captain also has to make decisions and I well remember one voyage when the ship was crossing inbound with Pilot on Board We felt a hell of a jarring thump as the ship hit an unexpectedly large breaker and we definitely touched bottom in the deep trough that followed the wave. Soundings were quickly taken all around the ship but we found no leaks and when the diver went down in Portland he reported a couple of slightly dented bottom plates but no serious damage to the ship's structural integrity. Because I was young and small; I was the one selected to accompany the first mate into the double bottom tanks to identify which plates were dented. All I could say was 'Thank God for welded construction. Rivets would have been popped by the impact and distortion. Fortunately the Columbia bar is essentially hard sand and no rock so we got away with it.

And this might have been a 'nice' day in Astoria. It gets really gnarly as soon as you clear the river entrance. I've seen it many times and I have nothing but deep respect for anyone who choses this as a career!

I thought my job at a distribution center was dangerous. These guys are heroes.

And my younger years I Captained a pilot boat I can tell you everything you see in this video is 100% real. Now a retired merchant sailor

If we are in the market for new monuments we need a monument to river pilots. Its amazing how much dangerous work goes into this and how relatively unknown it is.

Aye I dredged the Columbia this past summer. Hope everyone has safe bar crossings!

That was quite an education for a guy from Canada who never realized that this job existed ; and it is so dangerous. Those guys are awesome !

I was helmsman for 10 years off of Alaska to the west coast. Much respect. Very dedicated and smart. Thank you.

its nice to recall my happy days picking up the bar pilot and same time dropping same when outbound. its also nice to recall those hard days when the bar is closed and have to manuever your ship in a very rough weather which happen to me twice and capt. Barret was very significant to me as he opened piloted my ship in and out during my liner days carrying logs to japan from longview.

This is a nice piece of journalism. Great story, well done and amazing camera footage too.

Loved the video. My father was a Merchant Marine back in the 1950's. He told many stories about life on the ocean. He told me one story about the Columbia. He said a ship was properly loaded for the salt water in the ocean, however, as it entered the Columbia's fresh water, it almost sank. I had no idea that ships behave differently in salt water versus fresh water.

May God bless our river pilots and USCG!!! We are so very blessed to have them in our area and grateful for all that they do. 🌊🏄‍♀️⛱

I’ve sea kayaked alone across the bar hugging the North jetty to stay out of the way of vessel traffic and under the radar of CG. It was pure hell distal to the jetty end with sneaker waves breaking in different directions, current flowing at an accelerated rate around a pinch point, and sandbars suddenly exposed in “deep water” where dredging spoils had been dumped and visible in the troughs. More than a few crabbers have floundered taking this short cut. Anyway, respect for these bar pilots and all the professional personnel that deal with this often calamitous section of the coast.

Speaking as an X Merchant Navy able seaman I have great respect for a pilot's they do a great job!👍

WOW! This is one impressive film. Thank you for sharing.

Pilots are a breed unto themselves. I worked as a dispatcher for them in Georgia some years back. They impressed me (a former journalist) enough to write a book about them called "Waking Up Men," because part of my job was to call and wake them up to go get a ship. I've since met pilots all over the world. They're the same everywhere, witty, tough and courageous.

They are brave people for certain! Awesome to do this kind of work!!!!

As a bridge watch officer , a have been over that bar ... it certainly can be a wild ride ,and,kudos to the pilots

My dad used to run the Columbia River back in the 70s to pick up lumber in Long View. Took some photos of it some years ago and sent him. He got nostalgic BTW he lives/lived in Norway

I boarded the bar many times in my years here in California... beer on tap, good people, and just good memories overall.

I'm a commercial fisherman, my boat is docked right next to these two pilot boats in the Local marina. Awesome to see this

I skippered the Pilot Boat a couple seasons in False Pass and the Nushagak River (Dillingham) in Alaska for the Southwest Pilots Association and Aleutian Pilots Association. They didn't have their own pilot boats "out west". Great job and the pilots were all great guys. It's a real thrill pulling up to a tramper in the open ocean for a pilot transfer when it's blowing 60 knots. You'd never find me crossing the Columbia bar in bad weather!

Its one of those jobs that you need to have presence of mind always. Cant have an “off day” like a heart surgeons

Good show! Informative and more than a little thought provoking. What wasn't mentioned, and only occurred to me at the end of the video, was that "Piloting" is a two way journey. The video focused on ships going into the harbor but they also need guidance leaving port which means reversing that rope ladder climb at sea.

Salute these Pilots!! God bless them

These guys are awesome! Their bravery has no bounds.

Imagine getting on a rope ladder and the only thing between you and the drink is a bad list, rogue wave, or bad mistiming of getting on it. And you'd better hope the guys who dropped you off can find you before the waters claim you.

My two fears in life... Heights, and the ocean.... This is my idea of hell 😂

Respect to these boat crews and pilots. Great coverage.

Much respect to harbor pilots they are so essential to the specific routes knowing all the nuances of the channels ..tides depths …weather..bouyes …they earn their keep🤙🏻….climbing that ladder during rough seas is a scary feat no matter how fit u are

Deep respect for these pilots....Especially at the Columbia. I went to Motor Lifeboat School there at Cape Disappointment in the Coast Guard and often those seas are no joke.

A friends son is a pilot, I am always in awe of his courage required to transfer from pilot boat to the cargo vessel. Neil, you rock.

I’ve climbed the ladder with my dad, scariest thing of my life

Got to see pilot jump from the ferry I was on in Normandy back to the pilot boat in a storm and a night last year; incredible efficiency and professionalism.

Greatest respect to these gentlemen. And great video describing this industry niche.

Becoming a river pilot is about equal to winning the lottery.

Great video. Yes, the pilots do a fantastic job and in all weathers too. I often see them leaving the River Tyne in the north east of England, but thankfully the weather isn't usually too bad. No doubt, there are some storms, but at that time, I am not normally out filming. Regards from the UK

This is why we should respect the differences with people, some people are just made for certain jobs. I can’t even comprehend how anyone would choose this type of work!

I truly enjoyed this video it brought back so many fond memories of my childhood when my dad and brothers were pilots❤ on the East Coast. Boston Harbor, NY, NJ, Cape Cod Canal, Delaware River, you name it, they brought ships safely into port.

Well done!

“Love being outside” inside a warm room controlling a ship

Now I understand why pilots are so generously compensated! Rope ladders no less. hasn't changed since the Age of Nelson. Thanks for the upload.

I was a longshoreman for a few years off and on working on the big ships is hard and dangerous work much respect top all the seaman

👏 wow. I could definitely see that being an awesome job. I would definitely do it if I could drive a huge boat but my biggest fear wouldn't be just falling in the water, it would be falling in the water and getting sucked under 1 of those huge ships and not being able to get out from under it😓

These men are classy as hell. I salute them.

Thank you for sharing. Dangerous work watching the pilot navigaters board the boat.

So many brave people who are out there doing ridiculous jobs to keep others safe.

My dad is a pilot here in Mexico. He spend like 16 years sailing and applied to be a pilot like 10 years ago. I climbed the ladders in several types of ships: car carriers, bulk carriers, maersk container ships. It is so exciting when you’re approaching the ship and when you start climbing, you can feel how the adrenaline flows. Once you’re in the wheelhouse you had suceeded part of the mission.

Been here 4 years before... This place is unpredictable. There is a reason why they call it Cape Disappointment.

Wow... I live within a couple of hundred yards of the Columbia River, and I never gave this type of activity a thought!

These people are amazing. I want puke just looking at that big ship swaying back and forth in rough waters. Can't imagine working on it.

Its not only risking of their lives but the enormous responsibility of piloting the ships to their intended berth. It requires a very detailed knowledge of water depth and tidal understanding, cross currents and traffic movements in congested waters. They must have an extensive knowledge of ship handling of various types, propulsions , thrusters and also harbour tugs handlings.

Had a uncle who use to be a ship pilot on the Columbia back in the 70’s and I think 80’s last name was wade if memory serves me well

most dangerous jobs I've ever seen. all pilots in this one and crew on smaller craft. And I floated down the Columbia on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima amazed at the power of the sea looking off the fantail. Can't imagine boarding on the move, in the dark with high winds and seas. some crazy brave mothers.

Big respect !!

Climb on just like in Somalia! 😳 good luck guys be careful!

Amazing ppl doing amazing things!! ✌💗☺⛵❣

Amazing Men!! God Bless their brave Hearts☘🕶👍🇨🇦

Thank you very much! You missed out the other half of this challenging work - Getting off the Ship to the Pilot boat in bad wx

Surprised that they don't clip in to a serious lanyard when they grab that ladder. But that act of hooking in can be dangerous too.

Getting on and off the ships reminds me of when I was boarding foreign fishing vessels on the Bering Sea when I was active duty U.S. Coast Guard during the 70's and 80's.

Great piece.

I admire “the humbleness of the pilot”

The “Ever Given” brought me here. Fascinating.

Спасибо за интересный сюжет. Заходили в июне 1986 в Асторию. Очень чистый маленький городок в Орегоне. Приятно снова увидеть великолепный мост через Колумбию, соединяющий штаты Вашингтон и Орегон. Бар в устье реки действительно очень мощный,суда качает и валяет как щепку.

Columbia River is where I learned to boat. It was daunting to know how much of a ship eater it is and be a zero level new guy. Definitely gained so much confidence and skill by doing to though.

In January of 2019 I watched the river cruise boat American Song working its way up the California coast, bound for the Columbia River. She was very close to shore, barely outside Lion Rock near the Diablo Canyon powerplant. American Shore has a very shallow draught, 6 or 7 feet, so her crew was getting jostled some out on the ocean.

The US coast guard uses this part of the coast to train capsize tactics where the actually flip a coast guard cutters completely over and back upright.

Damn you know its rough out when one of those ships are swinging 50 degrees left and right...

The Navy Destroyer I served on Crossed the Columbia bar twice while I was onboard, 1986 for the Rose festival and 1987 for Vancouver Navy Days. Even military ships are required to be under the control of a pilot. 1st the bar pilot, then in Astoria the river pilot boarded as the bar pilot left. Then a new river pilot at the mouth of the Willamette. Was repeated on the trip back out to sea.

Two of my favorite words- bar’s open!

My Grandfather was a Columbia River Bar Pilot for over thirty years.

I'm a retired seaman, I've done that job on the 80's preparing a pilot ladder on a very rough sea

I climbed a rope ladder onto an oil tanker in only 6 to 10 foot swells. Scared the absolute living crap out of me. Full on death grip on the way up. After coming back down swore I'd never do it again, and I haven't. Those guys are fearless.

Great video and I live in Oregon and i enjoy watching your video and keep up the great job.

These guys deserve that good money, they are hero's!

many areas the pilots keep a tight lock on who gets in. friends and family only are allowed

much respect, in the military we had bar pilots but not the same

I used to be a commercial fisherman for 13 years I've seen these guys these guys earn their money I used to live in Coos Bay Oregon Harvard out of Charleston Oregon

Thank you very interesting 🤗

Pilot boat is beautiful inside and out

Stayed in long beach wa. We had a 20ft boat that went out thru the bar 2 or 3 times with no problem. No way was I going I heard of to many sinkings with much bigger boats. Pilot of the boat had many ocean trips in that boat and was very good. Also always caught lots of fish every time

“But why do pilots put themselves through this? This pilot says he just likes being outside” I bet the pay packet for a Bar Pilot is a pretty good incentive too!