What exactly IS a ship channel pilot? Retired Houston Ship Channel Pilot, Lou Vest explains who the ship channel pilots are, what they do, and why we need them!
Similar Posts


The Texas Chicken
530 feet – (175 feet + 175 feet) = Not a lot of room for error! Lou Vest explains the “Texas Chicken” and how ships fight massive hydrodynamic forces to pass each other on the ship channel.


Ship Channel Exhibit


Sponsored by Sage Energy Partners, the Ship Channel Exhibit is the museum’s newest exhibit designed to showcase the Houston Ship Channel and its massive economic impact on the city. We can’t wait to show you the exhibit in person!


Tackling Ocean Plastic | Part 2
Be sure to read Part I here! Michael Garbarino (MG): This is a question about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch since you’ve actually been there. When you enter the waters of the convergence zone, is it like entering a loose collection of plastic, or is it a very solid patch that you can’t see the…


Houston, we have a ship channel!
Houston, we have a ship channel! In the first of our series about the Houston Ship Channel, Lou Vest helps us find some viewing points to enjoy the never-ending flow of ship traffic through the Houston Ship Channel. Subscribe to our YouTube channel!


This ain’t your grandfather’s barge
This ain’t your grandfather’s barge…. with modern ships measuring up to 1,200 feet long and 175 feet wide, a ship channel built in the 1800s is struggling to keep up. How do the pilots handle it? Lou Vest sheds some light!


Why Real-Time Data Matters to the Maritime Industry
Over 90% of world trade is in the hands of the international maritime shipping industry. Every year, it moves more than USD 4 trillion of goods. For shipping companies, there’s a lot of pressure to remain on schedule, protect the cargo ship and crew, and ensure profitability. And we can’t say it’s easy. This interactive…