Tugster's recent post about Sandy Hook pilots reminded me of a smoky afternoon in summer 2005 as I headed single-handed in the 18 foot Parker skiff down the edge of the West Penobscot Bay shipping channel - bound for North Haven for a look-see. Out of the mist appeared a huge bulk carrier with a pilot boat escort. When something like that appears suddenly at 11 O'Clock one mile off it is alarming.
The size of the ship that is shown by the way it dwarfs the little (80 foot?) PenBay pilot boat.
