How to become a boat pilot/driver/captain on the river Thames?
How do you become a pilot/driver of a boat on the river Thames? I mean completely from scratch - no qualifications or anything.
Answer:
Things have changed radically since 1987 when the responsibility for River Thames pilotage was transferred wholly to the Port of London Authority and also when the monopoly for up-river pilotage of the Licenced Watermen and Freemen of the River (alluded to by george d) was ended. If you borrow or buy a copy of the book mentioned below it tells of a merchant seaman's career to his eventually becoming a Thames Pilot.
Title "Marine Pilot"
Author: John Foot
ISBN: 0 86025 922 6
