Riverboat pilot

A riverboat pilot is a highly skilled professional responsible for navigating and steering boats—often large, specially designed vessels—along rivers and inland waterways. Their expertise includes reading river conditions, understanding water depths, currents, and obstacles, as well as interpreting navigation channels and weather. They ensure the safe and efficient movement of the vessel, often working in conditions that require precise judgment and experience. Pilots are essential for transporting goods or passengers through inland waterways, especially in areas where navigation can be complex or challenging for those unfamiliar with the river's specifics.