RYA-affiliated offshore club and training centre for Reading and the surrounding area
Talk: What it's like to be a Thames pilot
Mon 07 Apr
|Upper Thames Motor Yacht Clubhouse
Stuart Little's has spent his whole career in shipping. He started on cruise ships and then worked the tugs in the Thames and now works as a pilot on the Thames. Come and hear all about Stuart's life and get the insider perspective of commercial shipping and being a pilot on our capital's estuary.
Time & Location
07 Apr 2025, 19:30
Upper Thames Motor Yacht Clubhouse, Club Ho/Mill Island, Reading RG4 6TW, UK
About the event
Stuart started his maritime career as a cadet with Holland America Line, studying Marine Operations at Warsash Maritime Academy. After qualifying, he sailed as a Third Officer and progressed to Safety Officer, serving on nearly half the fleet and visiting all seven continents.
In late 2020, he transitioned to Svitzer Towage on the Thames and Medway, quickly gaining command of his own boat and assisting in berthing some of the world's largest ships. This experience naturally led to his role as a Thames pilot in 2022, allowing him to focus on ship handling without administrative burdens. He have greatly enjoyed his career so far and looks forward to its future direction.
Come and hear all about it at our next club night.