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To become pilot at the Western Scheldt it's necessary to have not only the required knowledge and experience but some courage as well, as pilots have to leave those small, but seaworthy, vessels to climb aboard the sea-going vessels by means of a Jacobs ladder (a rope ladder with wooden steps, lowered from the deck of the sea-going vessel) even in rough conditions (high seastate) or in the opposite way when the piloting work has been done.