The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
The Pilot Service
In Harwich, in 1977, harbour master Frank Taylor uses knowledge of the local waters to pilot and bring in Mike I, a coaster waiting offshore.
From the collection of:
Overview
At Harwich, on the East Anglian coast, in 1977, there are 125 pilots seeing to the need of the local small ports and the busy ferry and terminal quays of Parkeston in Essex, Harwich and Felixstowe. Comparable with the master of a ship, the pilot’s job is to bring vessels into port and take them out again. This film shows the long and rich history of the profession of the pilot, whose expertise lies in the knowledge of local waters.
Related
About Harwich About Harwich
Amateur film 1981 11 mins Location: Harwich
Joan Hammond, an experienced amateur filmmaker from Frinton, Essex filmed this travelogue in the picturesque coastal town of Harwich.
A Last Day on Board the Yacht 'Elver' with Nan A Last Day on Board the Yacht 'Elver' with Nan
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: West Mersea
The Harrison family spend a day on their yacht, travelling from Mersea to Lowestoft, which turns out to be Nan's last trip. Filmed circa 1929.
The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two
Amateur film 1939 18 mins Silent Location: Harwich Harbour
The escapades of the Harrison family, crew and guests on their yacht Elver in 1939 before the outbreak of World War Two.
Lightships Lightships
Documentary 1970 14 mins Location: Cromer
The history of the lightship, including the recollections of retired mariner Charlie Moll, and archive footage of fisher girls at Yarmouth.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.