A veteran pilot’s career spanned the evolution of shipping in Bermuda waters, beginning in the days of “iron men and wooden ships”.

David Darrell’s time in the pilot service ran from 1956 to 2000.

It was an era when pilots dealt with postwar cargo and passenger shipping, followed by vessels for the island’s military bases and the Nasa space programme, with Mr Darrell retiring just as the first mega cruise ships began calling on Bermuda.

Going from the days of communicating by hand gestures and bells to the high-tech world of modern shipping, Mr Darrell and his colleagues found themselves in a constant state of training.

“They have come a long way over the years and you have to keep up with the times,” Mr Darrell told The Royal Gazette in 2012 for the christening of the pilot boat St David.

He added: “I was proud to see some of the boys I helped to train handle those big ships. I’m very proud of my young pilots.”

Mr Darrell said of his tenure: “I enjoyed my 44 years on that job. I wouldn’t trade that.”

Harold Millett, a former deputy pilot warden, recalled starting as an apprentice alongside Mr Darrell and the late Romeo Pitcher, also a deputy pilot warden.

The Department of Marine and Ports did not exist, pilots did not use radio to communicate and the pilot crew of the day were “exceptional” to learn under, he said.

The three began their apprenticeship from the pilot station in St David’s.

“That was the period of what you called iron men and wooden ships,” Mr Millett said.

“It was not a bag of roses. You’d be out there in gale winds wondering why you’d done this.

“But we had an apprenticeship that I would not have traded for all the tea in China. You have to love it. There is always something you probably haven’t seen before. You have to be ready for the unexpected.

“David was great to work with and a great partner.”

Punctuality and timing were key for pilots and Mr Darrell was always ready to meet ships on time — and in full uniform.

He was also cool-headed in Bermuda’s unforgiving waterways, such as aboard a ship that he had guided through the narrow Town Cut in St George’s.

Mr Millett said: “David had the ship in the harbour and everything was being prepared for the ship to be docked.

“No sooner had the ship passed Hen Island when David got the call that the ship had lost power. That’s where years of experience kick in.”

He said Mr Darrell let out the anchor and “provided the brakes” until power was restored and the ship could be brought safely to Penno’s Wharf.

Pilots grew familiar with the officers and staff of ships that regularly called on Bermuda and Mr Darrell, who enjoyed sports, would join his colleagues in spirited cricket matches against the visiting players.

Mr Millett added that Mr Darrell was gifted with a singing voice that made it on to recordings with groups such as the Poncianas.

“David was not bashful to belt out a song from his upbringing and he came from a very strong religious family.

“His voice was out of this world. As a matter of fact, he sang Oh Perfect Love for my wedding and he brought down the house.”

Mr Darrell did not hesitate to break into song when pilots gathered for Christmas dinners or dined aboard visiting ships.

He was also forceful in a battle, early in his career, to secure better wages for pilots.

Mr Darrell and his brother, Walter, also a pilot, joined in the industrial action at a time when “it was not healthy for pilots seeking better wages”, Mr Millett said.

“We were on picket lines in front of the office for a month or more.

“Pilot Darrell was very strong in that area. He was staunchly a believer in the union and to get a decent wage and conditions of work. David was more than just a bystander.”

Originally from St George’s, Mr Darrell headed west upon marrying his wife, Marilyn — but pilot warden Mario Thompson, who trained closely with him, said Mr Darrell was “always pure St George’s”.

“He was a coach and mentor to many of the modern pilots and to those pilots coming after him during his era.

“During his time, he was part and parcel of receiving the new era of ships that we have today.”

Mr Thompson said Mr Darrell was sociable and made a point of showing up in his retirement for the annual pilots’ dinner.

He added: “He never really raised his voice. He was professional in all circumstances.

“He was always willing to impart knowledge and believed in giving a person an opportunity.”

• William David Christopher Darrell, a former senior branch pilot, was born on December 2, 1935. He died in 2023, aged 87