Originally Posted by
DirectTo
That was the first thing I thought when I saw the pictures is a local pilot obviously would have been much more familiar with the port. Are they not always used?
It is true that in many (but not all) places a local pilot handles port entries and docking. In this case, the ship wasn't due to dock anywhere near where the accident happened, so there wouldn't have been a local pilot on board.
The emerging story (still subject to updates) is that the ship was due to sail past the Isola del Giglio, and came closer to shore to "salute" some locals.