Un práctico es un marino que conduce los barcos en aguas peligrosas o de intenso tráfico, como puertos, canales angostos o ríos. No obstante, el práctico es sólo un asesor, en tanto legalmente el capitán continúa al mando del buque.El practicaje es una de las profesiones más antiguas y menos conocidas, no obstante es una de las más importantes en la seguridad de la navegación. El riesgo económico, ambiental y para las vidas humanas que representan los grandes buques de carga de la actualidad, hacen que el rol del práctico sea esencial. Para obtener el título de Práctico de una zona, se debe tener una profunda experiencia en la conducción y maniobra de buques de gran porte y además un íntegro conocimiento de la región específica en la que se desempeña la tarea. Por ello, en casi todos los países del mundo, para obtener esta habilitación es menester poseer el título de capitán y haberlo ejercido efectivamente durante cierto tiempo en buques que superen determinado tonelaje. Luego, previo al otorgamiento del título de práctico en una zona, deben rendirse numerosos exámenes y posteriormente realizar una cantidad de viajes con prácticos titulados y rendir un examen práctico final.

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A pilot, also referred to as "Marine Pilot" or "Maritime Pilot" is a mariner who manoeuvres ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. He / She is normally an ex ship captain and a highly experienced shiphandler who possess detailed knowledge of the particular waterway e.g. actual depth, direction and strength of the wind, current and tide at any time of the day. Manoeuvring a ship through the shallow water to berth / unberth in a port is basically a teamwork which involves, apart from the port Pilot, ship's captain (jointly responsible), ship's crew, port Tugs and shore linesman. Since the Pilot is on board the ship, he/she controls the tugs and linesmen through a radio and the ship directly. Ship captain ensures his crew carry out the pilot orders. High skill is required to be a pilot as the channels through which the ships move towards the port is normally too narrow and shallow for the size of the ships, stopping distance of the ships being a few nautical miles and the fact that ships do not steer at slow speed. In an unfortunate case of an accident, high pollution is a risk as the ships carry thousands of tonnes of fuel for her own consumption. Also if a ship is wrecked in the channel, the channel and the port could be closed for months till the shipwreck is removed. Most ports have compulsory pilotage. Legally, the master has full responsibility for safe navigation of his vessel, even if a pilot is on board. If he has clear grounds that the pilot may jeopardise the safety of navigation, he can relieve him from his duties and ask for another pilot or, if not compulsory to have a pilot on board, navigate the vessel without one. Only in transit of the Panama Canal does the pilot have the full responsibility for the navigation of the vessel. In English law, Section 742 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 defines a pilot as "any person not belonging to a ship who has the conduct thereof." In other words, someone other than a member of the crew who has control over the speed, direction, and movement of the ship. The current United Kingdom legislation governing pilotage is the Pilotage Act 1987. Pilotage is one of the oldest professions, as old as sea travel, and it is one of the most important in maritime safety. The oldest recorded history dates back to about the 7th century BC. The economic and environmental risk from today's large cargo ships makes the role of the pilot essential.

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