§8502 Federal pilots required

Summary

Coastwise seagoing vessels must be under the direction and control of a federally licensed pilot when they are underway, not sailing on register, and within 3 nautical miles of the baselines used to measure the U.S. territorial sea, if they are inspected vessels (for example, those propelled by engines or otherwise inspected). Pilots may charge no more than the usual or legally set rates in the State where the pilotage happens. A State cannot force a federally licensed pilot to get a separate State license or adopt rules that stop the pilot from doing their federal duties, and a State cannot charge extra pilot fees on a vessel lawfully piloted. If a vessel is operated in violation of these rules, the owner, charterer, operator, agent, master, or person in charge must pay a civil penalty of $10,000, and the vessel itself can be held responsible for that penalty. A person acting as a pilot without the required federal license must also pay $10,000. The Secretary of Transportation can set special rules for Prince William Sound, Alaska, including naming areas where a federal pilot is not required and saying that where a pilot is required between 60°49′ North latitude and the Port of Valdez the pilot must be an Alaska-licensed person operating under a federal license and cannot be a member of the ship’s crew. The Secretary must also name waters where tankers over 1,600 gross tons must have, on the bridge, a separately licensed master or mate in addition to the pilot. Dredges are generally exempt, but the Secretary can require a previously exempt dredge to follow these rules in a specific area if, after notice and comment, the Secretary finds a navigational safety hazard.