§8503 Federal Pilots Authorized

Summary

The Secretary can require a federal pilot licensed under section 7101 to be on a self-propelled vessel when a State does not already require one. That requirement applies only if the vessel is engaged in foreign commerce and is either in U.S. internal waters or within 3 nautical miles of the baselines used to measure the U.S. territorial sea. The federal requirement ends when the State creates a State pilot rule and notifies the Secretary. For the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Secretary may only delegate this authority to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. A person who breaks these rules can be fined up to $25,000, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately, and the vessel can be used to collect the fine. Knowingly breaking the rules is a class D felony.