Navigating Pilotage Regulations
Recently, there have been situations when yachts have been fined for
not adhering to local pilotage regulations. Yacht Sourcing is aware
of this happening in SE Alaska, WA State and Florida. Therefore, the
following will provide links to sites that will focus on supporting pilotage
regulations in general, as well as in California, Washington, SE Alaska and
Florida.
First off, there are two
terms that are crucial to pilotage requirements; 1) "vessels under
enrollment" and 2) "vessels under registry".
1) Vessels
under enrollment are coastwise vessels and assume
that the Master/Mate holds federal pilotage for the waters in question (and
the vessels are of US-flagged). If the vessels are otherwise required to
carry a pilot, that pilot may be a member of the crew holding federal
pilotage.
2) Vessels
under register are those coming to the US from
foreign waters and these are generally required to carry a pilot who is not
part of the crew.
Procedures specific to the
Puget Sound Pilot's Association will consider waivers for vessels not
wishing to carry a pilot into Puget Sound. Many of these are yachts and
they are required to jump through hoops (and probably financial
considerations) and negotiated. There are probably similar procedures for
alternate areas. If you regularly transit particular waters, you might see
what conditions if any would be required to waive carrying a pilot.
Links to:
