CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER B—MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN (parts 10 to 16) > PART 15—MANNING REQUIREMENTS > SUBPART G—Computations (§15.801 to §15.860) > 15.812—Pilots.

15.812—Pilots.

(a) Except as specified in paragraph (f) of this section, the following vessels, not sailing on register, when underway on the navigable waters of the United States, must be under the direction and control of an individual qualified to serve as pilot under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section as appropriate:
(1) Coastwise seagoing vessels propelled by machinery and subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 33, and coastwise seagoing tank barges subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 37;
(2) Vessels that are not authorized by their Certificate of Inspection to proceed beyond the Boundary Line established in part 7 of this Chapter which are in excess of 1,600 gross tons, propelled by machinery, and subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. chapter 33; and
(3) Vessels operating on the Great Lakes that are propelled by machinery and subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. chapter 33, or are tank barges subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. chapter 37.
(b) The following individuals may serve as a pilot for a vessel subject to paragraph (a) of this section, when underway on the navigable waters of the United States that are designated areas:
(1) An individual holding a valid first class pilot's license or MMC with a first class pilot's endorsement, operating within the restrictions of his or her credential, may serve as pilot on any vessel to which this section applies.
(2) An individual holding a valid license or MMC officer endorsement as master or mate, employed aboard a vessel within the restrictions of his or her credential, may serve as pilot on a vessel of not more than 1,600 gross tons propelled by machinery, described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section, provided he or she:
(i) Is at least 21 years old;
(ii) Complies with the currency of knowledge provisions of § 11.713 of this chapter; and
(iii) Has completed a minimum of four round trips over the route to be traversed while in the wheelhouse as watchstander or observer. At least one of the round trips must be made during the hours of darkness if the route is to be traversed during darkness
(3) An individual holding a valid license or MMC officer endorsement as master, mate, or operator employed aboard a vessel within the restrictions of his or her credential, may serve as pilot on a tank barge or tank barges totaling not more than 10,000 gross tons, described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section, provided he or she:
(i) Is at least 21 years old;
(ii) Complies with the currency of knowledge provisions of § 11.713 of this chapter ;
(iii) Has a current physical examination in accordance with the provisions of § 11.709 of this chapter ;
(iv) Has at least six-months service in the deck department on towing vessels engaged in towing operations; and
(v) Has completed a minimum of twelve round trips over the route to be traversed, as an observer or under instruction in the wheelhouse. At least three of the round trips must be made during the hours of darkness if the route is to be traversed during darkness.
(c) An individual holding a valid license or MMC officer endorsement as master, mate, or operator, employed aboard a vessel within the restrictions of his or her credential, may serve as a pilot for a vessel subject to paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, when underway on the navigable waters of the United States that are not designated areas of pilotage waters, provided he or she:
(1) Is at least 21 years old;
(2) Complies with the currency of knowledge provisions of § 11.713 of this chapter; and
(3) Has a current physical examination in accordance with the provisions of § 11.709 of this chapter.
(d) In any instance when the qualifications of a person satisfying the requirements for pilotage through the provisions of this Subpart are questioned by the Coast Guard, the individual shall, within a reasonable time, provide the Coast Guard with documentation proving compliance with the applicable portion(s) of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
(e) Federal pilotage requirements contained in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section are summarized in two quick reference tables.
(1) Table 15.812(e)(1) provides a guide to the pilotage requirements for inspected, self-propelled vessels.
Table 15.812(e)(1)—Quick Reference Table for Federal Pilotage Requirements for U.S. Inspected Self-Propelled Vessels, Not Sailing on Register
Designated areas of pilotage waters (routes for which First Class Pilot's licenses or MMC officer endorsements are issued) Nondesignated areas of pilotage waters (between the three mile line and the start of traditional pilotage routes)
Inspected self-propelled vessels greater than 1,600 GT, authorized by their Certificate of Inspection (COI) to proceed beyond the Boundary Line, or operating on the Great Lakes First Class Pilot Master or Mate may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Has an annual physical exam. 3. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.1
Inspected self-propelled vessels not more than 1,600 GT, authorized by their Certificate of Inspection to proceed beyond the Boundary Line, or operating on the Great Lakes First Class Pilot, or Master or Mate may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.1 3. Has 4 round trips over the route.2 Master or Mate may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.1
Inspected self-propelled vessels greater than 1,600 GT, not authorized by their COI to proceed beyond the Boundary Line (Inland route vessels); other than vessels operating on the Great Lakes First Class Pilot Master or Mate may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Has an annual physical exam. 3. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.1
Inspected self-propelled vessels not more than 1,600 GT, not authorized by their COI to proceed beyond the Boundary Line (Inland route vessels); other than vessels operating on the Great Lakes No pilotage requirement No pilotage requirement.
1 One round trip within the past 60 months.
2 If the route is to be traversed during darkness, 1 of the 4 round trips must be made during darkness.
(2) Table 15.812(e)(2) provides a guide to the pilotage requirements for tank barges.
Table 15.812(e)(2)—Quick Reference Table for Federal Pilotage Requirements for U.S. Inspected Tank Barges, not Sailing on Register
Designated areas of pilotage waters (routes for which First Class Pilot's licenses or MMC officer endorsements are issued) Nondesignated areas of pilotage waters (between the three mile line and the start of traditional pilotage routes)
Tank Barges greater than 10,000 GT, authorized by their Certificate of Inspection to proceed beyond the Boundary Line, or operating on the Great Lakes First Class Pilot Master, Mate, or Master, Mate (Pilot) of towing vessels may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Has an annual physical exam.1 3. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.2 4. Has at least 6 months' service in the deck department on towing vessels engaged in towing.
Tank Barges 10,000 GT or less, authorized by their Certificate of Inspection to proceed beyond the Boundary Line, or operating on the Great Lakes First Class Pilot, or Master, Mate, or Master, Mate (Pilot) of towing vessels may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old 2. Has an annual physical exam.1 3. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.2 4. Has at least 6 months' service in the deck department on towing vessels engaged in towing operations. 5. Has 12 round trips over the route.3 Master, Mate, or Master, Mate (Pilot) of towing vessels may serve as pilot if the individual: 1. Is at least 21 years old. 2. Has an annual physical exam.1 3. Maintains current knowledge of the waters to be navigated.2 4. Has at least 6 months' service in the deck department on towing vessels engaged in towing operations.
Tank Barges authorized by their Certificate of Inspection for Inland routes only (Lakes, Bays, and Sounds/Rivers); other than vessels operating on the Great Lakes No pilotage requirement No pilotage requirement.
1 Annual physical exam does not apply to an individual who will serve as a pilot of a Tank Barge of less than 1,600 gross tons.
2 One round trip within the past 60 months.
3 If the route is to be traversed during darkness, 3 of the 12 round trips must be made during darkness.
(f) In Prince William Sound, Alaska, coastwise seagoing vessels over 1,600 gross tons and propelled by machinery and subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 37 must:
(1) When operating from 60°49′ north latitude to the Port of Valdez be under the direction and control of an individual holding a valid license or MMC endorsed as pilot who:
(i) Is operating under the authority of a license or MMC;
(ii) Holds a license issued by the State of Alaska; and
(iii) Is not a member of the crew of the vessel.
(2) Navigate with either two credentialed deck officers on the bridge or an individual holding a valid license or MMC endorsed as pilot when operating south of 60°49′ north latitude and in the approaches through Hinchinbrook Entrance and in the area bounded:
(i) On the West by a line one mile west of the western boundary of the Traffic Separation Scheme;
(ii) On the East by 146°00′ West longitude;
(iii) On the North by 60°49′ North latitude; and
(iv) On the South by that area of Hinchinbrook Entrance within the territorial sea bounded by 60° 07′ North latitude and 146°31.5′ West longitude.
[CGD 84-060, 59 FR 4842, Feb. 2, 1994, as amended by CGD 84-060, 60 FR 20652, 20653, Apr. 27, 1995; USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58343, Sept. 30, 2004; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11262, Mar. 16, 2009]