(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 COI to proceed beyond the Boundary Line established in part 7 of this chapter, are in excess of 1,600 GRT propelled by machinery, and are subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 33.
(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 on 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 officer endorsement as first-class pilot, 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 GRT 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) Is able to show current knowledge of the waters to be navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter; and
(iii) Provides evidence of completing a minimum of four roundtrips over the route to be traversed while in the wheelhouse as watchstander or observer. At least one of the roundtrips 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 GRT/GT, described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section, provided he or she--
(i) Is at least 21 years old
(ii) Is able to show current knowledge of the waters to be navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter
(iii) Has a current physical examination in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 11.709 of this subchapter
(iv) Has at least 6 months of service in the deck department on towing vessels engaged in towing operations; an
(v) Provides evidence of completing a minimum of 12 roundtrips over the route to be traversed, as an observer or under instruction in the wheelhouse. At least three of the roundtrips 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) Is able to show current knowledge of the waters to be navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter; an
(3) Has a current physical examination in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 11.709 of this subchapter
(d) In any instance in which the qualifications of a person satisfying the requirements for pilotage through the provisions of this subpart are questioned by the Coast Guard, the individual must, within a reasonable time, provide the Coast Guard with documentation proving compliance with the applicable portions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section
(e) Federal pilotage requirements contained in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section are summarized in the following two quick reference tables
(1) Table 1 to Sec. 15.812(e)(1) provides a guide to the pilotage requirements for inspected, self-propelled vessels.
Table 1 to Sec. 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 Non-designated areas
(routes for which of pilotage waters
First-Class Pilot's (between the 3-mile
licenses or MMC line and the start
officer endorsements of traditional
are issued) pilotage routes)------------------------------------------------------------------------Inspected self-propelled First-Class Pilot... Master or Mate may
vessels greater than 1,600 serve as pilot if
GRT, authorized by their he or she--
COI to proceed beyond the 1. Is at least 21
Boundary Line, or operating years old;
on the Great Lakes. 2. Has an annual
physical exam; and
3. Maintains current
knowledge of the
waters to be
navigated.\1\Inspected self-propelled First-Class Pilot, Master or Mate may
vessels not more than 1,600 or Master or Mate serve as pilot if
GRT, authorized by their may serve as pilot he or she--
COI to proceed beyond the if he or she-- 1. Is at least 21
Boundary Line, or operating 1. Is at least 21 years old;
on the Great Lakes. years old;. 2. Has an annual
2. Maintains current physical exam; and
knowledge of the 3. Maintains current
waters to be knowledge of the
navigated; and \1\. waters to be
3. Has four navigated.\1\
roundtrips over the
route.\2\.Inspected self-propelled First-Class Pilot... Master or Mate may
vessels greater than 1,600 serve as pilot if
GRT, not authorized by he or she--
their COI to proceed beyond 1. Is at least 21
the Boundary Line (inland years old;
route vessels); other than 2. Has an annual
vessels operating on the physical exam; and
Great Lakes. 3. Maintains current
knowledge of the
waters to be
navigated.\1\Inspected self-propelled No pilotage No pilotage
vessels not more than 1,600 requirement. requirement.
GRT, not authorized by
their COI to proceed beyond
the Boundary Line (inland
route vessels); other than
vessels operating on the
Great Lakes.------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ One roundtrip within the past 60 months.
\2\ If the route is to be traversed during darkness, one of the four
roundtrips must be made during darkness.
(2) Table 1 to Sec. 15.812(e)(2) provides a guide to the pilotage requirements for tank barges.
Table 1 to Sec. 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 Non-designated areas
(routes for which of pilotage waters
First-Class Pilot's (between the 3-mile
licenses or MMC line and the start
officer endorsements of traditional
are issued) pilotage routes)------------------------------------------------------------------------Tank Barges greater than First-Class Pilot... Master, Mate, or
10,000 GRT/GT, authorized Master, Mate, or Master, Mate
by their COI to proceed Master, Mate (Pilot) of towing
beyond the Boundary Line, (Pilot) of towing vessels may serve
or operating on the Great vessels may serve as pilot if he or
Lakes. as pilot if he or she:
she:. 1. Is at least 21
1. Is at least 21 years old;
years old;. 2. Has an annual
2. Has an annual physical exam; \2\
physical exam;. 3. Maintains current
3. Maintains current knowledge of the
knowledge of the waters to be
waters to be navigated; \1\ and
navigated; \1\ and. 4. Has at least 6
4. Has at least 6 months' service in
months' service in the deck department
the deck department on towing vessels
on towing vessels engaged in towing
engaged in towing. operationsTank Barges 10,000 GRT/GT or First-Class Pilot,
less, authorized by their or Master, Mate, or
COI to proceed beyond the Master, Mate
Boundary Line, or operating (Pilot) of towing
on the Great Lakes. vessels may serve
as pilot if he or
she:
1. Is at least 21
years old;.
2. Has an annual
physical exam; \2\.
3. Maintains current
knowledge of the
waters to be
navigated; \1\.
4. Has at least 6
months' service in
the deck department
on towing vessels
engaged in towing
operations; and.
5. Has 12 roundtrips
over the route.\3\.Tank Barges authorized by No pilotage No pilotage
their COI for inland routes requirement. requirement.
only (lakes, bays, and
sounds/rivers); other than
vessels operating on the
Great Lakes------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ One roundtrip within the past 60 months.\2\ Annual physical exam does not apply to an individual who will serve
as a pilot of a tank barge of less than 1,600 GRT.\3\ If the route is to be traversed during darkness, three of the 12
roundtrips must be made during darkness.
(f) In Prince William Sound, Alaska, coastwise seagoing vessels over 1,600 GRT and propelled by machinery and subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 37 must--
(1) When operating from 6049 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; an
(iii) Is not a crewmember of the vessel; an
(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 6049 north latitude and in the approaches through Hinchinbrook Entrance and in the area bounded--
(i) On the West by a line 1 mile west of the western boundary of the Traffic Separation Scheme
(ii) On the East by 14600 West longitude;
(iii) On the North by 6049 North latitude; and
(iv) On the South by that area of Hinchinbrook Entrance within the territorial sea bounded by 6007 North latitude and 14631.5 West longitude [USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78005, Dec. 24, 2013]