US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 8503

Federal pilots authorized

(a)
section 7101 of this title The Secretary may require a pilot licensed under on a self-propelled vessel when a pilot is not required by State law and the vessel is—
(1)
engaged in foreign commerce; and
(2)
operating—
(A)
in internal waters of the United States; or
(B)
within 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.
(b)
A requirement prescribed under subsection (a) of this section is terminated when the State having jurisdiction over the area involved—
(1)
establishes a requirement for a State licensed pilot; and
(2)
notifies the Secretary of that fact.
(c)
For the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Secretary may not delegate the authority under this section to an agency except the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
(d)
A person violating this section or a regulation prescribed under this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.
(e)
A person that knowingly violates this section or a regulation prescribed under this section commits a class D felony.

Pub. L. 98–557, § 29(f)(3)(A)98 Stat. 2874 Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4302(h)104 Stat. 539 Pub. L. 105–383, title III, § 301(b)(8)112 Stat. 3417 Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title V, § 512(c)(6)(C)134 Stat. 2757 (Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–2602020—Subsec. (c). substituted “Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation” for “Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation”.

Pub. L. 105–3831998—Subsec. (a)(2). added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “operating on the navigable waters of the United States.”

Pub. L. 101–3801990—Subsec. (e). substituted “commits a class D felony” for “shall be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than five years, or both”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–380section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380section 2701 of Title 33Amendment by applicable to incidents occurring after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Executive Documents

Territorial Sea of United States

section 1331 of Title 43For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under , Public Lands.