CHAPTER 93 —GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE
Historical and Revision Notes
§9301. Definitions
In this chapter—
(1) "Canadian registered pilot" means an individual (except a regular crewmember of a vessel) who is registered by Canada on the same basis as an individual registered under
(2) "Great Lakes" means Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, their connecting and tributary waters, the Saint Lawrence River as far east as Saint Regis, and adjacent port areas.
(3) "United States registered pilot" means an individual (except a regular crewmember of a vessel) who is registered under
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9301(1) | 46:216(d) |
| 9301(2) | 46:216(a) |
| 9301(3) | 46:216(c) |
Section 9301 contains definitions which pertain to this chapter only.
Clause (1) defines "Canadian registered pilot" as an individual registered as a pilot in Canada on the same basis as the United States.
Clause (2) defines "Great Lakes" as the five lakes plus their connecting and tributary waters, a certain part of the Saint Lawrence River, and adjacent ports.
Clause (3) defines "United States registered pilot" as an individual registered under regulations for competency under section 9303.
§9302. Great Lakes pilots required
(a)(1) Except as provided in subsections (d), (e), and (f) of this section, each vessel of the United States operating on register and each foreign vessel shall engage a United States or Canadian registered pilot for the route being navigated who shall—
(A) in waters of the Great Lakes designated by the President, direct the navigation of the vessel subject to the customary authority of the master; and
(B) in waters of the Great Lakes not designated by the President, be on board and available to direct the navigation of the vessel at the discretion of and subject to the customary authority of the master.
(2) The President shall make water designations under this subsection with regard to the public interest, the effective use of navigable waters, marine safety, and the foreign relations of the United States.
(b) A member of the complement of a vessel of the United States operating on register or of a vessel of Canada may serve as the pilot required on waters not designated by the President if the member is licensed under
(c) The authority extended under subsections (a) and (b) of this section to a Canadian registered pilot or other Canadian licensed officer to serve on certain vessels in United States waters of the Great Lakes shall continue as long as Canada extends reciprocity to United States registered pilots and other individuals licensed by the United States for pilotage service in Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.
(d) A vessel may be operated on the United States waters of the Great Lakes without a United States or Canadian registered pilot when—
(1) the Secretary notifies the master that a registered pilot is not available; or
(2) the vessel or its cargo is in distress or jeopardy.
(e) A Canadian vessel regularly operating on the Great Lakes or between ports on the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River, with only an occasional voyage to ports in the maritime provinces of Canada in the Canadian coastal trade, is exempt from subsection (a) of this section as long as Canada permits enrolled vessels of the United States to be operated on Canadian waters of the Great Lakes under the direction of individuals licensed under
(f) A documented vessel regularly operating on the Great Lakes or between ports on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9302(a), (b), (d) | 46:216a |
| 9302(c) | 46:216f |
Section 9302 sets forth the requirements for pilots on the waters of the Great Lakes under the jurisdiction of the United States or Canada.
Subsection (a) requires each United States vessel sailing on register and each foreign vessel to engage a United States or Canadian registered pilot who shall direct the navigation of the vessel in designated waters of the Great Lakes or be available to direct the navigation of the vessel in undesignated waters of the Great Lakes. The President must make the designation with regard to public interest, effective use of navigable waters, marine safety, and United States foreign relations. The direction of the vessel by an authorized pilot is subject to the customary authority of the master.
Subsection (b) provides that a crewmember licensed for Great Lakes navigation under section 7101 or equivalent Canadian law may serve as the pilot on undesignated waters.
Subsection (c) provides for reciprocity of recognizing United States and Canadian pilots.
Subsections (d) and (e) are exceptions to subsection (a). Subsection (d) permits operation of a vessel on the Great Lakes without a registered pilot if notice is given that one is not available or if the vessel or cargo is in distress or jeopardy. Subsection (e) exempts a Canadian vessel in the coastwise or Great Lakes trade from the requirement of having a registered pilot if similar United States vessels are extended the same exemption by Canada.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
1990—Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by
Executive Documents
Proc. No. 3385. Designation of Restricted Waters
Proc. No. 3385, Dec. 22, 1960, 25 F.R. 13681, as amended by Proc. No. 3855, June 10, 1968, 33 F.R. 8535, provided:
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 3(a) of the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 (
WHEREAS the aforesaid section 3(a) [
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America, acting under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 3(a) of the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 [
(1) District 1. All United States waters of the St. Lawrence River between the international boundary at St. Regis and a line at the head of the river running (at approximately 127° true) between Carruthers Point Light and South Side Light extended to the New York shore.
(2) District 2. All United States waters of Lake Erie westward of a line running (at approximately 026° true) from Sandusky Pierhead Light at Cedar Point to Southeast Shoal Light; all waters contained within the arc of a circle of one mile radius eastward of Sandusky Pierhead Light; the Detroit River; Lake St. Clair; the St. Clair River, and northern approaches thereto south of latitude 43°05′30″ N.
(3) District 3. All United States waters of the St. Marys River, Sault Sainte Marie Locks and approaches thereto between latitude 45°59′ N. at the southern approach and longitude 84°33′ W. at the northern approach.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this twenty-second day of December in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-fifth.
[
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
§9303. United States registered pilot service
(a) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation standards of competency to be met by each applicant for registration under this chapter. An applicant must—
(1) have a license as master, mate, or pilot issued under
(2) have acquired at least 24 months licensed service or equivalent experience on vessels or integrated towing vessels and tows of at least 4,000 gross tons as measured under
(3) agree that, if appointed as a United States registered pilot, the applicant will be available for service when required.
(b) The Secretary shall issue to each registered pilot under this chapter a certificate of registration describing the areas within which the pilot may serve. The pilot shall carry the certificate when in the service of a vessel.
(c) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation the duration of validity of registration.
(d) The Secretary may prescribe by regulation the conditions for service by United States registered pilots, including availability for service.
(e) Subject to
(f) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation rates and charges for pilotage services, giving consideration to the public interest and the costs of providing the services. The Secretary shall establish new pilotage rates by March 1 of each year. The Secretary shall establish base pilotage rates by a full ratemaking at least once every 5 years and shall conduct annual reviews of such base pilotage rates, and make adjustments to such base rates, in each intervening year.
(g) The Secretary shall ensure that a sufficient number of individuals are assigned to carrying out subsection (f).
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9303(a) | 46:216b(a) |
| 9303(b) | 46:216b(b) |
| 9303(c) | 46:216b(c) |
| 9303(e) | 46:216b(c) |
| 9303(f) | 46:216c |
Section 9303 authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulatory standards of competency for registered pilots.
Subsection (a) requires an applicant for registration as a pilot to have a master's, mate's, or pilot's license, 24 months of licensed service, or equivalent, on vessels on the oceans or Great Lakes, with a minimum of 6 months on the Great Lakes, and agree to be available for service as a United States registered pilot if appointed.
Subsection (b) requires the Secretary to issue a certificate of registration describing the areas of service of a registered pilot who must carry the certificate when in a vessel's service.
Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to prescribe the duration of the validity of registration, while subsection (d) authorizes the Secretary to prescribe conditions for service by United States registered pilots.
Subsection (e) provides for the suspension or revocation of a certificate or registration by the Secretary.
Subsection (f) provides for setting the rates and charges for pilotage services.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
1996—Subsec. (a)(2).
§9304. Pilotage pools
(a) The Secretary may authorize the formation of a pool by a voluntary association of United States registered pilots to provide for efficient dispatching of vessels and rendering of pilotage services.
(b) For pilotage pools, the Secretary may—
(1) limit the number of the pools;
(2) prescribe regulations for their operation and administration;
(3) prescribe a uniform system of accounts;
(4) perform audits and inspections; and
(5) require coordination on a reciprocal basis with similar pool arrangements authorized by the appropriate agency of Canada.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9304 | 46:216b(e) |
Section 9304 provides for the formation of a pool by a voluntary association of United States registered pilots to provide for efficient pilotage services.
Subsection (a) permits the Secretary to authorize formation of United States pilotage pools.
Subsection (b) sets forth the restrictions and conditions that the Secretary may prescribe for these pools.
§9305. Agreements with Canada
To provide for a coordinated system of pilotage service on the Great Lakes, the Secretary, subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may make agreements with the appropriate agency of Canada to—
(1) fix the number of pilots to be registered in each country;
(2) provide for participation on an equitable basis;
(3) prescribe joint or identical rates and charges;
(4) coordinate pool operations; and
(5) establish conditions for services by registered pilots.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9305 | 46:216b(d) 46:216d |
Section 9305 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to make agreements with Canada for a coordinated system of pilotage service on the Great Lakes. The agreements may fix the number of registered pilots, provide for equitable participation, prescribe rates and charges, coordinate pool operations, and establish conditions for service.
§9306. State regulation prohibited
A State or political subdivision of a State may not regulate or impose any requirement on pilotage on the Great Lakes.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9306 | 46:216g |
Section 9306 prohibits State or local regulations of pilotage on the Great Lakes and is part of the exception provided by law envisioned under section 8501(a).
§9307. Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee
(a) The Secretary shall establish a Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. The Committee—
(1) may review proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations and policies and make recommendations to the Secretary that the Committee considers appropriate;
(2) may advise, consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to Great Lakes pilotage;
(3) may make available to the Congress recommendations that the Committee makes to the Secretary; and
(4) shall meet at the call of—
(A) the Secretary, who shall call such a meeting at least once during each calendar year; or
(B) a majority of the Committee.
(b)(1) The Committee shall consist of 8 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection, each of whom has at least 5 years practical experience in maritime operations. The term of each member is for a period of not more than 5 years, specified by the Secretary. Before filling a position on the Committee, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee.
(2) The membership of the Committee shall include—
(A) the President of each of the 3 Great Lakes pilotage districts, or the President's representative;
(B) one member chosen from among nominations made by vessel operators that contract for Great Lakes pilotage services;
(C) one member chosen from among nominations made by Great Lakes port authorities and marine terminals;
(D) one member chosen from among nominations made by shippers whose cargoes are transported through Great Lakes ports;
(E) one member chosen from among nominations made by Great Lakes maritime labor organizations; and
(F) a member who—
(i) must have been recommended to the Secretary by a unanimous vote of the other members of the Committee, and
(ii) may be appointed without regard to requirement in paragraph (1) that each member have 5 years of practical experience in maritime operations.
(c)(1) The Committee shall elect one of its members as the Chairman and one of its members as the Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or incapacity of the Chairman, or in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chairman.
(2) The Secretary shall, and any other interested agency may, designate a representative to participate as an observer with the Committee. The Secretary's designated representative shall act as the executive secretary of the Committee and shall perform the duties set forth in
(d)(1) The Secretary shall, whenever practicable, consult with the Committee before taking any significant action relating to Great Lakes pilotage.
(2) The Secretary shall consider the information, advice, and recommendations of the Committee in formulating policy regarding matters affecting Great Lakes pilotage.
(3) Any recommendations to the Secretary under subsection (a)(2) must have been approved by at least all but one of the members then serving on the committee.
(e)(1) A member of the Committee, when attending meetings of the Committee or when otherwise engaged in the business of the Committee, is entitled to receive—
(A) compensation at a rate fixed by the Secretary, not exceeding the daily equivalent of the current rate of basic pay in effect for GS–18 of the General Schedule under
(B) travel or transportation expenses under
(2) A member of the Committee shall not be considered to be an officer or employee of the United States for any purpose based on their receipt of any payment under this subsection.
(f)(1)
(2) 2 years before the termination date set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Committee shall submit to the Congress its recommendation regarding whether the Committee should be renewed and continued beyond the termination date.
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9307 | 46:216h |
Section 9307 permits the Secretary to establish a Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. This Committee is to be established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (
Subsection (a) authorizes the Committee to review and make recommendations on Great Lakes pilotage regulation and policies and to make the recommendations available to Congress and requires the Committee to meet at the call of the Secretary.
Subsection (b) establishes the membership of the Committee as 3 members with 5 years of practical maritime experience appointed by the Secretary for a term of not more than 5 years. A Federal Register notice of solicitation for membership nominations for filling a position is required.
Subsection (c) provides for pay and travel expenses, including per diem, for the members.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (f)(1).
2021—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(2)(E).
Subsec. (b)(2)(F).
Subsec. (f)(1).
2010—Subsec. (f)(1).
2006—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
2004—Subsec. (f)(1).
2000—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(E).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f)(1).
1998—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Construction of 2021 Amendment
References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of
§9308. Penalties
(a) An owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel knowingly allowing the vessel to be operated in violation of
(b) An individual who directs the navigation of a vessel in violation of
(c) A person violating a regulation prescribed under
(
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 9308 | 46:216e(a)–(c) |
Section 9308 prescribes the penalties for violations of sections 9302 and 9303.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1990—Subsecs. (a) to (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by