Pilotage Laws

PILOTAGE LAWS. The present general British pilotage laws are contained in the Pilotage Act, 1913, which Act consoli dated and amended the laws of pilotage as they existed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. On the passing of the former Act, the Board of Trade, as the central authority, held enquiries, with the result that pilotage orders were made by it in re spect of each District. Each pilotage order defines the limits of the district, names the pilotage authority therefor, states whether pilotage is compulsory or not therein, and empowers the authority to delegate any of its powers or duties to a pilotage committee, on which may sit representatives of both pilots and shipowners. The pilotage authority makes the necessary by-laws for the regu lation of pilotage and pilots in its district, but these do not take effect until they are confirmed by the Board of Trade.

The principal pilotage authority is the Corporation of Trinity House, London, exercising jurisdiction in the London district, which extends from Orfordness to Selsea Bill, and in 38 other dis tricts round the coasts of England and Wales. There are, however, about 6o other districts within which other pilotage authorities have jurisdiction.

Compulsory Pilotage.

A ship, whilst navigating in a district in which pilotage is compulsory, for the purpose of entering, leaving or making use of any port in that district, is required to be either under the pilotage of a licensed pilot of the dis trict, or under the pilotage of a master or mate possessing a pilotage certificate for the district, who is bona fide acting as master or mate of the ship. A ship carrying passengers (other than an excepted ship) is, however, compelled to be under pilotage irrespective of whether the district in which she is navigating is a compulsory one or not. Under the Aliens Restriction (Amend ment) Act, 1919, pilotage certificates cannot be granted to aliens, except to masters or mates of French nationality trading to the ports of Newhaven or Grimsby.

The following ships are excepted from compulsory pilotage : (I) Ships belonging to His Majesty. (2) Pleasure yachts. (3) Fishing vessels. (4) Ferry boats. (5) Ships of less than 5o tons' gross tonnage. (6) Ships exempted by by-law. (7) Tugs, dredg ers, sludge vessels, barges and other similar craft belonging to or hired by a dock, harbour or river authority. (8) Ships call

ing at a port in a pilotage district for the sole purpose of taking on board or landing a pilot belonging to some other pilotage district.

The Board of Trade has the power, on the representation of par ties interested, to revoke or vary any by-laws in a pilotage dis trict, or require the pilotage authority to make by-laws. The licensing of a pilot by a pilotage authority does not involve any liability on the part of the authority for any loss occasioned by any act or default of the pilot.

Pilot Boats.

All pilot boats regularly employed in any dis trict must be approved and licensed by the pilotage authority for that district, who may appoint or remove the masters thereof. Every pilot boat must be distinguished by the name of her owner and port on her stern, and her number on each bow, and the hull of the boat is usually painted black. When afloat the pilot boat must fly a red and white horizontal flag, known as a pilot flag, in a conspicuous position. A pilot flag must also be displayed by a vessel having on board a licensed pilot for the dis trict, or a master or mate holding a pilotage certificate. The master of a ship subject to pilotage in a district must, under a penalty, display a pilot signal and keep it displayed until a licensed pilot comes on board, and if the master accepts the services of a pilot he must give him facilities for getting on board.

The following persons are liable to pay pilotage dues for way ship for which the services of a licensed pilot have been obtained, viz.: (a) the owner or master, or (b) the consignees or agents who have paid or are liable to pay any other charges on account of the ship, and these dues may be recovered in the same manner as fines under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. The pilotage dues on foreign ships, subject to compulsory pilotage, trading to and from the port of London, have to be paid to the chief officer of customs and excise in that port, and such a ship may be detained until such dues are paid. It is an offence, punishable by a fine, if a licensed pilot demands or receives, and a master offers or pays, dues in respect of pilotage services at any other rates, whether greater or less, than those which are fixed by by-law.