PILOT (ante). In thiecountry pilots are controlled as to their examinations, qualifica tions, and conduct, by the laws of the states within whose waters they aro licensed to ply their trade. Under the provision of the constitution giving congress power to "regulate commerce with foreign nations and between the several slates," the national legislature in 1789, 1837, and 1866, passed acts granting to the states power to enact each its own regulations regarding pilotage. In all they are licensed to offer themselves, and while the ship's master is usually obliged to accept the first pilot boarding him, the pilot on his part is generally compelled to obey the call of the ship-master. The pilot's fee is called pilotage, and for it there is a lien on the ship which may be enforced in an admi ralty court. The master need not give up control of the ship when first boarded unIcsfi he choose; at New York the.pilots often find a vessel two or three hundred miles at sea, but the practice is for the pilot to take control 15 or 20 m. off Sandy Hook. The duty of the pilot does not extend beyond the proper guidance of the ship. The captain is
responsible for the proper execution of the necessary orders. It has been held by the U. S. supreme court that the mere fact that. a licensed pilot is on board a vessel will not relieve the owners from liability in case of collision. if a ship refuse to take a license, a good defense exists in an action against insurers of goods or vessel. In New York about 180 pilots are licensed by the board of commissioners. The license is revocable for misconduct or inefficiency; and, in ease of loss through the pilot's fault, the pilotage is forfeited, and perhaps a suit for damages would lie. The pilotage for taking a ship into N. Y. harbor varies from $2.70 to $6.50 per foot of the vessel's draft, with $4 added in winter, and one-quarter added to the rate if the ship be boarded outside Sandy Hook. Outward pilotage is somewhat less. Vessels going in and out of the Sound through Hell Gate are obliged to take a pilot or pay a fixed sum hi commutation. This is generally regarded as a hardship, most coast sailors being fully competent to make the passage safely.