PILOT. In many maritime countries the name of pilot is applied to a constant officer in a ship, who has the charge of the helm and the general direction of the ship's course; and also to a person who under takes the special charge of navigating ships in particular rivers, roads, or channels, or in entering and leaving ports, and who is entrusted with such charge independently of the captains or masters, in con sequence of his peculiar acquaintance with the navigation within the limits to which his duty is restricted. In France large vessels usually carry several officers of the former kind, who are called pilotes !maga piers ; the latter description of pilot is called pilots atier, or lantaneur. The ancient laws of France contained provisions for the education and regulation of both these kinds of pilots (Merlin, 114pertoire de Juris prudence,' art. Larnaneur et Pilate Valin, Commcntaire sur l'Ordonnance de la Maine du Moi d'Aciftt,' 1681, tom. 1 , p. 483) ; but they are not mentioned in the Code do Commerce. In England the term is applied exclusively to officers of the latter description. By the laws of many maritime countries, taking a pilot to navigate a vessel on approaching port has been considered from early times to be obli gatory on the master. Thus, by the laws of Wisbuy, which were promulgated in the 12th century, and were incorporated in the marine laws of moat European countries, it was compulsory on the master to take a coastrpilot on board, though the merchant or master opposed it. (' Ordonnances de Wisbuy,' art. 44.) A similar provision Is found in the !Consent° del Mare.' (Boucher, • Conaulat de Is Mer,' vol. ii.) In this country, pilots are established at several porta for limited parts of the coast, who are appointed and regulated sometimes by acts of parliament, and sometimes by charters of incorporation ; and in general the master of a ship engaged in foreign trade must put his ship under the charge of such a pilot, both in his outward and homeward voyage, within the limits of every such establishment. Pilotage in the Thames
and Medway, and along the coast, from Orfordness to the Isle of Wight, excepting the jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports, has been for several centuries under the management of the corporation of the Trinity-house, and acts of parliament have been from time to time passed to regulate the Trinity-house and Cinque Port pilots. All these regulations were reconsidered by parliament in. the year 1825, and the majority of them were consolidated in the statute 6 Goo. IV., c. 125, which contains also some general provisions respecting pilots in other parts of the kingdom. (Abbott' (in Shipping,' 1840.) It was not till the passing of the Merchant Shipping Act, in August, 1854, that the present system of pilotage was organised. By it the existing powers for regulating pilotage were confirmed and arranged. Rules of pilotage, limits of districts, funds for superannuated pilots, the granting, renewing, and cancelling licence certificates, powers to make and amend by-lawn—all these underwent revision : the Trinity house being the source of authority in case of irregularities in the furnishing of returns, &c.; the whole being subject to the Board of Trade (ride 17 & 18 Viet., c. 104).