Marine Pilot License for Vessels

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15-15. Vessels requiring pilots.

(a) Each foreign and American vessel under register, entering or departing from any port in this state and each vessel transiting the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound shall take a pilot who is licensed under the provisions of section 15-13, or licensed under the laws of any state having concurrent jurisdiction over Long Island Sound. Whenever the services of such a pilot are refused, the master, the owner or the consignee shall pay pilotage as if such pilot had actually been employed. The pilotage authorized to be collected whenever a pilot shall be refused by a vessel may be sued for and recovered in the name of the pilot tendering such service. Such pilotage when recovered, shall belong to and may be retained by such pilot for his own use and benefit.

(b) No person not licensed as a pilot under the provisions of section 15-13 or of the laws of any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over Long Island Sound shall pilot, or offer to pilot any foreign vessel, or any American vessel sailing under register, to or from any port in this state, including any such vessels transiting the Connecticut waters of Long island Sound. No master or person on board any tug or towboat shall tow such a vessel to or from any port in this state including any such vessels transiting the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound, unless such vessel has on board a pilot licensed under the provisions of section 15-13 or licensed under the laws of any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over Long Island sound.

(c) Any person or any officer or agent of any firm or corporation who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or be imprisoned not more than sixty days, or be both fined and imprisoned.

15-15a. Regulations.

The commissioner of transportation shall promulgate such regulations, respecting the conduct and duties of licensed pilots and the piloting, docking and undocking of vessels, as he deems necessary for the protection of property, public safety and the effective administration of sections 15-13, 15-14, 15-15 and 15-15b.

15-15b. Reports by pilot.

Once every three months, each licensed pilot shall render to the commissioner of transportation an accurate account of all vessels piloted by him. Any pilot who makes a false return shall be subject to suspension or revocation of his license as provided in section 15-13.

15-15c. Exemption from pilot requirement.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to (1) vessels navigating under a certificate of enrolment under the control of a federally licensed pilot (2) American vessels engaged in fishing, or (3) vessels otherwise exempt by the laws of the United States.

15-15d. Pilotage concurrent with New York.

Pilotage on Long Island Sound shall be concurrent with the state of New York.