VESSELS REQUIRING A STATE PILOT

In general, every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register, entering, departing or traversing the waters of a state must employ a pilot licensed by the state in which the vessel traverses.  An “American vessel under register” is a U.S. flag vessel engaged in foreign trade. The vessel may be arriving from a foreign country, bound for a foreign country or carrying foreign cargo.

There are some exceptions which are sighted below. The States set the pilotage rates and makes the laws which govern pilotage. These laws are in effect in order for The States to ensure the safe passage of vessels and to protect their waterways and shores.

RHODE ISLAND

In general, every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register, entering, departing or traversing the waters of the state must employ a pilot licensed by the state.

Rhode Island Yacht special exemption “Any yacht that is less than 200 feet in length overall, which is not engaged in commercial operations, does not require a state pilot.”

CONNECTICUT & BLOCK ISLAND SOUND

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. (New York has concurrent jurisdiction.)

Connecticut yacht exemption: vessels as defined in 46 USC 2101, of less than two-hundred feet in length overall are not required to take a state pilot.

NEW YORK & LONG ISLAND SOUND

Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register transiting the NY waters of Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound shall take a pilot. 

New York Yacht exemption Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound only: recreational vessels as defined in 46 USC 2101 of less than two-hundred feet in length overall are not required to take a state pilot.

MASSACHUSETTS

Every foreign vessel of three hundred and fifty gross tons or over, every other United States vessel that is carrying oil, hazardous material, or hazardous waste in bulk as cargo in or entering upon areas of special interest within the waters of the commonwealth, every United States vessel under register of three hundred and fifty gross tons or over

PILOT STATIONS

PILOT STATIONS AND PILOT BOATS are not monitored 24 hours a day; therefore, you may only be able to reach pilot boat VHF channels 10/13/16, approximately 1-2 hours prior to scheduled boarding time.​ Vessels should contact your agent with any questions.

PRIMARY PILOT STATION, Narragansett Bay Entrance & Rhode Island Sound: ​

Lat: 41-17.0N; Lon: 071-31.0W “NB” Buoy: for vessels bound for Rhode Island waters. Pilot will board approximately one and half miles east of the Narragansett Bay (NB) buoy

Point Judith and Block Island Sound for vessels bound for Connecticut & New York waters via Block Island Sound:

Point Judith Pilot Station, Lat: 41-17.0N; Lon: 071-31.0W

Sandwich, MA: (east entrance of Cape Cod Canal) 

Lat: 41-48.0N; Lon: 070-28.5W 

ADDITIONAL PILOT STATIONS

Buzzards Bay Tower (MA); City Island & Stepping Stone Light (East River, NYC); Gay Head (MA); Provincetown Sea Buoy

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS As permitted by The President, Pilots and Executive Director.

PILOT TRANSFER AND LADDER REQUIREMENTS

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 23 outlines the requirements for pilot ladders. These requirements include: Certification: The ladder must be certified by the manufacturer to comply with SOLAS or ISO 799:2004. Steps: Steps must be made of hardwood, non-slip, and free of knots. They should be at least 115 mm wide, 25 mm deep, and spaced 310–350 mm apart. The four lowest steps can be made of rubber or another suitable material. Side ropes Side ropes should be made of manila, continuous, and have no joints. Each side rope should have a breaking strength of at least 24 kN. Retrieval line The retrieval line should be attached at or above the last spreader step and lead forward. Ladder height The ladder should allow the pilot to climb between 1.5 and 9 meters above the water. Ladder position The ladder should be secured so that it’s clear of any possible ship discharges and the steps rest against the ship’s side. Ladder maintenance The ladder should be kept clean and properly maintained. Rigging The rigging of the pilot ladder should be supervised by a responsible officer.

PILOT BOAT LOCATIONS

MAIN OFFICE & DISPATCH: 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840

• DISPATCH CONTACT: (401) 847-9050 & dispatch@nemarinepilots.com
• NEWPORT PILOT BOATS: 5 Goat Island Rd, Newport, RI, 02840
• SANDWICH/CAPE COD PILOT BOAT: 12 Freezer Rd., Sandwich, MA 02563
• PILOT BOATS are not monitored 24 hours a day; therefore, you may only be able to reach pilot boat VHF channels 10/13/16, approximately 1-2 hours prior to scheduled boarding time.​ Vessels should contact your agent with any questions.