What's happening
This bill allows recreational vessels under 200 feet to be exempted from mandatory state pilotage requirements at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots.
Why it matters
Potentially lowers costs for owners/operators of large recreational vessels. by allowing them to avoid mandatory hiring of state-licensed pilots, which can be a significant expense for vessels just under 200 feet.
Places more discretion with the board of commissioners of pilots. , giving them the authority to grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis rather than applying a blanket rule, which could lead to more tailored safety and navigation decisions.
Could encourage more visits by large recreational vessels (such as superyachts) to New York waters. , potentially boosting local tourism and marina-related economic activity, since pilotage requirements can be a deterrent for such vessels.
Raises questions about navigational safety and oversight. , as the exemption removes a layer of professional pilot expertise for certain large recreational boats, possibly increasing risk depending on the board’s use of discretion.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Exempt Small Boats From Pilots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Approval memo.28
- Signed chap.582
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- 3rd reading cal.1816
- Substituted for S4200A
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.376
- Rules report cal.376
Show 5 earlier actions
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 6703a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Exempt Small Boats from Pilots
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6703--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the navigation law, in relation to exempting certain vessels from the compulsory state pilotage requirement
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 88 of the navigation law, as amended by chapter 943 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register entering or departing from the Port of New York by the way of Sandy Hook or by the way of Sands Point or Execution Rocks, shall take a Sandy Hook pilot licensed under the authority of this article or of the laws of the state of New Jersey or a person heretofore licensed as a Hell Gate pilot. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code of less than two hundred feet in length may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots. Whenever the services of such a pilot are refused, the master, owners or consignees, shall pay pilotage as if one had been employed. Such pilotage shall be paid to the pilot first speaking or offering his services as pilot to such vessel. The pilotage authorized to be collected whenever a pilot shall be refused by a vessel shall 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 benefit and use. Recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09703-02-9
A. 6703--A 2
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 89-a of the navigation law, as amended by chapter 838 of the laws of 1960, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register, except vessels proceeding otherwise than by sea and of less than three hundred gross registered tons and having a fully loaded draft of seven feet or less, entering or departing from the Hudson river north of a line running from the foot of Main street, Yonkers, west to Alpine, New Jersey, or navigating any of the waters of the Hudson river north of said line and south of the dam at Troy, New York, shall take a Hudson river pilot licensed under the authority of this article. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code of less than two hundred feet in length may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots. Whenever the services of such a pilot are refused, the master, owners or consignees shall pay pilotage as if one had been employed. Such pilotage shall be paid to the pilot first speaking or offering his services as pilot to such vessel. The pilotage authorized to be collected whenever a pilot shall be refused by a vessel shall 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 benefit and use. Recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 89-b of the navigation law, as amended by chapter 732 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
1. Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register transiting the New York state waters of Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound east of Execution Rocks or Sands Point, and any such vessels entering or departing from any port situated on the New York state waters of Long Island Sound east of Execution Rocks or Sands Point, shall take a Long Island-Block Island Sound pilot licensed under the authority of this article. Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register transiting the New York state waters of Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound east of a line running southeasterly from the mouth of the Byram River at the New York-Connecticut boundary to Oak Neck Point on Long Island shall take a pilot licensed under the authority of this article or the laws of any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over these waters. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code of less than two hundred feet in length may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots. Whenever the services of such a pilot are refused, the master, owners or consignees shall pay pilotage as if one had been employed. The pilotage authorized to be collected whenever a pilot shall be refused by a vessel shall 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 benefit and use. Recreational vessels as defined in section 2101(25) of title 46 of the United States Code may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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