What's happening
This bill allows certain recreational vessels under 200 feet to be exempt from New York’s compulsory pilotage requirements at the discretion of the pilot commissioners.
Why it matters
Could increase flexibility for owners and operators of large recreational vessels. (such as private yachts), by potentially reducing the need to hire costly, state-licensed pilots for certain trips, depending on the discretion of pilot commissioners.
Places significant authority with the board of commissioners of pilots. , allowing them to determine on a case-by-case basis whether to grant exemptions, which could lead to variations in application and influence standards for maritime safety.
May impact pilotage revenues and workload for licensed state pilots. , as more recreational vessels under 200 feet could be exempted, reducing the number of vessels required to take on pilots and pay associated fees.
Raises questions about navigational safety and local waterway management. , since exempted vessels may not have the same level of local navigational expertise as state-licensed pilots, potentially affecting risk in congested or challenging New York waters.
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Who cares
Recreational vessel owners and operators
The bill would allow discretionary exemptions from compulsory state pilotage, expressly including recreational vessels under 200 feet, in the covered New York Harbor, Hudson River and Sound waters.
Board of Commissioners of Pilots
The board would gain discretion to exempt recreational vessels from the pilotage requirements in each of the three amended provisions.
Sandy Hook, Hudson River and Long Island–Block Island Sound pilots
Exemptions could reduce the number of recreational vessels required to use their services under the amended provisions.
Headline styles
Exempt Small Boats from Pilots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A6703A
- Ordered to third reading cal.1816
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 4200a
- Amend and recommit to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
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
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4200--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 4, 2019
Introduced by Sens. LANZA, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation -- 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09703-03-9
S. 4200--A 2
this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots.
§ 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the navigation law, in relation to exempting certain vessels from the compulsory state pilotage requirement
Purpose
To exempt certain vessels from the compulsory state pilotage requirement
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision 1 of section 88 of the navigation law to exempt certain recreational vessels of less than 200 feet in length from the compulsory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots referring to vessels departing from the Port of New York by the way of Sandy Hook or by the way of Sands Point or Execution Rocks.
Section two amends subdivision 1 of section 89-a of the navigation law to exempt certain vessels less than 200 feet in length from the compul- sory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots referring to vessels 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.
Section three amends subdivision 1 of section 89-b of the navigation law to exempt certain recreational vessels less than 200 feet in length from the compulsory state pilotage requirement pursuant to this subdivision at the discretion of the board of commissioners of pilots referring to vessels 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, or vessels 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.
Justification
Currently, all foreign vessels and American vessels under register (arriving from a foreign country) must take a state licensed pilot when entering or departing regulated waters. The states of Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island have, or are in the process of, exempting recre- ational vessels of less than 200 feet in length from compulsory state pilotage. The Board proposes to amend the referenced sections of the navigation law to read "Certain recreational vessels may be exempted from the compulsory state pilotage requirement at the discretion of the Board." This proposed amendment will make the New York Navigation Law consistent with neighboring states with respect to pilotage of recre- ational vessels, and prevent any potential ò confusion in enforcement among states.
Legislative history
2018: S.8935A - Referred to Rules/A.11163 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.