Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 494 - BOARD OF PILOTAGE COMMISSIONERS
Chapter 494-1 - SAINT SIMONS AND SAINT ANDREWS BARS
Subject 494-1-1 - RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF BAR AND HARBOR PILOTAGE
Rule 494-1-1-.24 - Pilot Functions and Responsibilities

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 494-1-1-.24

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Pilot services shall be made available to the Master of every inbound vessel that requires a State pilot pursuant to Section 52-6-45 of the Georgia Code.

(2) The Boundary Lines defined in 46 CFR 7.75, 46 CFR 7.80, and 46 CFR 7.85 describe the areas of the coastal waters along the coast of Georgia that delineate the application of federal pilotage requirements. These same Boundary Lines shall encompass those waters upon which the Commissioners also require pilotage on those vessels subject to State pilotage laws and regulations. Nothing shall prevent the Board of Pilot Commissioners from extending these areas seaward of the federal Boundary Lines if necessary to assure that deep-draft vessels have appropriately licensed pilots on board while transiting offshore waters that otherwise may present a risk of grounding.

(3) The pilot station for the pilot vessels cruising offshore shall be in the approximate vicinity of the designated "sea buoy", or on waters up to two nautical miles seaward of the Boundary Lines.

(4) Every vessel subject to State pilotage shall be conducted and piloted by an appropriately licensed pilot whenever such vessel is underway on those pilotage areas designated in paragraph A above.

(5) Every pilot received on board a vessel at Brunswick subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioners, shall remain on board such vessel while in transit between the Pilot Station and its terminal or anchorage. The transit shall begin on inbound vessels when the pilot assumes the conn of the ship and shall end when the first line is passed to a pier, wharf or other waterfront facility, or until the vessel is anchored fast to the bottom. The transit shall begin on outbound vessels when the last line is passed, or when the anchor is aweigh, and shall end when the pilot is discharged by the vessel master, having arrived at that place on the bar where the adjoining depths of water are sufficient for safe navigation. The transit on shifting vessels shall be from the passing of the last line, or weighing of the anchor, until the first line is passed or the anchor is made fast to the bottom.

(6) Every vessel requiring a State pilot shall receive on board such pilot to direct the vessel movement for every inward and outward transit of the port. Every vessel proceeding inward in direction, whether from anchorage within the port to berths or terminals inshore of the anchorage, or from one berth or terminal to another berth or terminal upstream, is considered to be on an inward movement. Every vessel proceeding outward from any berth or terminal upstream to another berth or terminal downstream, or to an anchorage seaward of that berth or terminal, shall be considered to be on an outward movement. Every berth or terminal on the Turtle River shall be considered upstream of any berth or terminal on the East River. Every berth or terminal on the South Brunswick River shall be considered to be upstream of any berth or terminal on the Turtle or East Rivers. This requirement for a State pilot applies regardless of the source of vessel propulsion, be it self propelled or propelled by tugs. If the master or operator of any seagoing vessel requiring a State pilot shall refuse to receive on board a pilot, such circumstance shall be considered a "Hazardous Condition" pursuant to 33 CFR 160.203 and shall immediately be reported to the Coast Guard.

(7) No pilot licensed by the Commissioners shall knowingly pilot any vessel, the operation of which, in the opinion of such pilot, may introduce an unnecessary risk to the port, other vessels, or the marine environment.

(a) An "unnecessary risk" includes situations where any vessel is deemed by the pilot not to be in compliance with applicable federal Navigation Safety Regulations, or where the condition of any vessel's operation, in the opinion of the pilot, constitutes a "Hazardous Condition" as defined by federal regulations.

(b) An "unnecessary risk" may also include situations that may prevent or inhibit the safe movement of a vessel, including, but not limited to, instances wherein the wheelhouse or bridge is not properly manned by sufficient numbers of qualified crew members or, conversely, when the wheelhouse or bridge is encumbered by the presence of extraneous persons who are not members of the crew, pilots or apprentice pilots, owners, agents, operating managers or federal officials conducting official business authorized by law.

(c) Nothing in this subpart shall prevent a pilot from piloting any vessel, when in his or her opinion, the vessel's safety or the safety of the port would be further impaired or endangered by the pilot's refusal to provide pilotage.

(8) No pilot may depart any outbound vessel in pilot waters until that vessel has met or passed any other vessel also navigating on those pilot waters.

(9) The pilots may assign more than one pilot to any given vessel if, in their opinion, an additional pilot is necessary to assure adequate visibility or otherwise ensure the safe maneuvering of said vessel.

(10) A master or licensed operator of any vessel may relieve the State pilot on board under certain circumstances where the safety of the vessel is perceived by the master, or licensed operator, to be at risk, however;

(a) No master or licensed operator of any vessel, having relieved the State pilot on board, shall then serve as the pilot on such vessel when the pilot has refused to pilot the vessel pursuant to the conditions described in subparts 494-1-1-.24(7)(a) and 4-941-1-.24(7)(b).

(b) Whenever a pilot on a vessel has been relieved by a master, or licensed operator, of said vessel, or whenever a pilot refuses to pilot any vessel, such pilot shall immediately broadcast a SECURITE' voice message on VHF Channels 13 and 16 stating the name of the vessel, its present position, direction of movement and speed, and the fact that a properly licensed pilot is neither directing nor controlling the vessel's movement. Whenever a pilot on a vessel has been relieved by the vessel's master, or licensed operator, or whenever a pilot refuses to pilot any vessel, he shall remain aboard until his disembarkation can be safely effected. Under such circumstances, such pilot is not in the service of his or her license. If such a pilot believes he or she can be of value to the vessel master or operator, subsequent to the aforementioned relief or refusal, the pilot shall offer his or her services and recommendations to the master, or licensed operator, so as to mitigate risk or to provide the maximum safety under the conditions. Unless such a pilot broadcasts a second SECURITE' call on VHF Channels 13 and 16 that he or she has reassumed control, such pilot will not be considered in the service of his or her license.

Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 52-6-11, 52-6-33, 52-6-45.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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