South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 136 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- COMMISSIONERS OF PILOTAGE
Article 1 - LOWER COASTAL AREA
Section 136-003 - Definitions

A. "Apprentice" is defined to mean an individual approved and certified by the Commissioners who is undergoing an approved pilot training and qualification program.

B. "Bar" is defined to mean the entrance to any port at such place in the Atlantic Ocean where the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is authorized to commence harbor maintenance.

C. "Branch" is defined to mean a category of pilot license denoting the absence of restrictions, or the level of restriction, placed upon the holder of said license.

D. "Coast Guard" is defined to mean the United States Coast Guard.

E. "Commissioners" is defined to mean the Commissioners of Pilotage for the Lower Coastal area.

F. "Draft" is defined to mean the deepest vertical distance required by any vessel to float measured from the surface of the water to a depth equal to the deepest portion of a vessel's hull or appurtenances.

G. "Examiner" is defined to mean a member of a Board of Examiners convened by the Commissioners to examine apprentices for issuance of pilot licenses, and to examine pilots holding restricted pilot licenses for the next higher license.

H. "Federal Pilot" is defined to mean any person licensed under the provisions of 46 USC 7101 - 7114, and entitled to serve under the authority of 46 USC 8502.

I. "Foreign Flag" is defined to mean a vessel registered in a country other than the United States.

J. "Full Branch" is defined to mean a license with no restrictions.

K. "Gross Tons" is defined to mean the gross registered tonnage of any vessel as measured under the 1969 International Tonnage Convention.

L. "Harbor" is defined to mean the waterways inshore of the bar, within a port, on which commerce may be carried.

M. "License" is defined to mean a document issued by the Commissioners to a pilot authorizing that individual to serve as a State pilot on board such vessels requiring same.

N. "Pilot" is defined to mean an individual licensed by the Commissioners as a pilot for the waters defined by 46CFR 7.65, 46 CFR 7.70 and 46 CFR 7.75.

O. "Pilot Waters" is defined to mean those waters of the bar and within the harbor on which pilots are required.

P. "Port" is defined to mean the geographic area, defined by political boundaries, surrounding and including the harbor and bar.

Q. "Public Vessel" is defined to mean a vessel meeting the definition of contained in 46 USC 2101(24).

R. "Qualified Docking Master" is defined to mean a ship docking specialist certified as such by the Charleston Docking Pilots or the Charleston Docking Masters.

S. "Seagoing Vessel" is defined to mean any vessel, or combination of tug and tows, that measure 200 or more gross tons, and/or draw 8 or more feet.

T. "Short Branch" is defined to mean a pilot license that is restricted to service on vessels of certain size and draft limitations.

U. "State Pilot" is defined to mean a pilot licensed by the Commissioners.

V. "Vessel" is defined to mean, generally, every contrivance of watercraft, including craft self propelled by machinery and/or sail, and non-self propelled craft being towed or pushed by another craft.