by Old Sailor » October 17, 2020, 8:35 am
There is a loop hole of major proportions in regard to what type of vessels are required to have a Pilot on board. Tugs are not require to have licensed Pilots because of their reduced Gross Tonnage. So tugs only need two licensed Masters of appropriate Gross Tonnage (if operating over 12 hours in a day}for the tug operated. If you tow or push a barge of any size, you don't have to have a Pilot. The exception is the Presque Isle because they are not capable of towing outside of the notch. Some companies, like Interlake, require over time that the Captain and Mates write for Pilotage. Without getting into the Politics, the operators of ATBs are never physically required to prove that these large self unloading barges can safely operate outside of of the notch on a towline in all weathers, though the barges are rigged with a towline from bow to stern.
In my one experience on a ATB observing, The Captain was from Louisiana, and the Open waters Mate did not show any experience upon the waters he/she was serving.
With the Straits being designed Pilotage Waters only concerns self propelled vessels required by the Gross Tonnage.
There is a loop hole of major proportions in regard to what type of vessels are required to have a Pilot on board. Tugs are not require to have licensed Pilots because of their reduced Gross Tonnage. So tugs only need two licensed Masters of appropriate Gross Tonnage (if operating over 12 hours in a day}for the tug operated. If you tow or push a barge of any size, you don't have to have a Pilot. The exception is the Presque Isle because they are not capable of towing outside of the notch. Some companies, like Interlake, require over time that the Captain and Mates write for Pilotage. Without getting into the Politics, the operators of ATBs are never physically required to prove that these large self unloading barges can safely operate outside of of the notch on a towline in all weathers, though the barges are rigged with a towline from bow to stern.
In my one experience on a ATB observing, The Captain was from Louisiana, and the Open waters Mate did not show any experience upon the waters he/she was serving.
With the Straits being designed Pilotage Waters only concerns self propelled vessels required by the Gross Tonnage.