| Yacht
Exemptions
CONTACT
Renda
Heimbigner, Marine Pilot Coordinator at 907-465-2548
or email renda_heimbigner@commerce.state.ak.us
VESSEL
AGENTS & PILOT BOAT SERVICES
North Pacific Maritime Agencies
email
operations@norpac1.com
or visit
their website at www.
yachtservicesofalaska.com
Vessel Agents will set up marine pilotage services
for you.
YACHT MOORAGE
For secure yacht moorage in Ketchikan,
please
call 907-225-5155 or visit www.doyonslanding.com
Alaska
Statute 08.62.180
Mandatory
State pilotage is required for pleasure craft 65 feet or larger and foreign registry.
A “pleasure craft” is a vessel that does not carry passengers or freight
for hire. Exemptions may be requested by foreign registered pleasure craft of
more than 65 feet length overall, but less than 175 feet length overall. Exemptions
are granted by the approval of the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots.
Penalties:
A master or owner of a vessel who fails to employ a licensed AK Marine Pilot
is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 for the first offense, and up to $30,000
for the second offense.
Application:
To apply for a pilotage exemption, the applicant must complete the attached
application form and submit with required documentation and applicable fee. To
be awarded an exemption, the operator of a pleasure craft of foreign registry
must employ an Alaska-registered Vessel Agent and the Agent be identified on the
exemption application.
If a pleasure craft of foreign registry of more than 125 feet overall length enters
compulsory pilotage waters without a pilot or a pilotage exemption, the operator
of the pleasure craft will not be granted a subsequent pilotage exemption until
the operator provides the State Marine Pilot Coordinator satisfactory documentation
detailing the pleasure craft’s entry into compulsory pilotage waters and
all subsequent voyages in violation of Alaska Law; and pays the appropriate charges
for pilotage services which should have been used. The
application fee is $250.00 plus $50.00 for each whole foot in length of the vessel
that exceeds 65 feet
length overall. Payment may be made by check, credit card
or money order. All credit card information
submitted will be destroyed upon
completion of the transaction. Applications
for exemption must be submitted at least 30 days before the vessel enters State
waters. The
application will be approved or denied within 10 working days from
the date of its receipt. The 10-working day period for response is suspended if
additional information is solicited from the applicant to complete or clarify
the application for exemption. Conditions
of Operation: Pilotage exemptions will be valid for one year from the date
on which the
exemption is issued. All exemptions granted will be confirmed
in writing. Vessels are not exempt from State
pilotage requirements until they
have obtained written confirmation of the exemption. A vessel must retain the
written exemption on board the vessel while in State waters.
A pilotage exemption will not exempt a vessel from the requirement to employ a
State-licensed pilot while the vessel is in Wrangell Narrows or in the waters
between Chatam Strait and Sitka via Peril Strait. The
operator of a foreign registry pleasure craft of more than 65 feet overall length
but not more than 125 feet overall length that has received a pilotage exemption
shall proceed upon its initial entry into State waters to the first port of call
to receive navigation and safety information from the registered vessel agent
employed by the vessel. The
operator of a foreign registry pleasure craft of more than 125 feet overall length
but less than 175 feet
overall length that has received a pilotage exemption
shall employ a State-licensed pilot from initial entry into Alaska’s compulsory
pilotage waters to the first port of call. The Marine Pilot shall provide navigation
and safety information relating to the pilotage region to the operator of the
vessel. A
pilotage exemption may be revoked if the vessel is not operated in a manner that
is appropriate to protect human life, property, and the marine environment, or
if the vessel does not comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Assistance:
Contact the Alaska Marine Pilot Coordinator at (907) 465-2548 phone, fax (907)
465-2974 or email renda_heimbigner@commerce.state.ak.us. | 
