ARTICLE 8. State Certified Pilotage [1140. - 1146.]

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 8.

in effect

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1140. Section 1140.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for a unified system of state regulated pilotage for Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun. (b) The Legislature finds and declares that unified pilotage will be beneficial to the safety of people, vessels, and property using those bays and tributaries. (c) The Legislature further finds and declares that unified systems of regulated pilotage are common to the ports of the world and are most familiar to, and best able to serve, both foreign and domestic vessels.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1141. Section 1141.

(a) Each pilot license shall be valid for a period of one year and shall be renewed upon application and successful completion of the physical examination required by Section 1176. (b) A pilot license shall not be renewed if the pilot possessing the license does not actively pilot vessels for any consecutive period of one year, unless the board determines the pilot is qualified and makes one of the following findings: (1) The pilot has presented satisfactory proof of medical disability during that period. (2) The board has granted the pilot a leave of absence without pay during that period. (3) The pilot has been serving as port agent under Section 1130. (c) A pilot licensee shall at all times hold an active and proper license to pilot vessels on the waters on which the pilot operates. (d) The board may revoke or suspend the license of any pilot who does not use proper equipment maintained exclusively for pilotage or who operates on territorial waters not described in the license. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the use of a pilot boat in order to provide pilotage services for Monterey Bay.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1144. Section 1144.

Any continuing education program adopted by the board shall regularly inform pilots of the hazards of fatigue and of effective strategies to prevent fatigue while on duty.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1146. Section 1146.

A pilot shall refuse a pilotage assignment if he or she is physically or mentally fatigued and has a reasonable belief that the assignment cannot be carried out in a competent and safe manner.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026