Commentary on Sections Pilotage Section 2: Pilotage exemption certificates: grant
13.Section 2 amends the Pilotage Act 1987 to remove the restriction whereby only the master or first mate of a ship may hold a pilotage exemption certificate. Any bona fide deck officer of a ship, including its master or first mate, may hold one provided the relevant competent harbour authority is satisfied that that person has the skill, experience and local knowledge, and sufficient knowledge of English for safety purposes, to be capable of piloting one or more specified ships within its harbour.