Your vessel is over 10,000 tons. So it requires a licensed first class pilot ANYtime it moves. (Within pilot waters (( usually interpreted as inshore of the boundary line)). When it is engaged in foreign trade it will require a state pilot instead. The confusion stems from tugboaters who are allowed to "ACT"as pilots when moving barges between 1,600 tons and 9,999 tons. This is only legal when the tug operator has satisfied ‘recency’ requirements. Recency is 12 round trips, of which must be four in darkness over the route, with at least one round trip within the previous 5 years. But when a tug is moving a barge engaged in foreign trade state laws take precedence. But Acting As Pilots are only valid on towing vessels. None of the acting as pilots are qualified to pilot a self propelled vessel over 1,600 tons. None.
yes but what I’m thinking is if you indeed have the proper first class pilotage endorsement you can be your own pilot on a vessel over 1,600 tons…right? I only see situations in USC where they specify IN ADDITION to vessels crew.