Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 March 1996. It was answered by Steve Norris (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 March 1996 on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Dept of Transport

Question: Which types of vessels are required to have a pilot on board when navigating in United Kingdom coastal waters.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which types of vessels are required to have a pilot on board when navigating in United Kingdom coastal waters.[20523] Mr. Norris: Pilotage is compulsory only in the waters of statutory harbour authorities. Section 7 of the Pilotage Act 1987 provides for such an authority to direct that pilotage shall be compulsory if it considers that, in the interests of safety, it should do so. A pilotage direction may apply to all vessels over 20 m in length or to all ships of specified descriptions, and may relate to part or all of the harbour. Section 8 provides for pilotage exemption certificates to be granted to suitably qualified masters and first mates. There are three harbours where these are not available by virtue of an order under section 8 (3)-- Aberdeen, Forth and Sullom Voe.

Secondary information