Legal Definitions - half-pilotage

Half-pilotage refers to a reduced fee, typically half of the standard rate, charged to a vessel for pilotage services under specific circumstances. This fee is usually levied when a maritime pilot's full services are not utilized, are declined by the vessel's master, or cannot be fully rendered, yet the vessel is operating within a designated pilotage district where such services are generally required or offered.

It acknowledges the pilot's availability, the offer of service, or a partial rendering of services, even if the full guidance was not completed or accepted.

• Example 1: Refusal of Offered Services

  A large cargo ship, the "Ocean Voyager," approaches the entrance to a busy port, which is a compulsory pilotage area. A licensed pilot, Captain Elena, approaches the Ocean Voyager in her pilot boat and offers her services to guide the vessel through the congested channel to its berth. However, the ship's master, Captain Miller, mistakenly believes his vessel is exempt due to its recent dry-docking and declines Captain Elena's offer, stating he will navigate the channel himself. Despite Captain Miller's refusal, the port authority may still charge the Ocean Voyager a half-pilotage fee. This fee compensates the pilotage authority for Captain Elena's readiness and the offer of her specialized services within a compulsory zone, even though her full guidance was not accepted.

• Example 2: Partial Service Due to Unforeseen Circumstances

  The cruise liner "Star of the Seas" requires a pilot to navigate a particularly narrow and winding river section leading to its docking terminal. A pilot, Captain Ben, boards the vessel and begins guiding it. However, halfway through the critical section, a sudden, severe fog rolls in, making further movement unsafe. The port authority orders all vessel movements to cease immediately, and the Star of the Seas must drop anchor and wait for the fog to lift. Captain Ben remains on board for several hours until the fog clears and the ship can safely proceed, but his active guidance was interrupted. In this scenario, the "Star of the Seas" might be charged a half-pilotage fee, recognizing Captain Ben's initial service, his continued presence, and the readiness to resume, even though the full, uninterrupted pilotage service could not be completed as planned due to the weather.

• Example 3: Vessel Exempt from Compulsory Pilotage but Benefits from System

  A small coastal freighter, the "Seagull," is entering a harbor where vessels under a certain tonnage are typically exempt from compulsory pilotage. However, the pilotage authority maintains a system where pilots are always available and monitor all vessel movements for safety. As the "Seagull" approaches, a pilot boat hails it, offering advice on current traffic patterns and a temporary anchorage spot due to unexpected congestion. The "Seagull" master acknowledges the advice but does not take a pilot on board. Although not legally required to take a pilot, the "Seagull" still benefited from the pilotage system's presence and the pilot's active monitoring and communication. In some jurisdictions, a half-pilotage fee could be levied in such cases to contribute to the maintenance of the pilotage service and its general safety oversight, even when a full pilotage service isn't rendered to an exempt vessel.