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Simple English definitions for legal terms
pilot
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A quick definition of pilot:
A pilot is someone who controls a plane or a ship. There are two types of ship pilots: compulsory and voluntary. A compulsory pilot is required by law to guide a ship for a specific purpose, like piloting the ship into a harbor. If a compulsory pilot causes a collision, the ship's owner is not personally liable. A voluntary pilot is someone who controls a ship with the owner's permission. If a voluntary pilot causes a collision, the ship's owner is responsible for any damage.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A pilot is a person who is in control of a vessel or an airplane.
In maritime law, there are two types of pilots:
- Compulsory pilot: A ship pilot who is required by law to guide a ship for a specific purpose, such as piloting the ship into a harbor. The ship's owner is not personally liable for any damage caused by the compulsory pilot, but the ship is liable in rem (i.e., the ship itself can be held responsible).
- Voluntary pilot: A ship pilot who controls a ship with the permission of the vessel's owner. The vessel's owner is personally liable for any damage caused by the voluntary pilot.
For example, if a ship is entering a harbor and a compulsory pilot is guiding it, and the ship collides with another vessel, the ship's owner is not personally liable for the damage caused by the collision. However, the ship itself can be held responsible. On the other hand, if a ship owner hires a voluntary pilot to guide the ship and the ship collides with another vessel, the ship owner is personally liable for the damage caused by the collision.