ARTICLE 7. Duties of Pilots [1130. - 1139.]

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 7.
in effect

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1130. Section 1130.

(a) A majority of all of the pilots licensed by the board shall appoint one pilot to act as port agent to carry out the orders of the board and other applicable laws, and to otherwise administer the affairs of the pilots. The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the board. (b) The port agent shall be responsible for the general supervision and management of all matters related to the business and official duties of pilots licensed by the board. (c) The port agent shall immediately notify the executive director of the board of a suspected violation, navigational incident, misconduct, or other rules violation that is reported to him or her or to which he or she is a witness. The board shall adopt regulations for the manner and content of a notice provided pursuant to this section.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1132. Section 1132.

Every pilot in charge of a vessel arriving in Monterey Bay and the Bay of San Francisco, San Pablo, or Suisun, shall safely moor the vessel in place and position as directed by the master of the vessel, consistent with safe navigation and not contrary to law.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1133. Section 1133.

Every pilot in charge of a vessel leaving the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun shall pilot it from its point of departure to a point beyond the San Francisco bar. Every pilot in charge of a vessel leaving Monterey Bay shall pilot it from its point of departure to a point westward of the pilotage grounds.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1134. Section 1134.

When a pilot goes aboard a vessel, the pilot becomes a servant of the vessel and its owner and operator. Nothing in this division exempts the vessel or its owner or operator from liability to persons or property for damage or loss caused by the vessel or its operation on the ground that (1) the vessel was piloted by a pilot, or (2) the damage or loss was incurred as a result of the error, omission, fault, or neglect of a pilot.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1136. Section 1136.

A pilot licensed pursuant to this division shall do all of the following: (a) Take an oath of office in the manner prescribed by law. (b) Submit monthly to the board a verified account of all moneys or other compensation received by the pilot as a result of pilotage services, or by any other person for the pilot, or on the pilot’s account, on the forms furnished by the board.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1137. Section 1137.

(a) The account required pursuant to Section 1136 shall show all of the following: (1) The name of each vessel piloted. (2) The name of each vessel for which pilotage has been charged or collected. (3) The amount charged to or collected for each vessel. (4) Any rebates made and allowed and for what amounts. (5) The amount of the fees and surcharges not collected pursuant to Section 1193. (6) The depth of each vessel’s draft and its highest gross tonnage. (7) Whether the vessel was inward or outward bound. (b) The board shall record the accounts in full detail in a book prepared for that purpose. The account book is a public record.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1138. Section 1138.

(a) When cruising offshore or standing out to sea, pilots shall go to the vessel nearest to shore or in the most distress, or incur a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100). For each refusal by a pilot to board a vessel when required, a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be incurred. (b) A pilot may be suspended or expelled by the board for a violation of subdivision (a).

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1139. Section 1139.

(a) Every pilot boarding a vessel shall exhibit his commission or license as pilot when requested by the master of such vessel. (b) The board may suspend or revoke the commission or license of a pilot for refusal to exhibit such commission or license upon the proper request, and it may impose a liability of fifty dollars ($50) on the bond of such pilot.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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