ORS 776.405 License required; exemptions

Except as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection, a person may not pilot any vessel upon any of the pilotage grounds established under ORS 776.025 or 776.115 without being a licensee under this chapter or a trainee under the onboard supervision of a licensee under this chapter.

Except as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection, a person may not pilot any vessel in the Columbia River bar precautionary zone, either to enter or depart the Columbia River bar pilotage ground, except pursuant to instructions from a licensee under this chapter for the Columbia River bar pilotage ground, provided however that the master of a vessel transiting the Columbia River bar precautionary zone remains at all times in full command of the vessel and is responsible to take all reasonable steps to safely navigate the Columbia River bar precautionary zone.

Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection do not apply to:

The master of a vessel under fishery, recreational or coastwise endorsement provided under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121;

A vessel registered with the State Marine Board or a similar licensing agency of another state;

The master of a foreign registered fishing or recreational vessel, exempted by the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, of not more than 100 feet in length or 250 gross tons international; or

United States flag towing vessels under 200 gross tons domestic and their towed barges of 10,000 gross tons domestic or less, excluding tank vessels as defined by ORS 468B.300, that are engaged in the foreign trade between British Columbia and the Coos Bay bar pilotage ground established by ORS 776.025 (3), provided that the towing vessel is under the navigational control of a person holding the federal mariner license required for the towing vessel when operating under a coastwise endorsement.

A licensee under this chapter is at all times the servant of the vessel being piloted and its owners and operators.