Commandant
2100 Second Street, S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-6102
COMDTINST 16637.5
MARCH 4 1994
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16637.5
Subj: COORDINATION OF GREAT LAKES REGISTERED PILOTAGE ISSUES
1.
PURPOSE. This Commandant Instruction provides guidance on issues involving Great
Lakes registered pilots to achieve greater coordination among Coast Guard units that deal
with Great Lakes registered pilots.
2.
ACTION. Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District will ensure that this Instruction is
disseminated to all subordinate commands that deal with Great Lakes pilotage issues. The
Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, and all affected units of the Ninth Coast Guard District will
coordinate actions in accordance with this Instruction.
3.
DISCUSSION. The Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 requires foreign vessels and U.S.
vessels sailing on register to engage a Great Lakes registered pilot when traversing the
waters of the Great Lakes. Responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Great Lakes
pilotage statutes and regulations rests with the Director, Great Lakes Pilotage (G-MVP),
based on 46 U.S.C. Chapter 93 and 46 CFR Parts 401-404. This jurisdiction overlaps in
certain circumstances with the broader jurisdiction of the Commander, Ninth Coast Guard
District (m), and the Captains of the Port (COTPs) on the Great Lakes. The guidance
contained in enclosure (1) is