See full version: Washington; Alaska State Pilotage Requirements
The exemption is valid for one year from the date on which the exemption is issued. The application for an exemption must be submitted to the board at least 30 days before the vessel enters the state. Exemption fees are $250 plus $50 for every foot over 65 feet (20m). Pilotage fees through Wrangell Narrows and Peril Straights will be several thousand additional dollars.
The Washington State Pilot Board has a regulation requiring all foreign flagged vessels carry a pilot or get an exemption. The exemption requires a fee of $300 for three months, or $500 for a year and is applied to all foreign cruising yachts except for Canadian yachts that regularly sail West Coast waters.
Application forms for the exemption can be submitted online and submitted via email. The form is available at http://www.pilotage.wa.gov/
Pleasure craft of 175ft and larger and foreign registry must have a pilot at all times. All foreign-flagged vessels for commercial use must employ a pilot, regardless of length and tonnage.
To read the complete language of the statute and the rules go to www.pilotage.wa.gov Link to the RCW (88.16.070) and the WAC (363-116-360) from the box at the right on the Home page. The WAC will show the fee schedule.
Alaskan Pilotage Requirements more
Navigation lights are also used to communicate with the other boats sharing the water. For example, the navigation lights can tell another boater, what size your vessel is, and in which direction you are heading. This information can be used by the boat caption to determine what the appropriate course of action would be as you approach each other.
By law, the navigation lights come in specific colors; white, red, and green. Even the arc of the illuminated light, the range of visibility, and the location is all specific to what type of vessel you are operating.
This information is crucial to understand if you ever find yourself trying to navigate the waters at night or while your visibility is limited. For example, if you are sailing towards another vessel, you will be able to tell if that vessel is heading towards you, or if it is heading away from you based on which side the green and red lights appear to you. [links]
Re: Is there a need for license to pilot a 50+ yacht more
but i think the threshold is at 60 - 65 ft. [links]
I'm almost sure this is a state to state thing as well. Here in CT you need a license to operate any boat or personal watercraft. There might be something in there for a very small boat, or possibly a non motor powered boat (row boat) but for anything larger you need a license. I believe after 65' you need a captains license as well.
your own boat, no. but you do need some boating experience before tackling something that size. also need several USCG courses, safe boating, navigation, etc. docking something that big can be a real task.
Learn what type of navigation lighting is required on boats.
Powerboats under 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length must have separate or combined red and green sidelights covering 112.5 degrees and visible for 1 nautical mile. The white masthead light must cover 225 degrees, be 1 meter above the sidelights and be visible for 2 nautical miles. The white stern light must cover 135 degrees and be visible for 2 nautical miles, or you can substitute one 360-degree all-around white light. For larger boats, the sidelights must be visible for 2 nautical miles and the masthead light for 3 nautical miles. here
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