2023 Alaska Statutes › Title 8. Business and Professions › Chapter 62. Marine Pilots › Article 3. Miscellaneous Provisions. › Sec. 08.62.180. Exemptions.

(a) This chapter does not apply to
(1) vessels subject to federal pilot requirements under 46 U.S.C. 8502 except as provided in AS 08.62.185;
(2) fishing vessels, including fish processing and fish tender vessels, registered in the United States or in British Columbia, Canada;
(3) vessels propelled by machinery and not more than 65 feet in length over deck, except tugboats and towboats propelled by steam;
(4) vessels of United States registry of less than 300 gross tons and towboats of United States registry and vessels owned by the State of Alaska, engaged exclusively
(A) on the rivers of Alaska; or
(B) in the coastwise trade on the west or north coast of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, and including British Columbia, Yukon Territory, and Northwest Territories, Canada;
(5) vessels of Canada, built in Canada and manned by Canadian citizens, engaged in frequent trade between
(A) British Columbia and Southeastern Alaska on the inside water of Southeastern Alaska south of 59 degrees, 29 minutes North latitude, if reciprocal exemptions are granted by Canada to vessels owned by the State of Alaska and those of United States registry; or
(B) northern Alaska north of 68 degrees, 7 minutes North latitude and Yukon Territory or Northwest Territories;
(6) pleasure craft of United States registry;
(7) pleasure craft of foreign registry of 65 feet or less in overall length; and
(8) vessels of the Canadian Navy or Canadian Coast Guard that have a home port in British Columbia, Canada, while navigating the inside water of Southeastern Alaska.
(b) The operator of a pleasure craft of foreign registry of more than 65 feet overall length but less than 175 feet overall length may apply for an exemption from the pilotage requirement of this chapter. If an exemption is applied for and the fee prescribed under AS 08.62.140(b) is paid, the board may issue the exemption to the operator of the vessel. 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. The board shall approve or deny an application for the exemption within 10 working days after the application is received by the board. If the board does not approve or disapprove the application within 10 working days, the exemption is considered to be approved, and the board shall issue the exemption. The 10-day period for action by the board is suspended while the board is waiting for a response to a request by the board for additional information from the applicant. An exemption issued under this subsection may be revoked by the board if the vessel is not operated in a manner that is appropriate to protect human life, property, and the marine environment or if the vessel does not comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. The exemption must remain on the vessel while the vessel is in state water. An exemption issued under this subsection does not exempt a vessel from the requirement to employ a pilot licensed under this chapter while the vessel is in Wrangell Narrows or in the water between Chatham Strait and Sitka via Peril Strait.
(c) The operator of a pleasure craft of foreign registry of more than 65 feet overall length but not more than 125 feet overall length that has received an exemption under (b) of this section shall proceed upon initial entry into state water to the first port of call to receive navigational and safety information from an agent registered under AS 08.62.040(a)(3) who is employed by the operator of the vessel. The navigational and safety information provided by the agent must be approved by the marine pilot coordinator and annually reviewed, revised, and approved as appropriate by the board at its spring meeting.
(d) The operator of a pleasure craft of foreign registry of more than 125 feet overall length but less than 175 feet overall length that has received an exemption under (b) of this section shall employ a pilot licensed under this chapter from initial entry into compulsory pilotage water of the state to the first port of call. The marine pilot shall provide navigational and safety information relating to the pilotage region to the operator of the vessel.
(e) In (b) - (d) of this section,
(1) “for hire” means for consideration contributed as a condition of carriage on a vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or other person having an interest in the vessel;
(2) “pleasure craft” means a vessel that does not carry passengers or freight for hire.