The attention of Shipowners and Masters of vessels subject to compulsory pilotage is drawn to the fact that it is obligatory for such vessels to be under pilotage within the limits of the Dublin Pilotage District. These limits are set out in the Third Schedule, part 2, of the Harbours Act 1996. They are repeated in the Schedule hereunder.
The Master of a ship subject to compulsory pilotage whose vessel is not under pilotage within the limits of the Dublin Pilotage District may render himself liable to prosecution under Section 60 of the Harbours Act 1996.
SCHEDULE
DUBLIN PILOTAGE DISTRICT.
The limits of the Dublin Pilotage District (hereinafter referred to as "the Pilotage District") shall be the waters of the River Liffey below Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge and so much of the sea westward of the sixth meridian as lies between the parallels of latitude passing through the Baily Lighthouse on the north and through Sorrento Point on the south, including all bays, creeks and harbours and all tidal docks within such area.
COMPULSARY PILOTAGE & EXEMPTED SHIPS
Under the current Bye-Laws (31st March 2005), the following are exempted ships:-
2 (1) Pilotage shall be compulsory for every ship (other than an Exempted Ship) while navigating in the Pilotage District for the purpose of entering, leaving or making use of any part of the Pilotage District, and every ship (Other than an Exempted Ship) while navigating in the Pilotage District for such purpose shall be either:
(a) under the pilotage of a Pilot, or
(b) under the pilotage of a Certified Officer who holds a current Pilotage Exemption Certificate in respect of that ship.
(2) The following classes of ships shall (subject to Bye-Law 2 (3)), be Exempted Ships:
(a) ships owned by the State;
(b) pleasure craft and sail training ships;
(c) fishing vessels not more than 70 metres in length;
(d) ships of not more than 70 metres in length;
(e) ships of not more than 95 metres in length on departing to sea;
(f) ships the property of or engaged by the Commissioners of Irish Lights (responsible for the care and maintenance of lighthouses in the State), while engaged in carrying out their duties;
(g) ships the property of or engaged by the Company;
(h) ships which are moving from one berth within the Port to another berth within the Port but subject to the prior approval of the Harbour Master;
(i) tugs, dredgers, hoppers, barges and other similar ships subject to the prior approval of the Harbour Master; and
(j) ships navigating within the pilotage district but outside the seaward limit of the fairway or Dun Laoghaire Harbour, subject to the prior approval of the Harbour Master.
(3) Notwithstanding Bye-Law 2(2) the following shall not be Exempted Ships:
(a) ships over 24 metres in length with a Passenger Certificate; and
(b) ships carrying hazardous cargoes in bulk i.e. in tanks which are an integral part of the ship’s structure or such ships which are not gas free.
(4) The Harbour Master may, in his absolute discretion, temporarily suspend Bye-Law 2(2) in whole or in part from time to time, and furthermore may in his absolute discretion require any Exempted Ship whilst entering, leaving or making use of the Pilotage District to be under the pilotage of a Pilot or Certified Officer.
(5) Such ships as are included in sub-paragraph 2(e) i.e. more than 70 metres but no more than 95 metres shall be liable for pilotage dues at 25% of the appropriate rate.
Captain David T. Dignam
Harbour Master.
1st January 2012