N.Y. Navigation Law § 88-a: Unlicensed piloting

§ 88-a. Unlicensed piloting. A person other than a lawfully

authorized Sandy Hook pilot or a person heretofore licensed as a Hell

Gate pilot who pilots or offers to pilot or tows or offers to tow any

boat or vessel (except barges, vessels under fifty-five tons burden, and

canal boats actually used in navigating the canals) through that part of

the East river, commonly called Hell Gate, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

But no pilotage shall be charged to any vessel under a coasting license,

on entering or departing from the port of New York by way of the East

river called Hell Gate unless such vessel actually employs a pilot, and

the making of such charge or demand without such employment shall be

deemed a misdemeanor.

This section does not apply to vessels owned or belonging to citizens

of the United States, and licensed and engaged in the coasting trade.