Sec. 15-8. Power to station vessels. Penalty for resisting. Each harbor master
may station all vessels riding at anchor in the harbor and navigable waterways under
his care, and all vessels or obstructions so moored or anchored that, by the action of
wind or tide, they may be carried into such harbor and navigable waterways while so
moored or anchored, and he may remove, from time to time, such vessels within such
harbor and navigable waterways, or such vessels or obstructions so moored or anchored,
as are not employed in receiving or discharging their cargoes, to make room for the
passage of other vessels up or down such harbor and navigable waterways. He shall be the
sole judge of whether any vessel so at anchor is so in the harbor or navigable waterways as
to obstruct or hinder the passage of any other vessel, or whether such vessel or obstruction
is so moored or anchored that it may, by the action of the wind or tide, obstruct or hinder
the passage of any other vessel within such harbor or navigable waterways; and may
determine how far within such harbor, and in what instances, masters or others having
charge of vessels at anchor within such harbor or navigable waterways shall remove
the same; and, upon the application of the owner or lessee of any wharf, dock or pier
in such harbor or navigable waterways, shall station any vessel lying at or adjacent to
such wharf, dock or pier, or remove it therefrom to make room for the dockage or
passage of any other vessel, when, in the judgment of such harbor master, the interest
and convenience of commerce or navigation or public access require; and may exercise
all the powers and duties with reference to such vessels which he might exercise with
reference to vessels at anchor in such harbor and navigable waterways. Any person who
obstructs, resists or wilfully refuses to obey the order of any harbor master or deputy
harbor master in the execution of the duties of his office shall forfeit two hundred fifty
dollars, to be recovered, with costs, in the name of such harbor master or deputy harbor
master, in which action such vessel may be attached as in other actions; and all forfeitures, after deducting the necessary expenses of enforcing the same, to be determined
by the court rendering judgment therefor, when collected, shall be paid to the General
Fund.
(1945, S.A. 95; 1949 Rev., S. 4749; 1969, P.A. 760, S. 1; P.A. 77-71, S. 1, 3.)
History: 1969 act substituted "navigable waters" for "channel" and required forfeitures to be paid into general fund
rather than to the Yale-New Haven Hospital; P.A. 77-71 substituted "harbor and navigable waterways" for "navigable
waters" or "harbor", added reference to interest of public access and increased forfeit from fifty to two hundred fifty dollars.
Sec. 15-8a. "Harbor", "navigable waters" and "navigable waterways", defined. For the purposes of section 15-8:
(a) "Harbor" means a place on navigable waters where water-borne commercial or
recreational traffic enters for the purpose of anchorage or docking or the unloading or
receiving of cargo, supplies, equipment, fuel or passengers;
(b) "Navigable waters" means waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the
tide shoreward to their mean high-water mark;
(c) "Navigable waterways" means waters which are physically capable of supporting water-borne traffic, and subject to the ebb and flow of the tide.
(P.A. 77-71, S. 2, 3.)
Sec. 15-9. Vessels may be removed. Procedures. Notice. Regulations. Penalty.
(a) When the master or owner of any vessel lying within the navigable waters of this
state, or the person having the same in charge, wilfully neglects or refuses to obey the
order of any harbor master performing his duties under the provisions of this chapter,
such harbor master may cause such vessel to be removed at the expense of the owner.
Any such master, owner or person in violation of this section shall be deemed to have
committed an infraction and shall be fined eighty-five dollars.
(b) A harbor master may notify any officer attached to an organized police department or any state police officer that a master or owner of a vessel is in violation of the
provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Any such officer may remove and take such
vessel into custody and shall give written notice by certified mail to the owner or master
of such vessel, if known, which notice shall state (1) that the vessel has been taken into
custody and stored, (2) the location of storage of the vessel, (3) that such vessel may be
sold after fifteen days if the market value of such vessel does not exceed five hundred
dollars or after ninety days if the value of such vessel exceeds five hundred dollars, and
(4) that the owner has a right to contest the validity of such taking by application, on a
form prescribed by the Commissioner of Transportation, to the hearing officer named
in such notice within ten days from the date of such notice. Such application forms shall
be made readily available to the public at all offices of the Department of Transportation
and at all state and local police departments.
(c) The chief executive officer of each town may appoint a suitable person, who
shall not be a member of any state or local police department, to be a hearing officer
to hear applications to determine whether or not the taking was authorized under the
provisions of this section. Two or more towns may join in appointing such officer;
provided any such hearing shall be held at a location which is as near to the town where
such vessel was located as is reasonable and practicable. The commissioner shall establish by regulation the qualifications necessary for hearing officers and procedures for
the holding of such hearings. If it is determined at such hearing that the owner or master
was in violation of subsection (a) of this section, the owner or master of such vessel
shall be liable for any expenses incurred as a result of such removal, or the costs and
expenses incident to such removal, including legal expenses and court costs incurred
in such recovery. If it is determined at such hearing that the owner or master was not
in violation of subsection (a) of this section, the owner or master of such vessel shall
not be liable for any expenses incurred as a result of such removal or for the costs and
expenses incident to such removal, including legal expenses and court costs incurred
in such recovery. Any person aggrieved by the decision of such hearing officer may,
within fifteen days of the notice of such decision, appeal to the superior court for the
judicial district wherein such hearing was held.
(d) The state or local police department which has custody of the removed vessel
shall have the power to sell such vessel at public auction in accordance with the provisions of this section. The state or local police department shall apply the avails of such
sale toward the payment of its charges, any storage charges and the payment of any debt
or obligation incurred by the officer who placed the same in storage. Such sale shall be
advertised in a newspaper published or having a circulation in the town where such
vessel is stored or other place is located three times, commencing at least five days
before such sale; and, if the last place of abode of the owner of such vessel is known to
or may be ascertained by the state or local police by the exercise of reasonable diligence,
notice of the time and place of sale shall be given him by mailing such notice to him in
a registered or certified letter, postage paid, at such last usual place of abode, at least
five days before the time of sale. The state or local police department shall report the
sales price, storing and towing charges, if any; buyer's name and address; identification
of the vessel and such other information as may be required in regulations which shall
be adopted by the Commissioner of Transportation in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 54, to the commissioner within fifteen days after the sale of the vessel. The
proceeds of such sale, after deducting the amount due for any storage and all expenses
connected with such sale, including the expenses of the officer who placed such vessel
in storage, shall be paid to the owner of such vessel or his legal representatives, if claimed
by him or them at any time within one year from the date of such sale. If such balance
is not claimed within said period, it shall escheat to the municipality from which the
vessel was removed. If the expenses incurred by the municipality for such removal and
towing and the sale of such vessel and any fines exceed the proceeds of such sale, the
owner of the vessel shall be liable for such excess amount. A vessel may not be sold in
accordance with the provisions of this section until: (1) The expiration of the time period
under subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section and (2) a final decision has been
rendered in connection with an application filed pursuant to subdivision (4) of subdivision (b) of this section.
(e) The Commissioner of Transportation shall adopt regulations in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4751; P.A. 92-244.)
History: P.A. 92-244 amended Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) to (e), inclusive, re procedure and notice for the
removal of vessels and re adoption of regulations.
Sec. 15-10. Penalty for neglect of duty. When any harbor master neglects, upon
application of any person engaged in the navigation of the harbor under his charge, to
remove or cause to be removed any vessel riding at anchor therein and obstructing its
channel, he shall pay to such person twenty dollars, with costs, to be recovered in an
action on his official bond or on this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4752.)
Sec. 15-11. Channels from wharves. Section 15-11 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4755; P.A. 75-218, S. 1, 2.)
Sec. 15-11a. (Formerly Sec. 15-31). Disposal of old vessels and floating structures. (a) Any owner, agent or operator of any vessel, scow, lighter or similar floating
structure lying within the limits of any river or harbor who causes or permits the same
to be broken or altered to such an extent that it will not keep afloat with ordinary care,
or grounds such craft or leaves any part thereof in any river or harbor, shall be fined not
more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both and the
Commissioner of Transportation may cause such vessel, scow, lighter or similar floating
structure to be removed at the expense of such owner, agent or operator and may recover
the expense of such removal, together with the costs and expenses incident to such
removal, including legal expenses and court costs incurred in such recovery, from the
owner, agent or operator of such vessel in an action founded upon this section. After
consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may consider any such sunken or grounded vessel, scow, lighter or
similar structure to be an encroachment subject to the provisions of sections 22a-359
to 22a-363, inclusive.
(b) The Commissioner of Transportation may require the owner, agent or operator
to furnish a performance bond in an amount sufficient to cover the estimated costs of
removal as determined by the commissioner.
(1949 Rev., S. 4779; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 160; P.A. 75-288, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-277; P.A. 82-191, S. 1; P.A. 98-182, S. 15, 22.)
History: 1969 act replaced commissioners of steamship terminals with commissioner of transportation; P.A. 75-288
included agents and operators in provisions; P.A. 76-277 added provisions re removal of vessels, scows, lighters etc. and
added Subsec. (b) re permit fees and performance bonds; Sec. 15-31 transferred to Sec. 15-11a in 1979; P.A. 82-191
amended Subsec. (a) to authorize the commissioner of environmental protection, upon consultation with the commissioner
of transportation, to consider vessels or similar floating structures to be an encroachment requiring a permit; P.A. 98-182
deleted the requirement for an owner, agent or operator to obtain a permit, effective July 1, 1998.
Sec. 15-12. Obstructions upon lands bordering navigable waters. The selectmen of any town bordering upon navigable waters shall cause to be removed all obstructions and structures from the shores, beaches or other land in such town, adjacent to
such waters, to which shores, beaches or other land the public has the right of access or
which the public has been accustomed to use, occupy or enjoy, unless such obstruction
or structure has been erected or maintained by, or by the express or implied permission
of, the person having title to the land on which it has been so erected or maintained or
having a legal right to erect and maintain it thereon; and such selectmen may, in the
name of the town, have equitable relief by way of injunction against any person who,
without legal right, interferes with the use and enjoyment of such shores, beaches and
lands by the public or attempts to exercise any exclusive possession or use of any part
thereof.
(1949 Rev., S. 4756.)
Sec. 15-13. Pilots; qualifications; license fee; bond; suspension or revocation
of license; inactive status; limited licenses; regulations. (a) The Commissioner of
Transportation shall license as many residents of this state and any other state as said
commissioner deems necessary and finds qualified to act as pilots for one year in any
of the ports and waters of this state including the Connecticut waters of Long Island
Sound. A license shall be denied to any person holding a license or authority under the
laws of any other state which does not issue a license or authority to pilots licensed by
the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall be so licensed unless he possesses a federal masters license and has procured
a federal first class pilot's license of unlimited tonnage issued by the United States Coast
Guard covering the sections of the waters of this state for which application is being
made to said commissioner. Each applicant for a license to act as a pilot for any port or
waterway of the state including the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound shall
document that he has made the following passages on ocean-going vessels of not less
than four thousand gross tons, through the port or waterway for which application is
being made during the thirty-six months immediately preceding his application: (1)
Twelve round trips on American vessels under enrollment as pilot of record, on which
the applicant is not a crew member; or (2) twenty-four round trips as observing pilot on
foreign or registered vessels during which the applicant does the piloting work under
the supervision and authority of a pilot licensed by this state, provided the applicant
possesses a first class pilot's license issued by the United States Coast Guard for the
port or waterway; or (3) any combination of the above requirements for trips, substituting
two observer trips for each trip as pilot of record.
(b) Each pilot shall, upon the granting of his license, pay a fee of thirty dollars to
said commissioner and shall give a bond of one thousand dollars to the State Treasurer
and his successors in office, with surety, to the acceptance of the commissioner, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties as a pilot, upon which bond suit may
be brought in the name of said Treasurer for the benefit of any person who may suffer
loss or damage, by reason of the ignorance, neglect or misconduct of such pilot in the
discharge of his duties. The commissioner shall increase such fee by fifty per cent July
1, 1985, by an additional fifty per cent effective July 1, 1989, by an additional twenty-five per cent effective July 1, 1991, and by an additional twenty-five per cent effective
July 1, 1993.
(c) Each license shall expire on the last day of December following its issuance and
may be renewed upon application and payment of the fee required by subsection (b) of
this section, renewal of the bond required under subsection (b) and proof of current
federal licensure as required in subsection (a).
(d) The Commissioner of Transportation shall keep a record of each license and, if
requested, shall furnish a certificate of such license.
(e) Said commissioner may suspend or revoke any pilot's license for (1) incompetence, (2) neglect of duty, (3) misconduct or (4) using a vessel owned or operated by a
person who has not obtained a certificate of compliance under the provisions of section
15-15e for the purpose of embarking or disembarking another vessel in open and unprotected waters. Any person aggrieved by the action of said commissioner under the provisions of this subsection may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of
section 4-183.
(f) Any pilot who has been away from duty for a period of not less than six months,
or who has not completed a passage through any port or waterway for which he is
licensed during such period, shall be placed on inactive status. Said pilot shall complete
at least one round trip over the port or waterway for which he is licensed before resuming
his duties as a pilot. The refresher passages shall be made in the company of an active
pilot licensed by the state. Said pilot, before resuming his pilotage duties, shall submit
to the commissioner a list of completed refresher passages, including the name, gross
tons and draft of each vessel involved, a description and date of each passage and the
name of the attending pilot.
(g) The commissioner may issue limited licenses pursuant to this section. Such
licenses may be limited according to a pilot's qualifications for operating a vessel, which
shall include, but not be limited to, the type, size, gross tonnage or draft of a vessel.
(h) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4757; 1955, S. 2380d; 1967, P.A. 258; 1969, P.A. 815, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 797, S. 1; 872, S. 370; 1972,
P.A. 48, S. 1; P.A. 73-405, S. 1; P.A. 76-436, S. 350, 681; P.A. 77-337, S. 2; 77-603, S. 30, 125; P.A. 85-413, S. 5, 8; P.A.
87-147; P.A. 90-274, S. 1; P.A. 92-178, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-307, S. 33, 34; P.A. 94-188, S. 18, 30; P.A. 97-304, S. 19.)
History: 1967 act raised license fee in Subsec. (c) from fifteen to thirty dollars; 1969 act transferred duties of court and/
or judge to boating commission, deleted provision re payment of entry fee in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (e) re suspension
or revocation of license; 1971 acts amended Subsec. (a) to make licenses valid for one year rather than three years, to add
reference to ports and to delete provision re notice of intention to apply for license and filing of qualifications, amended
Subsec. (b) to include references to "port", "pilot" and "undock", inserted new Subsec. (d) re expiration and renewal of
licenses and relettered former Subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f) and substituted commissioner of environmental protection
for boating commission; 1972 act deleted Subsec. (b) re qualifications and relettered remaining subsections accordingly;
P.A. 73-405 replaced commissioner of environmental protection with commissioner of transportation; P.A. 76-436 replaced
court of common pleas with superior court and added reference to judicial districts in Subsec. (e), effective July 1, 1978;
P.A. 77-337 substituted "shall" for "may" and included residents of other states in Subsec. (a) and added provision re license
to operate canal boat, barge or tug boat; P.A. 77-603 replaced previous appeal provision in Subsec. (e) with requirement that
appeals to be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 85-413 inserted fee increases effective on and after July 1, 1985;
P.A. 87-147 specifically required an applicant for a pilot's license to procure a federal first class pilot's license of unlimited
tonnage issued by the United States Coast Guard, required documentation of a minimum number of passages and added
Subsec. (f), providing for inactive status; P.A. 90-274 added provision in Subsec. (a) requiring pilots to possess a federal
masters license and clarified that the waters of the state include the waters of Long Island Sound, increased amount of
bond in Subsec. (b) from five hundred to one thousand dollars, added provision in Subsec. (f) that an inactive pilot must
complete refresher passages, and added new Subsec. (g) allowing the commissioner to issue limited pilot licenses and a
new Subsec. (h) requiring the commissioner to adopt regulations; P.A. 92-178 amended Subsec. (a) re reciprocity with
other states concerning the issuance of pilot's licenses, effective October 1, 1993; P.A. 93-307 changed effective date of
Sec. 2 of P.A. 92-78 from October 1, 1993, to October 1, 1994, effective June 29, 1993; P.A. 94-188 changed effective
date of Sec. 2 of P.A. 92-178 from October 1, 1994, to October 1, 1995; P.A. 97-304 amended Subsec. (e) to add Subdiv.
designators before the grounds for suspension or revocation of license and added new ground in Subdiv. (4) for using a
vessel owned or operated by a person who has not obtained a certificate of compliance under provisions of Sec. 15-15e
for purpose of embarking or disembarking another vessel in open and unprotected waters.
Secs. 15-13a and 15-13b. Validity of previously issued pilot's license; transfer
of records. Licenses issued prior to January 1, 1972. Sections 15-13a and 15-13b are
repealed, effective October 1, 2002.
(1969, P.A. 815, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 797, S. 6; P.A. 76-435, S. 36, 82; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
Sec. 15-13c. Connecticut Pilot Commission. Members. Appointments. Duties.
(a) There is created within the Department of Transportation, for administrative purposes
only, the Connecticut Pilot Commission to advise the Commissioner of Transportation
on matters relating to the licensure of pilots, the safe conduct of vessels and the protection
of the ports and waters of the state, including the waters of Long Island Sound.
(b) The commission shall consist of seven members appointed as follows: The Governor shall appoint one member representing a maritime-related industry, which industry
shall not include a recreational industry; the president pro tempore of the Senate shall
appoint one member representing the public with an interest in the environment; the
majority leader of the Senate shall appoint one member representing the public with an
interest in the environment; the minority leader of the Senate shall appoint one member
who shall be a retired ship's master or captain; the speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member representing a maritime-related industry, which industry
shall not include a recreational industry; the majority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member representing a maritime-related industry, which industry
shall not include a recreational industry; the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member with an expertise in the area of admiralty law. Each
member shall be a resident of the state, provided no member shall be an active licensed
pilot. Members shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties.
(c) On or before July 1, 1992, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b)
of this section (1) the Governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the
majority leader of the Senate shall each appoint one member who shall serve until July
1, 1996; (2) the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the House
of Representatives and the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall each
appoint one member who shall serve until July 1, 1995; and (3) the minority leader of
the Senate shall appoint one member who shall serve until July 1, 1994. Thereafter,
members shall serve for a term of four years and any vacancies on the commission shall
be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(d) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission who shall not
be an employee of the Department of Transportation. The commission shall elect a vice-chairperson and any other officers that it deems necessary from among its membership.
The powers of the commission shall be vested in and exercised by not less than three
members serving on the commission. This number shall constitute a quorum and the
affirmative vote of three members present at a meeting of the commission shall be
necessary for any action taken by the commission.
(e) The commission shall advise the commissioner on the following matters: (1)
The required qualifications of pilots for eligibility for licensure, including background,
training, length of service and apprenticeship; (2) examination requirements for obtaining a pilot's or other type of operating license; (3) the appropriate number of state-licensed pilots necessary for the safe, efficient and proper operations in the ports and
waters of the state, including the waters of Long Island Sound; (4) the establishment of
fair and reasonable rates of pilotage, pursuant to section 15-14, including establishment
of a hearing process for the setting of fair and reasonable rates of pilotage and licensure
fees; (5) the policy of the state on the establishment of a rotation system for the assignment of pilots; (6) the policy of the state on the issuance of reciprocal licenses to pilots
licensed in other states; (7) the enhancement of safety and protection of the marine
environment during the operation of vessels and the prevention of oil spills and other
marine incidents; (8) the proper equipment required on a vessel and the operation of
vessels used by pilots for embarkation and disembarkation; (9) the designation of pilot
boarding stations; (10) the proper safety equipment provided by vessels to enable pilots
to safely board vessels; (11) the state's policy relative to matters of interstate pilotage;
and (12) any other matter requested by the commissioner.
(f) The commission shall, at the request of the commissioner: (1) Assist in the preparation of examinations for pilot licensure and other operating certificates; (2) evaluate
the examination results of applicants for a pilot license and make appropriate recommendations concerning such applicants' qualifications; (3) assist in the review and monitoring of the performance of pilots; (4) review applications for reciprocal licensure and
make appropriate recommendations concerning such pilot's qualifications; (5) recommend the duties of pilots for the reporting of faulty pilot boarding and disembarkation
systems and of violations of any state laws; (6) review and investigate any marine incident or casualty and conduct hearings to determine the causes of any such incident; (7)
make recommendations on disciplinary measures, including such measurers as letters
of caution, admonition or reprimand and licensure suspension or forfeiture, including
disciplinary matters relative to alcohol or drug abuse; (8) retain an independent investigator to compile a comprehensive factual record of any marine incident or casualty; (9)
assist in the review of complaints filed with the commissioner; and (10) assist in the
preparation of any report or matter relative to pilotage.
(P.A. 92-178, S. 1, 3; P.A. 94-188, S. 18, 30.)
History: P.A. 94-188 revised effective date of P.A. 92-178 but without affecting this section.
See Sec. 4-38f for definition of "administrative purposes only".
Sec. 15-14. Rates of pilotage. The Commissioner of Transportation shall establish
the rates of pilotage for all vessels which use a licensed pilot in the ports and waters of
this state including the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound.
(1949 Rev., S. 4758; 1969, P.A. 815, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 797, S. 3; 872, S. 370; P.A. 73-405, S. 2; P.A. 84-254, S. 57, 62;
P.A. 85-413, S. 6, 8; P.A. 90-274, S. 2.)
History: 1969 act replaced superior court with boating commission and deleted provisions specifically applicable to
Middlesex and New Haven superior courts; 1971 acts clarified provisions and replaced boating commission with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 73-405 replaced commissioner of environmental protection with commissioner
of transportation; P.A. 84-254 increased the rates of pilotage, effective July 1, 1984, by 50% on July 1, 1986, by an additional
50% on July 1, 1989, by an additional 25% on July 1, 1991 and by an additional 25% on July 1, 1993; P.A. 85-413 removed
language concerning rate increases inserted in 1984; P.A. 90-274 clarified that the waters of the state include the waters
of Long Island Sound.
Sec. 15-15. Vessels requiring pilots. (a) Each foreign and American vessel under
register, entering or departing from any port in this state and each vessel transiting the
Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound shall take a pilot who is licensed under the
provisions of section 15-13, or licensed under the laws of any state having concurrent
jurisdiction over Long Island Sound. Whenever the services of such a pilot are refused,
the master, the owner or the consignee shall pay pilotage as if such pilot had actually
been employed. The pilotage authorized to be collected whenever a pilot shall be refused
by a vessel may be sued for and recovered in the name of the pilot tendering such service.
Such pilotage when recovered, shall belong to and may be retained by such pilot for his
own use and benefit.
(b) No person not licensed as a pilot under the provisions of section 15-13 or of the
laws of any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over Long Island Sound shall
pilot, or offer to pilot any foreign vessel, or any American vessel sailing under register,
to or from any port in this state, including any such vessels transiting the Connecticut
waters of Long Island Sound. No master or person on board any tug or towboat shall
tow such a vessel to or from any port in this state including any such vessels transiting
the Connecticut waters of Long Island Sound, unless such vessel has on board a pilot
licensed under the provisions of section 15-13 or licensed under the laws of any other
state having concurrent jurisdiction over Long Island Sound.
(c) Any person or any officer or agent of any firm or corporation who violates any
provision of this section shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than
one thousand dollars, or be imprisoned not more than sixty days, or be both fined and
imprisoned.
(1949 Rev., S. 4759; 1953, S. 2381d; 1971, P.A. 797, S. 2; P.A. 77-337, S. 1; P.A. 90-274, S. 3.)
History: 1971 act amended Subsec. (a) to delete phrase limiting exemption for vessel engaged in coastal trade to those
"coming by way of New York"; P.A. 77-337 replaced "vessels engaged in the coastal trade, fishing smacks, vessels engaged
in the oyster trade, canal boats, barges and tug boats" with "vessels engaged in fishing, oyster and commercial recreational
trade" and increased minimum fine from two hundred fifty to five hundred dollars and maximum fine from five hundred
to one thousand dollars in Subsec. (c); P.A. 90-274 in Subsec. (a) deleted language relating to inward and outward vessels
and added language relating to each foreign and American vessel, added provision that the section applies to vessels
transiting the waters of Long Island Sound, deleted language exempting fishing, oyster and commercial recreational trade
vessels from the section and made various technical changes, in Subsec. (b) allowed pilots to be licensed by a state with
concurrent jurisdiction over the waters of Long Island Sound and made various technical changes.
Sec. 15-15a. Regulations. The Commissioner of Transportation shall promulgate
such regulations respecting the conduct and duties of licensed pilots and the piloting,
docking and undocking of vessels, as he deems necessary for the protection of property,
public safety and the effective administration of sections 15-13, 15-14, 15-15 and 15-15b.
(1971, P.A. 797, S. 4; 872, S. 370; P.A. 73-405, S. 3; P.A. 90-274, S. 5.)
History: Later 1971 act replaced boating commission with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 73-405
replaced commissioner of environmental protection with commissioner of transportation; P.A. 90-274 added reference to
Sec. 15-15 to the provisions of the section.
See chapter 54 re uniform administrative procedure.
Sec. 15-15b. Reports by pilot. Once every three months, each licensed pilot shall
render to the Commissioner of Transportation an accurate account of all vessels piloted
by him. Any pilot who makes a false return shall be subject to suspension or revocation
of his license as provided in section 15-13.
(1971, P.A. 797, S. 5; 872, S. 370; P.A. 73-405, S. 4.)
History: Later 1971 act replaced boating commission with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 73-405
replaced commissioner of environmental protection with commissioner of transportation.
Sec. 15-15c. Exemption from pilot requirement. The provisions of this chapter
shall not apply to (1) vessels navigating under a certificate of enrollment under the
control of a federally licensed pilot, (2) American vessels engaged in fishing, or (3)
vessels otherwise exempt by the laws of the United States.
(P.A. 90-274, S. 4.)
Sec. 15-15d. Pilotage concurrent with New York. Rotation system for assignment of pilots. (a) Pilotage on Long Island Sound shall be concurrent with the state of
New York.
(b) The Commissioner of Transportation may execute an agreement with the pilot
commission of any other state for the establishment of a rotation system for the assignment of pilots for the conduct of vessels in the ports and waters of the state, including
the waters of Long Island Sound.
(P.A. 90-274, S. 6; P.A. 97-304, S. 20, 31.)
History: P.A. 97-304 divided section into two Subsecs., adding as Subsec. (b) a provision allowing Commissioner to
execute an agreement with pilot commission of any other state for establishment of a rotation system for assignment of
pilots, effective July 8, 1997.
Sec. 15-15e. Owners or operators of certain pilot boats to obtain certificate of
compliance. Penalty. (a) On and after October 1, 1997, no owner or operator of a vessel
may transport or offer to transport a pilot licensed under the provisions of section 15-13 for the purpose of embarking or disembarking another vessel in open and unprotected
waters unless such owner or operator has obtained a certificate of compliance from the
Commissioner of Transportation. On and after October 1, 1997, the Commissioner of
Transportation shall issue a certificate of compliance to each owner or operator of a
vessel used to transport a licensed pilot for the purpose of embarking or disembarking
another vessel in open and unprotected waters who complies with the requirements
specified in regulations which shall be adopted by the commissioner in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54. The regulations shall specify (1) standards and procedures
for the issuance and renewal of such certificate; (2) grounds for the suspension of such
certificate; (3) requirements relative to the inspection of such vessels, including the
designation and qualifications of inspectors of such vessels and the maintenance and
inspection of logs in each such vessel; (4) the procedures for embarkation and disembarkation of pilots; and (5) the operation of and equipment required on each such vessel.
Such regulations may establish standard rates for the use of each such vessel for such
purpose. For the purposes of this subsection, "open and unprotected waters" means
waters located east of the area depicted on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charts of the eastern portion of Long Island Sound as "The Race".
(b) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section or any
regulation adopted thereunder shall be fined not less than sixty dollars nor more than
two hundred fifty dollars for each such violation.
(P.A. 97-304, S. 2, 31.)
History: P.A. 97-304 effective July 8, 1997.
Sec. 15-16. Speed of vessels. If any vessel, wholly or partly propelled by power,
moves at a greater rate of speed than six miles per hour, when approaching or passing,
and while within two hundred feet of, any wharf, pier or dock in the city of Hartford
between the Bulkeley Bridge over the Connecticut River and the southern limits of said
city, or Long Wharf and pier in New Haven Harbor, when any vessel is lying thereat at
any berth below the north end of the platform on the east side of the wharf, or the wharf
or pier in Bridgeport Harbor known as Mather's Dock, or any wharf, pier or marine
railway in Norwalk Harbor, or any wharf in the city of Middletown, or any dock, pier
or wharf in the city of New London or in New London Harbor, or in the city of Norwich,
or between the cities of New London and Norwich, or on the Eight Mile River in Lyme
between the northerly end of the channel at Hamburg Village and the southerly end at
the Connecticut River, or any wharf on either side of Mystic River between its mouth
at Noank beacon and the most northerly channel buoy north of the Marine Historical
Association, or while passing between Branford Point Dock and Sybil's Creek, so called,
in the Branford River, the person in command of any such vessel shall forfeit one hundred
dollars to the state, and shall also be liable to pay threefold damages to any person whose
property is injured in consequence of the violation of the provisions of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4760; 1957, P.A. 286, S. 1; 432; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 16.)
History: 1961 act provided for payment of forfeiture to state rather than county, county government having been
abolished.
Sec. 15-17. Baggage on boats to be checked. Section 15-17 is repealed, effective
October 1, 2002.
(1949 Rev., S. 4761; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
Secs. 15-18 to 15-24. Throwing refuse into harbor. Obstructions in New Haven
Harbor restricted. Appeal from commissioner. Dumping in harbors. Jurisdiction
of offenses. Dumping in Norwalk Harbor. Sections 15-18 to 15-24, inclusive, are
repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4762-4768; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 51, 204; 1961, P.A. 417; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 157, 158; 1972, P.A. 124;
P.A. 75-218, S. 1, 2.)
Sec. 15-25. Injuring or interfering with buoys, beacons, channel markers or
navigational aids; penalties. Any person who removes, damages or destroys any buoy,
beacon, channel marker or floating guide placed in the waters of this state by authority
of the Commissioner of Transportation or the harbor master of any harbor, or moors or
in any manner attaches any boat, vessel or raft of any kind to such buoy, beacon, channel
marker or floating guide, unless his life, or the safety of the vessel in which he is, is
endangered, or cuts down, removes, damages or destroys any beacon or navigational
aid erected on land in this state, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars
nor more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than sixty days or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 4769; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 159; P.A. 77-123.)
History: 1969 act added reference to commissioner of transportation and deleted phrase "of this state" modifying "harbor
master"; P.A. 77-123 deleted reference to U.S. lighthouse board, added references to channel markers and navigational
aids, imposed minimum fine of two hundred fifty dollars and raised maximum fine from two hundred to five hundred
dollars and added provision for imposition of prison term or both fine and imprisonment.
Sec. 15-26. Local agent of foreign vessel. Section 15-26 is repealed, effective
October 1, 1999.
(1957, P.A. 621, S. 1; P.A. 77-322; P.A. 99-181, S. 39.)
Sec. 15-26a. Five Mile River Commission. Harbor superintendent. (a) There
shall be a Five Mile River Commission consisting of two electors from each of the towns
of Norwalk and Darien. Each such member shall be appointed by the Governor from a
list of nominees to be submitted by the legislative body of each such town or by the
board of selectmen in the case of a town in which the legislative body is a town meeting.
Members shall serve for a term of four years from the date of his appointment and until
his successor has been appointed and qualified. Such members shall not be compensated
for their services as such but shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses.
(b) The Five Mile River Commission shall have regulatory jurisdiction over the use
of said river. Said commission shall concern itself with the navigation, pollution and
conservation of said river and its drainage basin. It shall be the responsibility of said
commission to bring to the attention of the appropriate federal, state or local authorities
any and all violations of federal, state or local law brought to its notice which in any
way affects said river. In addition said commission shall propose for ratification by the
legislative bodies of the towns of Norwalk and Darien such regulations and procedures
as it deems necessary for the control of moorings and for safe and orderly navigation.
The commission may, with the consent of said legislative bodies apply to the appropriate
federal authority for the designation of the Five Mile River estuary as a "special anchorage area".
(c) The Five Mile River Commission shall appoint by majority vote a harbor superintendent. Said superintendent shall serve at the commission's pleasure and shall, subject
to the approval of the commission, receive an annual salary established and paid by the
member towns. He shall have such authority as the commission may delegate.
(d) Said commission may contract for the services of such professional and clerical
personnel as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(e) The town of New Canaan, upon majority vote by its legislative body, may, at
any time, become a member of the Five Mile River Commission, in which event two
electors of said town shall be appointed to the commission as provided in subsection
(a) of this section.
(1971, P.A. 805, S. 1-4; 1972, P.A. 277, S. 2, 3; P.A. 94-59, S. 3.)
History: 1972 act removed members from New Canaan from commission in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (e) re terms
upon which New Canaan shall become member; P.A. 94-59 added provision that appointments shall be made by the board
of selectmen in the case of a town in which the legislative body is a town meeting.