Lakes Pilots Association getting more pilots, new boat

Here is a Press Release from Great Lakes Pilot Association.

Immediate Release
Norwegian Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre
Cornwall, Ontario (July 12, 2016) — The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority (GLPA) is a Canadian Federal Crown Corporation responsible for administering the Pilotage Act in the Great Lakes regions. There has been a misunderstanding related to the pilotage requirements for the vessel Draken Harald Hårfagre in which the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority in Canada has been wrongly targeted regarding the above ship’s pilotage requirements. In Canada (the Great Lakes Region), foreign flag ships such as the visiting Norwegian ship, are subject to pilotage only when they exceed 35 meters in length. In this case, the vessel’s length is less than 35 meters, and therefore is not subject to pilotage in Canadian waters. Notwithstanding this, the vessel did order a pilot from the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority to transit the first leg of the voyage that was entirely in Canadian waters. It did so even if it did not require a pilot.
On the next stage of its voyage, it travelled in International waters where U.S. Coast Guard regulations are in place. Pilotage in those International waters are required west of Cornwall, Ontario for the entire Great Lakes region except the Welland Canal when a vessel is operating in commercial trade.
In the Welland Canal, the Norwegian ship again ordered the service of a pilot, even if it was not required. In both cases where the pilots were ordered, the ship was travelling in Canadian waters. Invoices for both sectors totaled $17,000.00.
Pilotage requirements for the U.S. Coast Guard are different than Canadian requirements in International waters, and as such, the Norwegian ship is required under American laws to avail themselves of a licenced pilot in all International and American waters of the Great Lakes. Canada has no reciprocity agreement with the U.S. when it comes to pilotage exemptions on foreign flag vessels, therefore the American laws are in place and as such, the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority is not responsible for this matter.
We understand a great deal of people following the vessel’s travels in the last few months are upset regarding this issue. We remain available to answer all pilotage-related questions regarding this vessel or answering any other questions you might have regarding pilotage in Canada and the Great Lakes.
For more information:
Robert Lemire
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Pilotage Authority
613-933-2991, ext. 205