[Rodger]

Pilotage rules nearly sink U.S. Brig Niagara voyage to Montreal

9/12 - Erie, Pa. – The U.S. Brig Niagara's scheduled trip to a tall ships festival in Montreal Sept. 15-18 was nearly scuttled Thursday because of recent new pilotage regulations and fees on the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Niagara Senior Capt. Walter Rybka said the ship is facing $20,000 in pilotage fees on its round trip to Montreal. Rybka said he and Flagship Niagara League officials learned Wednesday of the new fees, which were implemented in late July.

The Niagara was scheduled to leave Erie on Thursday at 1 p.m., but did not depart its berth behind the Erie Maritime Museum until Thursday evening. The Niagara set sail Thursday after Flagship Niagara League officials were able to negotiate with the Port Authority of Montreal a $10,000 increase in Niagara's festival appearance fee.

The Flagship Niagara League will receive $60,000 for Niagara's Montreal appearance, but the $20,000 pilotage fees remain in effect.

Rybka said under previous regulations governing the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway, the Niagara usually did not require a pilot and did not incur pilotage fees.

"We took it through ourselves,'' he said. "It used to be on the lower St. Lawrence when we used to do East Coast voyages, we did have to take a pilot from the entrance of the St. Lawrence River to Montreal. It was based on the length of the vessel -- any vessel over 125 feet -- and we qualified. We had to pay, and it cost $5,000 to $7,000 depending on how long the pilots were on board. But that was only every couple of years.''

Rybka said under the previous pilotage provisions, any ship less than 300 gross tons was not required to take on a pilot. "The Niagara measures 162 gross tons, but she is over 125 feet,'' Rybka said. "They changed the rule to have one unified rule for ships over 125 feet. The rules now apply to the upper (St. Lawrence Seaway) system as well as the lower system.''

Rybka said the Niagara's minimum builder's length -- its hull and anything permanently attached to it -- is 127 feet. The ship's length, including its bowsprit, measures 146 feet, he said.

"This would have been the first time we would have not gone to a scheduled appearance,'' Rybka said.

Erie Times

[Capt J]

Here is a perfect example of the government and pilots getting greedy and less yachts will actually go there, and revenue will probably drop, not increase.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Capt J

Here is a perfect example of the government and pilots getting greedy .

The Government ARE the pilots on the Seaway. We are currently upbound toward Chicago and I would certainly be happier just navigating the Seaway rather than navigating the legalities of it all!

[Ken Bracewell]

Since the US Coast Guard gave us a pilotage exemption in US Waters, the Canadians Great Lakes Pilotage Authority has decided to partially follow suit.
We now only require a pilot from St. Lambert Lock until Snell Lock. After that we need a pilot through the Welland Canal and then are free to go where we like.
I'll post the rates after I've completed the trip.

[Ken Bracewell]

On another note- we had the rudest and pompous pilot (think stereotypical french dealing with Anglophones) aboard from Quebec to Trois Rivieres yesterday. He started by ordering me to slow down while transiting the Port of Quebec Lock. Mind you, I was running at dead idle with a following wind of 20 kts and a following current of 1kt. When I responded that I would take care of maneuvering the boat, WWIII broke out on the bridge.
The end result was me telling him to sit his French butt down and keep his mouth shut unless he had a heading change to call to the helmsman.
Six hours later, he got off and we were boarded by one of the happiest and friendly pilots I've ever met. Redemption for the Quebecois!

[Kevin]

Ken, be sure to wave when you're in Montreal... I'll keep an eye open for you guys.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Ken, be sure to wave when you're in Montreal... I'll keep an eye open for you guys.

We're docked at the Old Port

[Kevin]

Very cool. The tall ships are there this weekend, are they not?

You guys should have been here last weekend... the weather was about as perfect as you could get for September. Sunny, clear, and warm.

[Capt J]

Originally Posted by Ken Bracewell

On another note- we had the rudest and pompous pilot (think stereotypical french dealing with Anglophones) aboard from Quebec to Trois Rivieres yesterday. He started by ordering me to slow down while transiting the Port of Quebec Lock. Mind you, I was running at dead idle with a following wind of 20 kts and a following current of 1kt. When I responded that I would take care of maneuvering the boat, WWIII broke out on the bridge.
The end result was me telling him to sit his French butt down and keep his mouth shut unless he had a heading change to call to the helmsman.
Six hours later, he got off and we were boarded by one of the happiest and friendly pilots I've ever met. Redemption for the Quebecois!

How did he respond to your orders to sit down and shut up? I had to do that once to an owners drunken 28 year old son.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Capt J

How did he respond to your orders to sit down and shut up?

He didn't like it one bit. In fact he refused to sit, so continued to stand for the entire 6 hour passage.

[Rodger]

A few years ago I was on a 150' Palmer Johnson we departed St. Lambert lock with a harbour pilot going to the marina at the Old Port and when we were approaching the dock the captain had to do the same thing due to the strong current as the pilot did not like the way the captain was making the dock .
See you when you arrive at the Welland.
Have a safe trip
Rodger

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Ken Bracewell

Since the US Coast Guard gave us a pilotage exemption in US Waters, the Canadians Great Lakes Pilotage Authority has decided to partially follow suit.
We now only require a pilot from St. Lambert Lock until Snell Lock. After that we need a pilot through the Welland Canal and then are free to go where we like.
I'll post the rates after I've completed the trip.

Although this is was what was discussed over the telephone with Captain Daniel Trottier, I am kicking myself because I didn't request that ruling in writing. After making my way all the way to Chicago and then back as far as the Welland Canal, the GPLA put me over a barrel yesterday. They called me (on a weekend, when I had no access to legal advice, none-the-less) and informed me that if I didn't take a pilot all the way from the Welland Canal to Montreal (as opposed to the agreed upon Snell-Montreal section) that I would be in violation of the law. I reminded Captain Trottier of our conversation in September and he gave me some BS about being confused and thinking that RENA was a US flagged vessel, rather than Marshall Islands. I know this is BS because I have copies of every email between us, clearly stating the vessel particulars as well as copies of the licenses of each crew member.

So it goes something like this:
GPLA: "You'll need to take one of our pilots from Montreal all the way to the Straights of Mackinac". Remember, this is a Canadian government owned AND regulated company- A GOVERNMENT REGULATED MONOPOLY.

ME: "Well, perhaps we may not come to the Great Lakes then."

US Coast Guard: "Since you're a private vessel, you are welcome to cruise in the US Waters of the Great Lakes without a pilot."

ME (to the US Coast Guard): "Great. Thanks very much Captain Eullitt!"

ME (to the Canadian GPLA): "I will take a pilot as far as Alexandria Bay, NY. At that time, I will release the pilot and stay in US Waters until I am at the Welland Canal. I will then take a canal pilot through the Canal before heading back to US waters for the remainder of my trip. I'll do the same on the way home. You know, this is really a shame for all the Canadian business owners who could benefit from the money we would spend along the way."

GPLA: "We have decided that you will only be required to take a pilot as far as Snell Lock. Thereafter you can go where you like, with the exception of the Welland Canal."

ME: "That's great! In that case, I'll spend some time and money in Canada."

That is how it went; the GPLA pilot got off the boat at Snell and wished us well. We then cruised through both countries and really had a great time until Captain Trottier decided that he could change his mind and force us to take a pilot!

I see this as pure extortion! They've essentially duped me into bringing the boat into the Lakes and then forcing me to pay pilotage costs before allowing me to leave (I have it on good authority that if I hadn't taken a pilot, I would have been detained above the locks in the Cornwall District).

Additionally, I am concerned about the reasons for the rule changes and inconsistency. You see, I believe that the GPLA changed the minimum size for mandatory pilotage from 1500 GRT (a small ship) to 35 metres (most yachts) was due to a slow down in shipping as a result of the economy. There is also a great fear (as expressed to me from numerous pilots along the way) that impending NY State ballast water regulations will drastically reduce shipping traffic. I am convinced that the GPLA is scrambling to make up for lost revenues and to justify their own existence.

I would caution anyone considering coming to the Great Lakes to reconsider. You may think of Canada as a pretty civilized country, but this action leaves me feeling like I am dealing with a Banana Republic or Third-World Country.

If you're a Canadian citizen and it burns you that your Government is passing legislation that is driving business away from local economies, I urge you to get in touch with your MP. If you doubt that this is happening, I can promise you that I will not be recommending a trip back to the Great Lakes. While we were in Canada, we spent well over $150,000 on various services and goods.

It may also help to drop an email to dtrottier@glpa-apgl.com
I will also be happy to share his telephone number via PM.

[Rodger]

When you get a chance Ken post the pilot cost for your trip, they will be shocked when they see them.
Have a safe trip south.
Rodger

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Rodger

When you get a chance Ken post the pilot cost for your trip, they will be shocked when they see them.
Have a safe trip south.
Rodger

Prior to yesterday's cash grab it was just shy of $30,000USD. I'm not sure what the latest shake-down will be. A colleague on a larger yacht, who was told he required a pilot from Les Escoumins to Port Huron, recently told me that his pilotage for the upbound leg was roughly $33,000!!

[dennismc]

Ken, the US is no better, I went to Alaska from BC 4yrs ago, contacted Alaska Pioltage before going as we would transit Wrangell Narrows both ways, was informed that any foreign flagged vessel over 65 ft must have pilotage both ways, estimated cost $4k, I asked if we put a US Master on board would that give us an exemption? NO...I asked if a US vessel with a 17 yr old non certified individual in command would pilotage apply ?? NO....just proved was a cash grab, we ended up going through Dry Spit at high tide with a guide ahead checking depths, was a great adventure and really ticked off the pilotage as they did check when we got to Juneau. I had the track recorded just in case they thought we cheated.
I have also heard that WA. State tries to impose similar regs for Canadians.