---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 9301"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "9301"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/9301"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 93 — Great Lakes Pilotage"
---

# §9301. Definitions


In this chapter—

- (1) “Canadian registered pilot” means an individual (except a regular crewmember of a vessel) who is registered by Canada on the same basis as an individual registered under [section 9303 of this title](/usc/46/9303.md).
- (2) “Great Lakes” means Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, their connecting and tributary waters, the Saint Lawrence River as far east as Saint Regis, and adjacent port areas.
- (3) “United States registered pilot” means an individual (except a regular crewmember of a vessel) who is registered under [section 9303 of this title](/usc/46/9303.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 557.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 9301(1) | 46:216(d) |
| 9301(2) | 46:216(a) |
| 9301(3) | 46:216(c) |

Section 9301 contains definitions which pertain to this chapter only.

Clause (1) defines “Canadian registered pilot” as an individual registered as a pilot in Canada on the same basis as the United States.

Clause (2) defines “Great Lakes” as the five lakes plus their connecting and tributary waters, a certain part of the Saint Lawrence River, and adjacent ports.

Clause (3) defines “United States registered pilot” as an individual registered under regulations for competency under section 9303.