---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 9304"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "9304"
heading: "Pilotage pools"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/9304"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 93 — Great Lakes Pilotage"
---

# §9304. Pilotage pools

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may authorize the formation of a pool by a voluntary association of [United States registered pilots](/usc/46/9301.md?p=3) to provide for efficient dispatching of vessels and rendering of pilotage services.
- (b) For pilotage pools, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may—
  - (1) limit the number of the pools;
  - (2) prescribe regulations for their operation and administration;
  - (3) prescribe a uniform system of accounts;
  - (4) perform audits and inspections; and
  - (5) require coordination on a reciprocal basis with similar pool arrangements authorized by the appropriate agency of Canada.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 559.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 9304 | 46:216b(e) |

Section 9304 provides for the formation of a pool by a voluntary association of United States registered pilots to provide for efficient pilotage services.

Subsection (a) permits the Secretary to authorize formation of United States pilotage pools.

Subsection (b) sets forth the restrictions and conditions that the Secretary may prescribe for these pools.