§ 442 Pilot Insurance Requirements

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

When a ship's owner (or their agent) tells a pilot they need it, the pilot must get insurance that covers any mistakes the pilot or their employer might make while guiding the ship.

Key Takeaways

•The pilot must get insurance if the owner (or agent) asks for it.
•The insurance covers mistakes made by the pilot, the pilot’s employer, or the employer’s workers.
•How much coverage is provided is decided by the pilot and the party asking for insurance, and the cost is added to the pilot’s fees.

Example

A cargo ship is about to enter a busy harbor. The ship's owner asks the pilot for insurance before the pilot helps steer the vessel.

The pilot buys a policy that will pay for any damage caused by the pilot’s error. The cost of this insurance is added to the pilot’s regular service fee.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 442 Pilot Insurance Requirements

Upon reasonable notice from the owners, agents, charterers, or operators, a pilot shall provide insurance covering the vessel, its owners, agents, charterers, or operators from the consequences of negligence of the pilot supplying the pilotage services, the pilot’s employer, or other employees of the pilot’s employer on a trip insurance basis with limits of coverage established by agreement between the pilot and the party requesting the insurance, the premium of which will be assessed in addition to the rates and charges for the pilotage services. (Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 785, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

reasonable notice insurance negligence trip insurance basis limits of coverage premium pilotage services

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 442.

§ 442 Pilot Insurance Requirements

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 442 Pilot Insurance Requirements

When a ship's owner (or their agent) tells a pilot they need it, the pilot must get insurance that covers any mistakes the pilot or their employer might make while guiding the ship.

Key Takeaways

•The pilot must get insurance if the owner (or agent) asks for it.
•The insurance covers mistakes made by the pilot, the pilot’s employer, or the employer’s workers.
•How much coverage is provided is decided by the pilot and the party asking for insurance, and the cost is added to the pilot’s fees.

Example

A cargo ship is about to enter a busy harbor. The ship's owner asks the pilot for insurance before the pilot helps steer the vessel.

The pilot buys a policy that will pay for any damage caused by the pilot’s error. The cost of this insurance is added to the pilot’s regular service fee.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 442 Pilot Insurance Requirements

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

reasonable notice insurance negligence trip insurance basis limits of coverage premium pilotage services

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 442.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References