Massachusetts § 31 - Rates of pilotage; other charges
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 31 — Rates of pilotage; other charges, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31. Rates of pilotage; other charges
Section 31. Rates of pilotage outward and inward for the port of Boston, calculated per foot of draught, shall be as follows:
for vessels 3,500 gross tons or under $50.06
for vessels over 3,501 to 7,000 gross tons $65.30
for vessels over 7,001 to 15,000 gross tons $74.26
for vessels over 15,001 to 25,000 gross tons $77.76
for vessels over 25,001 to 35,000 gross tons $79.49
for vessels over 35,001 to 45,000 gross tons $81.71
for vessels over 45,001 to 55,000 gross tons $87.78
for vessels over 55,001 to 70,000 gross tons $92.78
for vessels over 70,001 to 85,000 gross tons $99.46
for vessels over 85,000 gross tons $106.13
Other charges shall be:
(1) for detention of a pilot on board a vessel, there shall be a one hour free period, followed by a $100 charge for the second hour or portion thereof; for each additional hour or portion thereof there shall be a charge of $100. Detention time shall begin at the ordered sailing time;
(2) cancellation rate, $400;
(3) compass adjusting, $400;
(4) calibration rate, $400;
(5) when a pilot is ordered and dispatched for an arriving vessel and his services are not employed, the vessel shall pay a charge of $400, but a pilot shall be considered ordered unless notified: 3 hours before sailing time in Boston; 3 hours before sailing time in Quincy, anchorage number two or anchorage number five;
(6) no charge shall be made for a vessel detained because of fog or stress of weather;
(7) pilot carried away, the vessel shall pay his return expenses plus $200 per day;
(8) notifying a vessel of his diversion orders, a charge of $100 may be levied plus any regular charges;
(9) assisting the master in docking and undocking, $350;
(10) all inbound vessels shall notify the pilot office eight hours before arrival time if such time varies more than two hours from their latest estimated time of arrival report; and
(11) a surcharge shall be made on each full pilotage charge for the cost of a suitable replacement vessel for the Boston Pilot when it is deemed advisable by a condition survey of the vessel. The surcharge shall be $50 per full pilotage for all vessels 3,500 gross tons and under and $100 per full pilotage for all vessels over 3,500 gross tons. Any such surcharge funds collected shall be placed in an escrow fund which shall be overseen by the office of the commissioners of pilots and shall be used in addition to proceeds realized from the sale of a present pilot vessel. An audited statement of the fund shall be made available to industry representatives on a quarterly basis.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 31
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 31 cover?
Section 31 ("Rates of pilotage; other charges") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 31?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 31" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 31 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.