§ 88-a. Unlicensed piloting. A person other than a lawfully
authorized Sandy Hook pilot or a person heretofore licensed as a Hell
Gate pilot who pilots or offers to pilot or tows or offers to tow any
boat or vessel (except barges, vessels under fifty-five tons burden, and
canal boats actually used in navigating the canals) through that part of
the East river, commonly called Hell Gate, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
But no pilotage shall be charged to any vessel under a coasting license,
on entering or departing from the port of New York by way of the East
river called Hell Gate unless such vessel actually employs a pilot, and
the making of such charge or demand without such employment shall be
deemed a misdemeanor.

This section does not apply to vessels owned or belonging to citizens
of the United States, and licensed and engaged in the coasting trade.