house Resolution No.244

Rep. O'Malley offered the following resolution:

A resolution to urge the President and the Congress of the United States to declare the waters of the Straits of Mackinac as "designated" for purposes of Great Lakes commercial ship pilotage.

Whereas, The Great Lakes are integral to Michigan's environment, economic development, and recreation; and

Whereas, The federal Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 established two distinct categories of pilotage on the Great Lakes – designated waters and undesignated waters – and authorized the President of the United States to determine designated waters. In 1968, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared designated waters on the Great Lakes, including all United States waters of the St. Marys River, the Soo Locks, and approaches thereto. There have been no significant changes in designated waters since that time; and

Whereas, The act requires both United States and foreign-flagged vessels sailing in designated waters to be under the navigational direction of a United States or Canadian registered pilot to ensure marine safety and effective use of navigable waters. Further, foreign-flagged vessels operating in undesignated waters on the Great Lakes must have a United States or Canadian registered pilot on board to direct the navigation of the vessel or be available to assist in navigation if necessary; and

Whereas, Pilotage of foreign-flagged vessels on the Great Lakes is an important function provided by individuals with years of experience sailing on the largest freshwater sea in the world. Pilots are charged with the safety of the vessel and boating public as well as protection of infrastructure and the environment; and

Whereas, The Straits of Mackinac, an environmentally sensitive area of great importance to the entire Great Lakes ecosystem, is an undesignated water. The Straits are often congested with commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Additionally, the area has restricted visibility, narrow waterways, and important infrastructure including the Mackinac Bridge and pipelines contributing to the unique navigational challenges that exist in the Straits of Mackinac; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President and the Congress of the United States to declare the waters of the Straits of Mackinac as "designated" for purposes of Great Lakes commercial ship pilotage; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.