Pilot

An officer serving on board of a ship during the course of a voyage, and having the charge of the helm and of the ship's route. An officer authorized by' law, who is taken on board at a particular place for the purpose of conducting a ship through a river, road, or channel, or from or into port.

10 Abb. Pr. (N. Y.) 30.

Pilots of the second description are established by legislative enactments at the principal seaports in this country, and have laws establishing them; the principal being the obligation of every vessel entering the port to take on a licensed pilot of the port, usually the first who offers his services (118 U. S. 90; 12 Fed. 81; 10 Fed. 135), or pay pilotage to the pilot so offering.