WASHINGTON – After four years without a full-rate adjustment, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced a 20% average rate increase for the pilots who navigate ships on the Great Lakes would go into effect in time for the 2005 shipping season.

Foreign flag vessels and U.S. flag vessels in foreign trade are required to use a Great Lakes Registered Pilot while transiting through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes system to ensure critical safety and environmental functions occur. This pay adjustment was hard fought by Congressman Stupak as he made countless attempts through legislation to raise the issue and sent letters to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Department of Transportation.

The adjustment is effective on April 11^th, 2005.

“Great Lakes pilots deserve this pay increase,” Stupak said. “I am proud to have been joined in this effort by Congressman Oberstar from Minnesota so that these pilots receive what is rightfully theirs.”

The Coast Guard pilotage regulations require annual reviews of pilotage rates and the creation of a new rate at least once every five years, or sooner, if the annual review shows a need. The last full-rate adjustment became effective in August, 2001, and a partial-rate adjustment became effective on January 12, 2004.  However, 2004 partial-rate adjustment was based on calculations using 2001 data.

"While this adjustment has been far from timely, I’m pleased that the pilots who navigate our Great Lakes will receive their just compensation. It simply doesn’t make sense to underfund a pilotage system that is crucial to the largest freshwater body in the world,” Stupak said.

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