Section 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.