The Below excerpt is taken from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume V, Chapter 2.

b. Cases Involving Pilots. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided that a state pilot, not required to hold a license under federal law, is not acting under the authority of the pilot's federal license, although it is required by the state before it will issue the state license. See Soriano v. U. S. , 494 F. 2d 681 (9th Cir. 1974). The U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana decided that former 46 U. S. C. 214 does not, by itself, authorize proceedings against federal licenses held by pilots acting under authority of state licenses. See Dietze v. Siler, 414 F. Supp. 1105, (E. D. La. , 1976). The Commandant's policy is to follow the Soriano and Dietze decisions in all cases involving pilots acting under the authority of state commissions. This policy does not affect investigative procedures concerning casualties and civil violations involving state pilots. Pilots acting under authority of federal licenses are subject to investigation and charging under 46 U. S. C. Chapter 77 or civil penalty action, as appropriate. Pilots acting solely under the authority of a state license are subject to civil penalty action for violation of applicable statutes. Any evidence of criminal violation of federal statutes shall be referred to the local U. S. attorney. If a violation is within the jurisdiction of a state or locality, the evidence should be referred to the cognizant state or district attorney. See also Commandant's Decision on Review 17 (POWER).