New York Consolidated Laws, Navigation Law - NAV § 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.