A particular officer serving on board a ship during the course of a voyage, and having the charge of the helm and the ship’s route; or a person taken on board at any particular place for the purpose of conducting a ship through a river, read, or channel, or from or into a port. Branch pilot. One possessing a license, commission, or certificate of competency issued by the proper authority and usually after an examination.
PILOT
TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.