SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5488

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Revising pilots' quarterly reports' requirements.

SPONSORS: Senators Prentice, Vognild, Prince, Loveland and von Reichbauer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Jennifer Joly (786‑7300)

Hearing Dates: February 10, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Pilots are responsible for the navigation of U.S. and foreign flag vessels in the Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay. 

RCW 88.16.110 requires every licensed pilot to file a quarterly report with the Board of Pilotage Commissioners.  The report must contain:  an account of all moneys received for pilotage (a substantial portion of which is based on the vessel's gross tonnage); the name of the vessel piloted; the amount charged to and/or collected from each vessel; the port of registry of such vessel; the dead weight tonnage of such vessel; whether the vessel was inward or outward bound; whether the amount received, collected or charged is in full payment of pilotage; and such other information as the board shall by regulation prescribe.  The report must also contain information regarding vessel groundings, collisions or other major marine casualties occurring while a pilot is on duty.

By custom, the country flag, which the vessel flies, is used to denote a vessel's registry.  Thus the term "port of registry," as prescribed in 88.16.110, inaccurately reflects usage in the pilotage community.  That is, a vessel does not register by port.

"Dead weight" refers to a vessel's cargo carrying capacity, whereas "gross tonnage" refers to the space available on board a vessel.  Historically, pilots to have used gross tonnage in their reports, but 88.16.110 prescribes dead weight.  By altering the statute to accommodate the current practices of the pilots, the historic log may be retained.

SUMMARY:

Pilots are required to file a quarterly report on the 15th day of January, April, July, and October.

The quarterly report must list the vessels' country of registry, rather than the port of registry.

The quarterly report must contain the piloted vessel's gross tonnage.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested