PROPOSED RULES
PILOTAGE COMMISSIONERS
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 11-15-076.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 363-116-0751 Qualifications for pilot applicants taking examinations on or after July 1, 2008, 363-116-076 Examination for pilot applicants, 363-116-077 Simulator evaluation for pilot applicants, 363-116-078 Training program, 363-116-080 Licensing of pilots, 363-116-083 Written examination protest and appeal procedures, and 363-116-084 Simulator evaluation review and appeal procedures.
Hearing Location(s): 2901 Third Avenue, 5th Floor, Alki Conference Room, Seattle, WA 98121, on January 12, 2012, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: January 12, 2012.
Submit Written Comments to: Captain Harry Dudley, Chairman, 2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121, e-mail larsonp@wsdot.wa.gov, fax (206) 515-3906, by January 5, 2012.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shawna Erickson by January 9, 2012, (206) 515-3647.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board will be considering amendments to these rules in anticipation of administering a state pilot exam in 2012 to qualify applicants for entrance into a training program. The board intends to test applicants for both the Puget Sound and Grays Harbor pilotage districts. Modifications, updates, clarification and housekeeping are among the elements reflected in these proposed rules.
It is necessary that these new rules are adopted prior to the announcement of the 2012 pilot exam.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The purpose of modifying these rules is to update the examination process based on feedback from experts who assisted in the development of previous examinations; past examination participants; and other stakeholders.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 88.16 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 88.16 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: At the direction of the board, the legislative/WAC committee and the trainee evaluation committee of the board developed the proposed amendments as they relate to the pilot examination and training processes. Further written and oral comments are welcome throughout the rule-making process. The board may adopt a rule that varies from the proposed rule upon consideration of presentations and written comments from any interested party and the public. The board may consider whether or not to adopt any or all of the proposed new rules under emergency provisions.
Name of Proponent: Board of pilotage commissioners, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Board of Pilotage Commissioners, 2901 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 515-3904.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The application of the proposed modifications is clear in the description of the proposal and its anticipated effects as well as the proposed language shown below.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to the adoption of these rules. The Washington state board of pilotage commissioners is not a listed agency in RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).
December 7, 2011
Peggy Larson
Executive Director
OTS-4523.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-15-119, filed 7/21/08,
effective 8/21/08)
WAC 363-116-0751
Qualifications for pilot applicants
taking examinations on or after July 1, 2008.
(1) Sea
service.
(a) In addition to meeting the preexamination requirements of RCW 88.16.090, pilot applicants must, before taking the examination provided in WAC 363-116-076, meet one of the following indicated service requirements as master, while holding a minimum license as master of steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC):
| Vessel Type | Minimum Size | Waters | Minimum Time |
| Cargo or tank | 5000 GRT or 10,000 GT (ITC) | Ocean or near coastal | 1 year |
| Cargo or tank | 700 GRT or 1400 GT (ITC) | Ocean or near coastal | 2 years |
| Cargo or tank | 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC) | Inland | 2 years |
| Passenger or ferry | 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC) | Ocean, near coastal or inland | 2 years |
| Towing | 150 GRT or 300 GT (ITC) | Ocean, near coastal or inland | 2 years |
(2) In lieu of the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, a pilot applicant may substitute either:
(a) Three years of service as an active member of an organized professional pilot association or as a government employed pilot during which periods the pilot applicant was actively engaged in piloting and docking vessels while holding a minimum license as a master of steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC) upon oceans, near coastal waters or inland waters. For purposes of this section, piloting shall refer to piloting vessels in the capacity of the pilot in charge of navigation with no other responsibilities (either when piloting or not piloting) as a member of the ship's crew; or
(b) Two years of service as a commanding officer or master of U.S. flag government vessels of not less than 3000 displacement tons. The pilot applicant must hold at the time of application a minimum license as master of steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC) upon oceans, near coastal waters or inland waters;
(c) Two years of service as master of special purpose vessels of not less than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC) while holding a minimum license as master of steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC), provided that the sea time making up the sea service was spent in charge of a vessel that can be documented to have been underway and to have required the type of ship-handling, navigation and leadership skills that the board finds necessary to provide the experience needed to become a pilot. Evaluation of service time on such vessels shall be made by the board on a case-by-case basis and shall not be approved unless the board finds the service to be the substantial equivalent of the sea service required in (a) and (b) of this subsection. The determination of the board as to the suitability of service as master of a special purpose vessel will be final.
(3) As used in this section these terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) Cargo or tank vessels shall refer to vessels primarily engaged in the transportation of cargo between points.
(b) Passenger vessels shall refer to vessels primarily engaged in the transportation of passengers between points. This shall include yachts only to the extent and for such times that such vessels are actively engaged in moving passengers between points.
(c) Ferry vessels shall refer to vessels primarily engaged in the transportation of vehicles and passengers between points.
(d) Towing vessels shall refer to vessels primarily engaged in commercial towing of vessels or in ship assist work.
(e) GRT shall refer to gross register tonnage (domestic).
(f) GT (ITC) shall refer to gross tonnage measured in accordance with the requirements of the 1969 International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships.
(g) Master shall refer to the person of master's rank on the vessel's station bill or muster list or other such document who, in the event of an emergency or the sounding of a general alarm, is required to be on the bridge and in charge. If there is no such designation, the term master shall refer to the person of master's rank and pay who is ultimately in charge of the navigation of the vessel as reflected in the vessel's official log book, or there being no official log book, the bridge log of the vessel.
(4) It will be the responsibility of the pilot applicant to provide adequate documentation to enable the board to set forth and verify sea service in the manner specified in the board's application form.
(5) ((The provisions of this section shall apply to
examinations provided in WAC 363-116-076 given on or after
July 1, 2008.)) The board will not provide applicants with a
final determination verifying service until it receives an
application form. You will not get official notification of
whether you qualify to sit for the examination until the board
reviews your formal application. In the event you are working
on a vessel other than one of the five specified in subsection
(1)(a) of this section, e.g., a special purpose vessel, you
will be required to provide the board with sufficient
documentation to demonstrate to the board the amount of time
you were involved in the navigation of a vessel underway.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-0751, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-0751, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05.]
The notice shall indicate which district or districts the examination is for and, if for both districts, the notice shall make it clear that applicants can elect to apply for a license in one or both of the districts. If an exam is given for both the Grays Harbor and Puget Sound pilotage districts, the applicants shall be graded and evaluated as one applicant pool. (This provides for a single examination covering both of the Washington state pilotage districts.)
(2) The examination may be taken by all pilot applicants who the board has determined have met the qualifications of WAC 363-116-0751 and who:
(a) Have had an application on file with the board for at least one month prior to the examination. This requirement may be waived by the chairperson of the board upon the showing of good cause. The application shall specify whether the applicant is applying for the Puget Sound district, the Grays Harbor district or both.
(b) Have tendered with the application a nonrefundable examination administration fee in such amount as may be set by the board from time to time. The board may, at its discretion, refund all or part of the examination administration fee for a pilot applicant who is unable to sit for the written examination.
(3) The written examination shall be in compliance with RCW 88.16.090 and may consist of questions covering, but not limited to, the following subjects:
(a) Rules of the Road then applicable to the pilotage district for which the pilot applicant is applying and accompanying information set forth in United States government publications on the subject;
(b) Meaning and understanding of the aids to navigation;
(c) Seamanship, including piloting and ship handling, docking and undocking problems, use of ship assist tugs and anchors;
(d) Vessel traffic system regulations;
(e) Engine and rudder order commands for United States and foreign merchant vessels and United States naval vessels;
(f) Operation and use of marine radar and automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA);
(g) Ability to calculate currents and tides;
(h) Federal laws affecting mariners and pilots including environmental laws;
(i) Use of vessel navigational equipment;
(j) Duties of a pilot;
(k) Relationship between pilot and master;
(l) Bridge resource management;
(m) United States government public health quarantine regulations;
(n) Marine VHF radio usage and phraseology, including bridge-to-bridge communications regulations;
(o) Federal navigation safety and security regulations;
(p) International distress signals;
(q) Nonlocal chart knowledge, including chart symbols and abbreviations as set forth in the latest U.S. Department of Commerce, NOS (National Ocean Survey) Chart No. 1;
(r) Maneuvering behavior for different vessel types; and
(s) Impact of propulsion and maneuvering machinery on vessel navigation.
(4) The board may require that the cost of the written examination will be at the expense of the pilot applicant.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-076, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-076, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05.]
(2) The simulator evaluation shall take place at a marine
simulator facility designated by the board and ((shall)) may
be recorded. In this evaluation pilot applicants shall be
observed by available board members but shall be evaluated
only by those available board members who hold, or have held a
minimum U.S. Coast Guard license as master of steam or motor
vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons. The board shall
also appoint a minimum of two additional evaluators who hold,
or have held within ten years of the examination date, a state
pilot license issued by Washington or another state ((or who
have held a Washington state pilot license within the last ten
years)). If the evaluation is for applicants to both the
Grays Harbor and Puget Sound pilotage district, the applicants
shall be evaluated as one applicant pool.
(3) All pilot applicants will be evaluated in writing based on some or all of the following factors:
(a) Fundamental piloting and ship handling ability;
(b) Ability to assimilate and prioritize all data necessary to safely maneuver the ship;
(c) Ability to respond appropriately in routine situations;
(d) Ability to respond appropriately in emergency or nonroutine situations;
(e) Ability to communicate well and project the proper bridge presence;
(f) Understanding of bridge resource management; and
(g) Understanding and command of the Rules of the Road then applicable to the pilotage district for which the pilot applicant is applying.
(4) The board ((will)) shall develop this simulator
examination, determine the scoring method ((on the simulator
evaluation)), the minimum passing or "cut" score, and the
relative weight of this score to the whole examination in
conformance with a psychometrically validated process.
(5) ((The board will set a minimum passing score.
(6))) The board may require that the cost of the simulator evaluation will be at the expense of the pilot applicant.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-077, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-077, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05.]
(1) Notification. Pilot applicants on ((the)) a list as
described in subsection (2) of this section, waiting to enter
((the)) a training program shall provide the board with a
current address to be used for notification for entry into
((the)) a training program. Such address shall be a place at
which mail is delivered. In addition, a pilot applicant may
provide the board with other means of contact such as a phone
number, fax number, and/or an e-mail address. The mailing
address will, however, be considered the primary means of
notification by the board. It will be the responsibility of
the pilot applicant to ensure that the board has a current
mailing address at all times. If a pilot applicant cannot
personally receive mail at the address provided to the board
for any period of time, another person may be designated in
writing with a notarized copy to the board as having power of
attorney specifically to act in the pilot applicant's behalf
regarding such notice. If notice sent to the address provided
by the pilot applicant is returned after three attempts to
deliver, that pilot applicant will be skipped and the next
pilot applicant on the list will be contacted for entry into
((the)) a training program. A person so skipped will remain
next on the list. A pilot applicant or his/her designated
attorney in fact shall respond within fifteen calendar days of
receipt of notification to accept, refuse, or request a
delayed entry into ((the)) a training program.
(2) Entry. At such time that the board chooses to start
a pilot applicant or applicants in ((the)) a training program
for a district, notification shall be given ((to the first
person on the list)) as provided in this section. Pilot
applicants shall be ranked on this and be eligible to enter a
training program in the order of their total combined scores
on the written examination and simulator evaluation or as
otherwise may be determined by the board. A pilot applicant
who refuses entry into ((the)) a program will be removed from
the waiting list with no further obligation by the board to
offer a position in ((the)) that district's training program
to such pilot applicant. If the pilot applicant applied for a
license in the other district when applying for the written
examination, the applicant shall remain available for that
other district's training program in accordance with their
position on that list. A pilot applicant who is not able to
start ((the training program on the date the board sets for
that pilot applicant's entry into the)) a training program
within two months of the board's notice may, with written
consent of the board, delay entry into ((the)) that training
program ((for up to)). When an applicant delays entry into a
training program by more than two months((.)), the board will
((then)) give notice to the next pilot applicant on the list
for that district to enter the training program. The pilot
applicant who delays entry, shall remain eligible for the next
position in ((the)) that training program, provided that the
next position becomes available within the earlier of:
(a) Four years from the pilot applicant's taking the written examination; or
(b) The date scheduled for the next pilotage examination
for the district. Pilot applicants not able to start in
((the)) a training program within two months of the date the
board sets for that pilot applicant's entry into ((the)) a
training program and who do not obtain the board's written
consent to delay entry into the training program shall no
longer be eligible for ((the)) that district's training
program without retaking the examination provided in WAC 363-116-076 and the simulator evaluation provided in WAC 363-116-077.
(3) Training license. Prior to receiving a training license pilot applicants must pass a physical examination by a board-designated physician and in accordance with the requirements of WAC 363-116-120 for initial pilot applicants. A form provided by the board must be completed by the physician and submitted to the board along with a cover letter indicating the physician's findings and recommendations as to the pilot applicant's fitness to pilot. The physical examination must be taken not more than ninety days before issuance of the training license. Holders of a training license will be required to pass a general physical examination annually within ninety days prior to the anniversary date of that license. Training license physical examinations will be at the expense of the pilot applicant. All training licenses shall be signed by the chairperson or his/her designee and shall have an expiration date. Training licenses shall be surrendered to the board upon completion or termination of the training program.
(4) Development. As soon as practical after receiving
notification of eligibility for entry into ((the)) a training
program as set forth in this section, the pilot applicant
shall meet with the trainee evaluation committee for the
purpose of devising a training program for that pilot
applicant. The training program shall be tailored to the
ability and experience of the individual pilot applicant and
shall consist of observation trips, training trips ((in which
the pilot applicant pilots the vessel under the supervision of
licensed pilots, ship assist tug)) and evaluation trips, and
such other forms of learning and instruction that may be
designated. The trainee evaluation committee shall recommend
a training program for adoption by the board. After adoption
by the board, it will be presented to the pilot applicant. If
the pilot applicant agrees in writing to the training program,
the board shall issue a training license to the pilot
applicant, which license shall authorize the pilot applicant
to take such actions as are contained in the training program.
If the pilot applicant does not agree to the terms of ((the))
a training program in writing within fifteen business days of
it being ((received by)) mailed to the ((pilot)) applicant by
certified mail, return receipt requested, that pilot applicant
shall no longer be eligible for entry into ((the)) that
district's training program and the board may give notice to
the next available pilot applicant that he/she is eligible for
((the training program.
(5) Initial evaluation.
(a) The trainee evaluation committee shall create an initial evaluation at the beginning of each pilot applicant's training program subject to approval by the board. The goal of the initial evaluation is to, as soon as practical after adequate observation trips, have the pilot trainee involved in hands-on piloting and ship handling under the supervision of licensed pilots and subject to the evaluation of training pilots. To this end the trainee evaluation committee shall devise an initial evaluation of a specified length not to exceed eight months if the pilot trainee is on stipend and fifteen months if not on stipend or within such time frame as may be established by the board. The initial evaluation shall:
(i) Afford the pilot trainee early and concentrated exposure to a commonly navigated waterway, channel or tributary within the pilotage district and the main ship channel routes between such area and the seaward boundary of the pilotage district;
(ii) Except for pilot trainees taking an examination prior to July 1, 2008, provide the pilot trainee the opportunity to study for and pass any local knowledge examinations provided by the board as to the conditions found in such waterway, channel or tributary;
(iii) Specify a number of training trips in which the pilot trainee pilots vessels under the supervision of licensed pilots; and
(iv) Specify a number of training trips in which the pilot trainee pilots vessels under the supervision of training pilots and the pilot members of the trainee evaluation committee.
(b) As a condition of completing the initial evaluation, the pilot trainee shall:
(i) Pass any required local knowledge examinations given by the board covering the routes described in (a)(i) of this subsection. This examination can be repeated as necessary, provided that it may not be taken more than once in any seven day period and further provided that it must be successfully passed before the expiration date of the initial evaluation; and
(ii))) entry into a training program pursuant to the terms in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(5) Initial route.
(a) The trainee evaluation committee shall assign an initial route between a commonly navigated port or terminal and the seaward boundary of the pilotage district to each trainee at the beginning of each pilot applicant's training program.
(b) In a time period that does not exceed eight months from the beginning of the training program if the trainee is on stipend or fifteen months from the beginning of the training program if not on stipend unless an extension of time is granted by the board the trainee must:
(i) Take and pass all conning quizzes provided by the board applicable to that route. These quizzes can be repeated as necessary, provided that they may not be taken more than once in any seven-day period and further provided that they must be successfully passed before the expiration date time period specified in (b) of this subsection; and
(ii) Take and pass the local knowledge examinations provided by the board for that route. These examinations can be repeated as necessary, provided that they may not be taken more than once in any seven-day period and further provided that they must be successfully passed before the expiration date time period specified in (b) of this subsection; and
(iii) Possess a first class pilotage endorsement without
tonnage or other restrictions on his/her United States
((government)) Coast Guard license to pilot ((in at least one
route in the pilotage district in which the pilot applicant
seeks a license.
(c) After completion of the)) on that initial
((evaluation, the trainee evaluation committee shall make a
recommendation to the board and the board shall determine,
whether the pilot trainee has demonstrated the potential for
superior piloting and ship handling and has demonstrated the
ability to assimilate and retain the local knowledge necessary
to pilot. Unless the board finds that such superior potential
exists, it shall terminate the pilot trainee's participation
in the training program)) route.
(6) Specification of trips. To the extent possible,
((the)) a training program shall provide a wide variety of
assignments, observation ((and)), training and evaluation
trips. ((The)) A training program may contain deadlines for
achieving full or partial completion of certain necessary
actions. Where relevant, it may specify such factors as
route, sequence of trips, weather conditions, day or night,
stern or bow first, draft, size of ship and any other relevant
factors. The board may designate specific trips or specific
numbers of trips that shall be made with training pilots or
with the pilot members of the trainee evaluation committee or
with pilots of specified experience. In the Puget Sound
pilotage district, pilot applicants taking an examination
before July 1, 2008, shall complete a minimum of one hundred
thirty trips. After July 1, 2008, all Puget Sound pilotage
district pilot applicants shall complete a minimum of one
hundred fifty trips. The board shall set from time to time
the minimum number of trips for pilot applicants in the Grays
Harbor pilotage district. The board will ensure that during
((the)) a training program the pilot trainee will get
significant review by training pilots and the pilot members of
the trainee evaluation committee.
(7) Local knowledge. ((The)) A training program shall
provide opportunities for the education of pilot trainees and
shall provide for testing of pilot trainees on the local
knowledge necessary to become a pilot. This education program
shall be developed by the trainee evaluation committee and
recommended to the board for adoption, in the form of a policy
statement, and shall be tailored to the needs of the
individual pilot trainee. It shall be the responsibility of
the pilot trainee to obtain the local knowledge necessary to
be licensed as a pilot in the district for which he/she is
applying. Prior to the completion of ((the)) a training
program, the board, or its designee, may give such local
knowledge examination(s) as it deems appropriate to the pilot
trainees who shall be required to pass such examination(s)
before completing ((the)) a training program. The trainee
evaluation committee may require a pilot trainee to sit for a
local knowledge examination provided the trainee evaluation
committee informs the pilot trainee in writing sixty days in
advance of the scheduled date of the examination. Failure to
sit for the examination on the date scheduled may constitute
cause for removal from the training program. The trainee
evaluation committee may also establish in writing such
interim performance requirements as it deems necessary. These
local examinations can be repeated as necessary, except that
an examination for the same local area may not be taken more
than once in any seven-day period and all required local
knowledge examinations must be successfully passed before the
expiration date of the training program. The local knowledge
required of a pilot trainee and the local knowledge
examination(s) may include the following subjects as they
pertain to the pilotage district for which the pilot trainee
seeks a license:
(a) Area geography;
(b) Waterway configurations including channel depths, widths and other characteristics;
(c) Hydrology and hydraulics of large ships in shallow water and narrow channels;
(d) Tides and currents;
(e) Winds and weather;
(f) Local aids to navigation;
(g) Bottom composition;
(h) Local docks, berths and other marine facilities including length, least depths and other characteristics;
(i) Mooring line procedures;
(j) Local traffic operations e.g., fishing, recreational, dredging, military and regattas;
(k) Vessel traffic system;
(l) Marine VHF usage and phraseology, including bridge-to-bridge communications regulations;
(m) Air draft and keel clearances;
(n) Submerged cable and pipeline areas;
(o) Overhead cable areas and clearances;
(p) Bridge transit knowledge - Signals, channel width, regulations, and closed periods;
(q) Lock characteristics, rules and regulations;
(r) Commonly used anchorage areas;
(s) Danger zone and restricted area regulations;
(t) Regulated navigation areas;
(u) Naval operation area regulations;
(v) Local ship assist and escort tug characteristics;
(w) Tanker escort rules - State and federal;
(x) Use of anchors and knowledge of ground tackle;
(y) Applicable federal and state marine and environmental safety law requirements;
(z) Marine security and safety zone concerns;
(aa) Harbor safety plan and harbor regulations;
(bb) Chapters 88.16 RCW and 363-116 WAC, and other relevant state and federal regulations in effect on the date the examination notice is published pursuant to WAC 363-116-076; and
(cc) Courses in degrees true and distances in nautical miles and tenths of miles between points of land, navigational buoys and fixed geographical reference points, and the distance off points of land for such courses as determined by parallel indexing along pilotage routes.
(8) Length.
(a) In the Puget Sound pilotage district, ((for pilot
applicants taking an examination before July 1, 2008,)) the
minimum length of ((the training program shall be seven
months. For pilot applicants who take an examination on or
after July 1, 2008, the minimum length of the)) a training
program shall be eight months. The maximum length of ((the))
a training program shall be thirty-six months if the pilot
applicant elects to receive a stipend. The ((length)) number
of ((the)) trips in a training program shall be established by
the board based on the recommendation of the trainee
evaluation committee.
(b) In the Grays Harbor pilotage district, the length of the training program shall be set by the board based on the recommendation of the trainee evaluation committee.
(9) Rest. It is the pilot trainee's responsibility to
provide adequate rest time so that he/she is fully able to
pilot on training trips. Pilot trainees shall not take pilot
training trips in which they will be piloting the vessel
without observing the rest rules for pilots in place by
federal or state law or regulation or any other rest
requirements contained in a training program. For purposes of
calculating rest required before a training trip in which the
pilot trainee will be piloting after an observation trip in
which the pilot trainee did not pilot the vessel, such
observation trip shall be treated as though it had been a
normal pilot training assignment. ((Nothing herein shall be
construed as requiring any particular amount of rest before
any observation trip in which the pilot trainee will not be
piloting.))
(10) Stipend.
(a) At the initial meeting with the trainee evaluation
committee the pilot applicant shall indicate whether he/she
wishes to receive a stipend during ((the)) a training program.
In the Puget Sound pilotage district, as a condition of
receiving such stipend, pilot applicants will agree to forego
during ((the)) a training program other full- or part-time
employment which prevents them from devoting themselves on a
full-time basis to the completion of ((the)) a training
program. With the consent of the board and the restructuring
of ((the)) a training program, pilot trainees may elect to
change from a stipend to nonstipend status, and vice versa,
during ((the)) a training program. ((The)) In the Puget Sound
district the stipend paid to pilot trainees shall be six
thousand dollars per month (or such other amount as may be set
by the board from time to time), shall be contingent upon the
board's setting of a training surcharge in the tariffs levied
pursuant to WAC 363-116-185 and 363-116-300 sufficient to
cover the expense of the stipend and shall be paid from a
pilot training account as directed by the board and pursuant
thereto shall be paid to pilot trainees as set forth below:
In the Grays Harbor district the stipend paid to pilot trainees shall be determined by the board and shall be contingent upon the board's setting of a training surcharge in the tariffs levied pursuant to WAC 363-116-185 sufficient to cover the expense of the stipend and shall be paid from a pilot training account as directed by the board and pursuant thereto shall be paid to pilot trainees as set forth below:
(i) Determinations as to stipend entitlement will be made on a full calendar month basis and documentation of trips will be submitted to the board by the fifth day of the following month. The stipend will be paid on an all or nothing basis for each month except that prorations shall be allowed at the rate of two hundred dollars per day (or such other amount as may be set by the board from time to time), under the following circumstances:
(A) For the first and last months of ((the)) a training
program (unless the training program starts on the first or
ends on the last day of a month); or
(B) For a pilot trainee who is deemed unfit for duty by a board-designated physician during a training month; or
(C) For a pilot trainee who requests a change from a nonstipend status to a stipend status, or from a stipend status to a nonstipend status as set forth in (a)(vi) of this subsection.
(ii) ((A certain)) In the Puget Sound district a minimum
((number)) of eighteen trips are required each month for
eligibility to receive the stipend. ((This minimum number
shall be specified in the training program and shall be)) In
the Grays Harbor district the minimum number of trips each
month for eligibility to receive the stipend is fifty percent
of the total number of ((trips required in the training
program divided by the number of months in the training
program)) vessel movements occurring in the district during
that month. Only trips required by the training program can
be used to satisfy ((this)) these minimums. Trips will be
documented at the end of each month.
(iii) It is the pilot trainee's responsibility to make all hard-to-get trips before the end of the training program. If a training program is extended due to a failure to get all of these trips, the board may elect not to pay the stipend if the missing trips were available to the pilot trainee but not taken.
(iv) The trainee evaluation committee with approval by
the board may allocate, assign or specify training trips among
multiple pilot trainees. Generally, the pilot trainee who
((finished the qualifying examination and simulator evaluation
with the highest score)) entered his/her training program
earlier has the right of first refusal of training trips
provided that the trainee evaluation committee may, with
approval by the board, allocate or assign training trips
differently as follows:
(A) When it is necessary to accommodate any pilot
trainee's initial ((evaluation program)) route;
(B) When it is necessary to spread hard-to-get trips among pilot trainees so that as many as possible complete required trips on time. If a pilot trainee is deprived of a hard-to-get trip by the trainee evaluation committee, that trip will not be considered "available" under (a)(ii) of this subsection. However, the pilot trainee will still be required to complete the minimum number of trips for the month in order to receive a stipend, and the minimum number of trips as required to complete his/her training program;
(v) If a pilot trainee elects to engage in any full- or part-time employment, the terms and conditions of such employment must be submitted to the trainee evaluation committee for prior determination by the board of whether such employment complies with the intent of this section prohibiting employment that "prevents (pilot trainees) from devoting themselves on a full-time basis to the completion of the training program."
(vi) If a pilot trainee requests to change to a nonstipend status as provided in this section such change shall be effective for a minimum nonstipend period of thirty days, provided that before any change takes effect the board and the pilot trainee must agree in writing on the terms of a revised training program.
(b) Any approved pilot association or other organization collecting the pilotage tariff levied by WAC 363-116-185 or 363-116-300 shall transfer the pilot training surcharge receipts to the board at least once a month or otherwise dispose of such funds as directed by the board. The board may set different training stipends for different pilotage districts. Receipts from the training surcharge shall not belong to the pilot providing the service to the ship that generated the surcharge or to the pilot association or other organization collecting the surcharge receipts, but shall be disposed of as directed by the board. Pilot associations or other organizations collecting surcharge receipts shall provide an accounting of such funds to the board on a quarterly basis or at such other intervals as may be requested by the board. Any audited financial statements filed by pilot associations or other organizations collecting pilotage tariffs shall include an accounting of the collection and disposition of these surcharges. The board shall direct the disposition of all funds in the account.
(11) Trainee evaluation committee. There is hereby created a trainee evaluation committee (TEC) to which members shall be appointed by the board. The committee shall include at a minimum: Three active licensed Washington state pilots, who, to the extent possible, shall be from the district in which the pilot trainee seeks a license and at least one of whom shall be a member of the board; one representative of the marine industry from the relevant pilotage district (who may be a board member) who holds, or has held, the minimum U.S. Coast Guard license required by RCW 88.16.090; and one other member of the board who is not a pilot. The committee may include such other persons as may be appointed by the board. The committee shall be chaired by a pilot member of the board and shall meet as necessary to complete the tasks accorded it. In the event that the trainee evaluation committee cannot reach consensus with regard to any issue it shall report both majority and minority opinions to the board.
(12) Training pilots. The board shall designate as training pilots those pilots with a minimum of seven years of piloting in the relevant district who are willing to undergo such training as the board may require and provide. The board may establish a lower experience level for the Grays Harbor pilotage district. Training pilots shall receive such training from the board to better enable them to give guidance and training to pilot trainees and to properly evaluate the performance of pilot trainees. The board shall keep a list of training pilots available for public inspection at all times. All pilot members of the trainee evaluation committee shall also be training pilots.
(13) Evaluation. When a pilot trainee pilots a vessel
under the supervision of another pilot, the supervising pilot
shall, to the extent possible, communicate with and give
guidance to the pilot trainee in an effort to make the trip a
valuable learning experience. After each such trip, the
supervising pilot shall complete a form provided by the board
evaluating the pilot trainee's performance. Evaluation forms
prepared by licensed pilots who are not training pilots shall
be used by the trainee evaluation committee and the board for
assessing a pilot trainee's progress, providing guidance to
the pilot trainee and for making alterations to ((the)) a
training program. The use of evaluation forms prepared by
licensed pilots who are not training pilots shall be
appropriately weighed by the board and TEC when making
licensing decisions. All evaluation forms shall be delivered
or mailed by the supervising pilot to the board. They shall
not be given to the pilot trainee. The supervising pilot may
show the contents of the form to the pilot trainee, but the
pilot trainee has no right to see the form until it is filed
with the board. The trainee evaluation committee shall review
these evaluation forms from time to time and the chairperson
of the trainee evaluation committee shall report the progress
of all pilot trainees at each meeting of the board. If it
deems it necessary, the trainee evaluation committee may
recommend, and the board may make, changes from time to time
in the training program requirements applicable to a pilot
trainee, including the ((length)) number of ((the)) trips in a
training program.
(14) Termination of and removal from a training program. A pilot trainee's program may be immediately terminated and
the trainee ((may be)) removed from ((the)) a training program
by the board if it finds any of the following:
(a) Failure to maintain the minimum federal license required by RCW 88.16.090;
(b) Conviction of an offense involving drugs or involving the personal consumption of alcohol;
(c) Failure to devote full time to training in the Puget Sound pilotage district if receiving a stipend;
(d) The pilot trainee is not physically fit to pilot;
(e) Failure to make satisfactory progress toward timely
completion of the program or timely meeting of interim
performance requirements in ((the)) a training program;
(f) Inadequate performance on examinations or other
actions required by ((the)) a training program;
(g) Failure to ((demonstrate the superior skills required
in)) complete the initial ((evaluation)) route requirements
specified in subsection (5) of this section within the time
periods specified;
(h) Inadequate, substantial, or inconsistent performance in a training program and/or on training trips as determined by the supervising pilots, the TEC and/or the board; or
(i) Violation of a training program requirement, law, regulation or directive of the board.
(15) Completion of ((the)) a training program shall
include the requirement that the pilot trainee:
(a) Successfully and timely complete the requirements set forth in the training program;
(b) Possess a valid first class pilotage endorsement without tonnage or other restrictions on his/her United States government license to pilot in all of the waters of the pilotage district in which the pilot applicant seeks a license; and
(c) Successfully complete any local knowledge examination(s) required by the board and specified in the training program.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW. 10-04-100, § 363-116-078, filed 2/3/10, effective 3/6/10. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-078, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.105. 06-20-107, § 363-116-078, filed 10/4/06, effective 11/4/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-078, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05.]
(a) The written examination(s);
(b) The simulator evaluation;
(c) The pilot training program, as determined by the board;
(d) A physical examination; and
(e) Tendered the license fee stipulated in WAC 363-116-070.
(2) A majority of board members in attendance at a meeting where licensing of an applicant is scheduled for consideration, shall pass on the issuance of a pilot license. Pilot licenses shall be signed by the chairperson or his/her designee.
(3) At the time of completion of ((the)) a training
program as provided in WAC 363-116-078 and at the time of
consideration for licensing, all applicants must provide a
copy of his/her U.S. master license required by RCW 88.16.090
with a first class U.S. pilotage endorsement without tonnage
or other restrictions on that U.S. master license to pilot in
all of the waters of the pilotage district defined in RCW 88.16.050 in which the applicant desires to be licensed and an
endorsement on that U.S. master license as a radar observer
(unlimited); and a certificate representing competency in
automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA).
(4) No person shall be licensed by the board who has been convicted of an offense involving drugs or the personal consumption of alcohol in the twelve months prior to the date of application. This restriction shall not apply to license renewals.
(5) After completion of ((the)) a training program the
trainee evaluation committee shall review the evaluations and
the pilot trainee's performance on other required aspects of
the training program and make a recommendation to the board
that the pilot trainee is: Suitable for licensing; not
suitable for licensing; or, in need of more training and
further evaluation. The board shall consider such
recommendation and may: Issue the license if there is a need
for a pilot in the relevant district; require more training
for the pilot trainee if necessary; deny a license if it finds
that the pilot trainee should not be licensed; or, delay the
issuance of a license, if there is no need for a pilot at that
time in the relevant district. If the board delays the
issuance of a license, it may prescribe additional training
trips for the pilot trainee and continue the pilot trainee in
the training program. The criteria to be followed by the
board in issuing or denying licenses shall include, but not be
limited to: Performance in the training program; piloting and
ship handling and general seamanship skills; local knowledge;
and, bridge presence and communication skills.
(6) If two or more pilot trainees are deemed qualified by the board for issuance of a license at the same meeting of the board, the pilot trainee with the highest combined score on the initial written examination and simulator evaluation shall be licensed first.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-080, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05. Recodified as § 363-116-080. 97-08-042, filed 3/28/97, effective 3/28/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.035(2). 92-14-070, § 296-116-080, filed 6/26/92, effective 7/27/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.090(2). 90-23-080, § 296-116-080, filed 11/20/90, effective 12/21/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.090. 89-18-045 (Order 89-7, Resolution No. 89-7), § 296-116-080, filed 8/31/89, effective 10/1/89; 88-10-037 (Order 88-9, Resolution No. 88-9), § 296-116-080, filed 5/3/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.035. 86-07-010 (Order 86-2, Resolution No. 86-2), § 296-116-080, filed 3/10/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.090. 82-15-028 (Order 82-7, Resolution No. 82-7), § 296-116-080, filed 7/14/82; 81-21-019 (Order 81-4, Resolution No. 81-4), § 296-116-080, filed 10/13/81. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.035. 80-03-081 (Order 79-6, Resolution No. 79-6), § 296-116-080, filed 3/4/80; 79-11-063 (Order 79-5, Resolution No. 79-5), § 296-116-080, filed 10/18/79; 79-05-023 (Order 79-2, Resolution No. 79-2), § 296-116-080, filed 4/17/79; Order 75-8, § 296-116-080, filed 3/10/75; Order 73-6, § 296-116-080, filed 5/11/73; Order 2-68, § 296-116-080, filed 11/1/68; § 8, effective 11/25/58.]
(2) A pilot applicant who takes either a written examination as provided in WAC 363-116-076 or a written local knowledge examination as provided in WAC 363-116-078 that cannot be retaken may submit a written protest regarding any such examination for review by the board and/or a committee designated by the board and/or by a firm under contract with the board for development and grading of the written examination. The standard of review for reviewing the written examination protests submitted by a pilot applicant is that the written examination score will not be set aside unless the pilot applicant proves the challenged score was the result of fraud, coercion, arbitrariness or manifest unfairness. If it finds that reasonable cause exists to question a written examination grade, the board may allow a pilot applicant protesting his/her written examination results to enter the simulator evaluation. If the pilot applicant chooses to enter the simulator evaluation before the pilot applicant receives notification of the result of the review of his/her Protest Form the pilot applicant shall be at all times responsible for the charge to enter the simulator evaluation. No pilot applicant approved by the board for entry into the simulator evaluation shall be disqualified by the successful examination appeal of another pilot applicant. Pilot applicants are not entitled to a review of the results of a written local knowledge examination given pursuant to WAC 363-116-078 if the pilot applicant is eligible to retake the written examination.
(3) The procedure for submitting a protest regarding the written examination or a written local knowledge examination that cannot be retaken is as follows:
(a) The pilot applicant must submit a protest in writing to the person administering such examination on the day that the pilot applicant takes such examination and before the pilot applicant leaves the examination room;
(b) On the day of such examination the pilot applicant will be provided a Protest Form by the person(s) administering such examination at the time that documents for taking such written examination are given to the pilot applicant;
(c) In defense of his/her written examination answers and in support of the pilot applicant's reasons for protesting a question or questions, the pilot applicant must write on the Protest Form the reason(s) why he/she protests a question or questions, what the pilot applicant claims is the correct answer to the protested question(s), and if a protested question(s) involves mathematical calculations provide the calculations that the pilot applicant claims are correct;
(d) If there are protests regarding improprieties including but not limited to the administration and proctoring of the examination, these assertions must be documented in writing with sufficient detail naming times, people, places, protested activities and witnesses to permit the board to conduct an investigation;
(e) The pilot applicant will be identified only by number or letter for the purpose of review of the Protest Form;
(f) The pilot applicant shall submit his/her Protest Form at the same time that he/she submits the answer sheet for such written examination to the examination administrator.
(4) The procedure for review of the Protest Form submitted by the pilot applicant is as follows:
(a) The board, and/or a committee designated by it, and/or a firm under contract with the board for development and grading of the written examination will review the written examination and Protest Form completed by the pilot applicant; and
(b) After completion of such review the pilot applicant will be provided with written notification of the decision regarding review of the Protest Form submitted by the pilot applicant. The written notification will show any adjusted credits and scores for any answers that have been changed following such review.
(5) A pilot applicant who is not satisfied with the result of such review of his/her Protest Form may request an adjudicative hearing pursuant to RCW 88.16.090 and governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW to appeal his/her written examination results. Such hearing must be requested within thirty days of receipt of the result of the review of the Protest Form by sending a written request for an adjudicative hearing to the board of pilotage commissioners' office. The grounds and issues for the adjudicative hearing and any further appeal shall be limited to the following:
(a) Was the administrative protest procedure set forth in subsections (2) through (4) of this section followed?;
(b) Was the examination conducted in accordance with accepted psychometric and industrial/organizational psychology principles as determined by an expert in these fields of study?;
(c) Was the examination "job related" as determined by an expert in these fields of study?; and
(d) Was the examination, scoring, and appeal process validated by an expert in these fields of study?
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-083, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2005 c 26. 05-18-021, § 363-116-083, filed 8/29/05, effective 10/1/05. Recodified as § 363-116-083. 97-08-042, filed 3/28/97, effective 3/28/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 88.16.035. 88-10-038 (Order 88-10, Resolution No. 88-10), § 296-116-083, filed 5/3/88.]
(2) A pilot applicant who takes a simulator evaluation as provided in this chapter may request a review of his/her simulator evaluation results. This request must be in writing and must be received by the board within five business days of receipt of notification of the simulator evaluation results. The standard of review for reviewing the simulator evaluation results challenged by a pilot applicant is that the challenged evaluation score will not be set aside unless the pilot applicant proves the challenged score was the result of fraud, coercion, arbitrariness or manifest unfairness.
(3) The procedure for filing a request for review of the simulator evaluation is as follows:
(a) The pilot applicant must contact the board office for an appointment to appear personally to review his/her simulator evaluation;
(b) The pilot applicant will be provided a Review Form to complete in the board designated review location in defense of his/her simulator evaluation performance;
(c) In review of his/her simulator evaluation performance, the pilot applicant must demonstrate that his/her proposed evaluation of the simulator evaluation is correct;
(d) In review of his/her simulator evaluation performance, the pilot applicant must cite on the Review Form provided by the board, the specific situation(s) presented in the simulator evaluation (i.e., crossing, passing, meeting situations, environmental changes like fog descending, navigational decisions and/or rules-of-the-road interpretations) and detail why the actions he/she took in that situation should receive more credit than that which was given, to demonstrate that his/her score on the simulator evaluation provided by the board is incorrect;
(e) Only the recorded performance of the pilot applicant will be considered in any review of the simulator evaluation performance. If there are assertions regarding improprieties in the administration, proctoring, grading or scoring of the simulator evaluations, these assertions must be documented in writing with sufficient detail naming times, people, places, protested activities and witnesses to permit the board to conduct an investigation;
(f) The pilot applicant will be identified only by number or letter for the purpose of this review;
(g) The board will make available to the pilot applicant reviewing his/her simulator evaluation a copy of his/her simulator evaluation performance; and
(h) At the completion of the review session, the pilot applicant will submit all the Review Forms to the board and return all materials used to review his/her simulator evaluation. The pilot applicant will not be allowed to take any notes or materials from the board designated review location upon leaving.
(4) The procedure for the board's review of the request for review of the simulator evaluation filed by the pilot applicant is as follows:
(a) The board, and/or a committee designated by it, and/or a firm under contract with the board for development and grading of the simulator evaluation will review the simulator evaluation and Review Form completed by the pilot applicant; and
(b) After completion of such review the pilot applicant will be provided with written notification of the decision regarding review of the Review Form submitted by the pilot applicant. The written notification will show any adjusted credits and scores for any answers that have been changed following such review.
(5) A pilot applicant who is not satisfied with the result of such review of his/her Review Form may request an adjudicative hearing pursuant to RCW 88.16.090 and governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW to appeal his/her simulator evaluation results. Such hearing must be requested within thirty days of receipt of the result of the review of the Review Form by sending a written request for an adjudicative hearing to the board of pilotage commissioners' office. The grounds and issues for the adjudicative hearing and any further appeal shall be limited to the following:
(a) Was the administrative protest procedure set forth in WAC 363-116-083 (2) through (4) followed?;
(b) Was the examination conducted in accordance with accepted psychometric and industrial/organizational psychology principles as determined by an expert in these fields of study?;
(c) Was the examination "job related" as determined by an expert in these fields of study?; and
(d) Was the examination, scoring, and appeal process validated by an expert in these fields of study?
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 88.16 RCW and 2008 c 128. 08-15-119, § 363-116-084, filed 7/21/08, effective 8/21/08.]