WSR 15-08-013 PROPOSED RULES BOARD OF PILOTAGE COMMISSIONERS [Filed March 24, 2015, 10:53 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Proposal is exempt under RCW 34.05.310(4) or 34.05.330(1).
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 363-116-300 Pilotage rates for the Puget Sound pilotage district.
Hearing Location(s): 2901 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, Rainier Conference Room, Seattle, WA 98121, on May 14, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 14, 2015.
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 May 7, 2015.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shawna Erickson by May 11, 2015, (206) 515-3647.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rule reflects a range of across-the-board tariff adjustments between a decrease of twelve percent and an increase of twelve percent excluding the Training Surcharge Category and the Transportation to Vessels on Puget Sound Category. It is intended that the board have the ability to consider the options set out below to achieve the equivalency of any across-the-board tariff adjustment that the board deems appropriate within this range.
The following tariff elements include potential changes in tonnage charges on certain assignments and possible adjustments to the lower and upper tiers of tonnage charges. It is intended that the following potential adjustments be considered with any mix of tariff elements (a) through (e) providing options to achieve the decision on element number (1):
(1) An across-the-board change in all tariff charges excluding the Training Surcharge Category and the Transportation to Vessels on Puget Sound Category in the range of -12 percent to +12 percent; implemented as an across-the-board change or by any combination of the following elements:
(a) A minimum tonnage charge of $0 to $1,800 applicable to Zone I assignments not including Zone I assignments involving a second pilot;
(b) A minimum tonnage charge of $0 to $1,800 for Zone II and above assignments for vessels with less than 15,000 horsepower given the longer pilotage times involved;
(c) A change in the bottom tier of Tonnage Charges 0 to 20,000 gross tons to increase the maximum for this tier from the current $168 to achieve all or part of the board's general rate increase or decrease, shown as -12 percent to +50 percent;
(d) A change in the top tier of Tonnage Charges 50,000 gross tons and up to potentially offset increases in other categories; and
(e) Other adjustments in the tariff structure that could be made in addition, or as an alternative, to across-the-board charges, which are jointly raised by the parties in submissions subsequent to this filing.
Proposed new language inserted under the "Tonnage Charges" Category:
Notwithstanding the above tonnage charges, there shall be a minimum tonnage charge of $0 to $1,800 applied to:
(1) All LOA Zone I assignments other than assignments of an additional pilot(s) on ship movements involving more than one pilot jointly piloting the vessel; and
(2) All LOA Zone II and greater assignments for vessels rated at less than 15,000 horsepower or under tug escort.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Stakeholders Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Puget Sound pilots and the ports of Tacoma and Seattle are in support of this group of changes and have jointly presented it to the board for consideration.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 88.16 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 88.16.035.
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: Current rates for the Puget Sound pilotage district expire on June 30, 2015. New rates must be set annually.
The intent is to set a Puget Sound pilotage district tariff for the period July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016.
Name of Proponent: Puget Sound pilots, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, private.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Peggy Larson, 2901 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 515-3904; 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 proposed rule is being considered in the context of the required annual review of the rates charged for pilotage services.
The application of the proposed revisions is clear in the description of the proposal and its anticipated effects as well as the proposed tariff 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).
March 24, 2015
Peggy Larson
Executive Director
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 14-24-014, filed 11/20/14, effective 1/1/15)
WAC 363-116-300 Pilotage rates for the Puget Sound pilotage district.
Effective 0001 hours ((January)) July 1, 2015, through 2400 hours June 30, ((2015)) 2016.
Any tow exceeding seven hours, two pilots are mandatory. Harbor shifts shall constitute and be limited to those services in moving vessels from dock to dock, from anchorage to dock, from dock to anchorage, or from anchorage to anchorage in the same port after all other applicable tariff charges for pilotage services have been recognized as payable.
Waterway and Bridge Charges:
Ships up to 90' beam:
A charge of $((266.00)) 234.00 to $298.00 shall be in addition to bridge charges for any vessel movements both inbound and outbound required to transit south of Spokane Street in Seattle, south of Eleventh Street in any of the Tacoma waterways, in Port Gamble, or in the Snohomish River. Any vessel movements required to transit through bridges shall have an additional charge of $((127.00)) 112.00 to $142.00 per bridge.
Ships 90' beam and/or over:
A charge of $((361.00)) 318.00 to $404.00 shall be in addition to bridge charges for any vessel movements both inbound and outbound required to transit south of Spokane Street in Seattle and south of Eleventh Street in any of the Tacoma waterways. Any vessel movements required to transit through bridges shall have an additional charge of $((251.00)) 221.00 to $281.00 per bridge.
(The above charges shall not apply to transit of vessels from Shilshole Bay to the limits of Lake Washington.)
Two or three pilots required:
In a case where two or three pilots are employed for a single vessel waterway or bridge transit, the second and/or third pilot charge shall include the bridge and waterway charge in addition to the harbor shift rate.
Docking Delay After Anchoring:
Applicable harbor shift rate to apply, plus $((274.00)) 241.00 to $307.00 per hour standby. No charge if delay is 60 minutes or less. If the delay is more than 60 minutes, charge is $((274.00)) 241.00 to $307.00 for every hour or fraction thereof.
Sailing Delay:
No charge if delay is 60 minutes or less. If the delay is more than 60 minutes, charge is $((274.00)) 241.00 to $307.00 for every hour or fraction thereof. The assessment of the standby charge shall not exceed a period of twelve hours in any twenty-four-hour period.
Slowdown:
When a vessel chooses not to maintain its normal speed capabilities for reasons determined by the vessel and not the pilot, and when the difference in arrival time is one hour, or greater, from the predicted arrival time had the vessel maintained its normal speed capabilities, a charge of $((274.00)) 241.00 to $307.00 per hour, and each fraction thereof, will be assessed for the resultant difference in arrival time.
Delayed Arrival – Port Angeles:
When a pilot is ordered for an arriving inbound vessel at Port Angeles and the vessel does not arrive within two hours of its ETA, or its ETA is amended less than six hours prior to the original ETA, a charge of $((274.00)) 241.00 to $307.00 for each hour delay, or fraction thereof, shall be assessed in addition to all other appropriate charges.
When a pilot is ordered for an arriving inbound vessel at Port Angeles and the ETA is delayed to six hours or more beyond the original ETA, a cancellation charge shall be assessed, in addition to all other appropriate charges, if the ETA was not amended at least twelve hours prior to the original ETA.
Tonnage Charges:
0 to 20,000 gross tons:
Additional charge to LOA zone mileage of $((0.0084)) 0.0074 to $0.0126 a gross ton for all gross tonnage up to 20,000 gross tons.
20,000 to 50,000 gross tons:
Additional charge to LOA zone mileage of $((0.0814)) 0.0716 to 0.0912 a gross ton for all gross tonnage in excess of 20,000 gross tons up to 50,000 gross tons.
50,000 gross tons and up:
In excess of 50,000 gross tons, the charge shall be $((0.0974)) 0.0857 to $0.1091 per gross ton.
Notwithstanding the above tonnage charges, there shall be a minimum tonnage charge of $0.00 to $1,800.00 applied to:
(1) All LOA Zone I assignments other than assignments of an additional pilot(s) on ship movements involving more than one pilot jointly piloting the vessel; and
(2) All LOA Zone II and greater assignments for vessels rated at less than 15,000 horsepower or under tug escort.
For vessels where a certificate of international gross tonnage is required, the appropriate international gross tonnage shall apply.
Transportation to Vessels on Puget Sound:
(a) Intraharbor transportation for the Port Angeles port area: Transportation between Port Angeles pilot station and Port Angeles harbor docks - $15.00.
(b) Interport shifts: Transportation paid to and from both points.
(c) Intraharbor shifts: Transportation to be paid both ways. If intraharbor shift is canceled on or before scheduled reporting time, transportation paid one way only.
(d) Cancellation: Transportation both ways unless notice of cancellation is received prior to scheduled reporting time in which case transportation need only be paid one way.
(e) Any new facilities or other seldom used terminals, not covered above, shall be based on mileage x $2.00 per mile.
Delinquent Payment Charge:
1 1/2% per month after 30 days from first billing.
Nonuse of Pilots:
Ships taking and discharging pilots without using their services through all Puget Sound and adjacent inland waters shall pay full pilotage charges on the LOA zone mileage basis from Port Angeles to destination, from place of departure to Port Angeles, or for entire distance between two ports on Puget Sound and adjacent inland waters.
British Columbia Direct Transit Charge:
In the event that a pilot consents to board or deboard a vessel at a British Columbia port, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, the following additional charges shall apply in addition to the normal LOA, tonnage and other charges provided in this tariff that apply to the portion of the transit in U.S. waters:
Training Surcharge:
On January 1, 2011, a surcharge of $15.00 for each pilot trainee then receiving a stipend pursuant to the training program provided in WAC 363-116-078 shall be added to each pilotage assignment.
LOA Rate Schedule:
The following rate schedule is based upon distances furnished by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, computed to the nearest half-mile and includes retirement fund contributions.
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