Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making will amend the types of pilotage assignments subject to the requirement for 10 hours rest with the opportunity for eight hours of sleep after completion of an assignment. Puget Sound pilots recently implemented several measures to increase dispatching efficiency and pilot availability while observing state mandated rest rules. One of those measures is to allow a pilot to be dispatched to multiple assignments as long as the combined duration of the assignments does not exceed 13 hours. This rule-making initiative is to consider and codify that change.

Process for Developing New Rule: Discussions regarding proposed amendments to this rule will occur at regular session board of pilotage commissioners (BPC) meetings as well as BPC's pilot safety committee (PSC) meetings, with the initial language recommendation coming from PSC. Public comments are welcome and encouraged. Upon review and consideration of recommended revisions, a public hearing will be scheduled pursuant to formal notice requirements.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jaimie C. Bever, 2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500, phone 206-515-3887, fax 206-515-3906, email BeverJ@wsdot.wa.gov, website pilotage.wa.gov.