HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 624

BYRepresentatives Haugen, Schmidt, Zellinsky, Gallagher, Meyers and J. Williams 

Revising qualifications of pilots.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (26)

     Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Dellwo, Doty, Fisch, Fisher, Gallagher, Haugen, Heavey, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Schmidt, C. Smith, D. Sommers, Spanel, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, J. Williams, K. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION FEBRUARY 20, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Board of Pilotage Commissioners is charged with the responsibility for insuring that only qualified and well-trained individuals be licensed as Washington State pilots.  Regarding continuing training for those individuals holding state licenses, a provision of state law provides that the Board may establish additional training requirements as required to maintain a competent pilotage service.

All pilots and applicants are subject to an annual physical examination to ensure health standards sufficient to enable them to perform their pilotage duties.

For newly licensed state pilots, state law provides that the Board may prescribe, for the first two years of their license, certain size and type of vessel trips upon which they may serve.

A joint subcommittee of the House and Senate Transportation Committees reviewed the State Pilotage Act during 1986. Recommendations of that subcommittee related to revising the qualifications of pilots are set forth in the bill summary.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Board is directed to develop, in conjunction with the State Pilots Associations, a continuing education program for pilots.  The Board is authorized to prescribe vessel simulator training for a pilot applicant or a pilot during the first two years holding a limited license, as it deems appropriate to enhance that persons ability to perform pilotage duties.

The period for a limited license for a new state licensed pilot is extended from two to three years.  The Board is granted specific authority to govern the size and type of vessels which a newly licensed pilot may be assigned to and whether the assignment involves docking or undocking a vessel. Familiarization trips are required before a newly licensed pilot may pilot a larger or different type of vessel.

The Board is directed to determine within 90 days of a pilot's required physical examination, whether the pilot or applicant is fully able to carry out the duties of a pilot.

The Board shall prepare an annual report, including only accidents as defined by the Board, to be submitted to the Chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committees.  The Board is authorized to appoint advisory committees and to employ marine experts as necessary.

Obsolete language is deleted.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Language is added to provide 1) that copies of the Board's annual report go to the Transportation Committee Chairs, rather than the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; 2) that only accidents, as defined by the Board, be included in the Board's annual report; and 3) that the Board be authorized to appoint advisory committees and employ marine experts as necessary.  Technical changes are made.  (These changes were in HB 630, but were deleted from HB 630 and moved to HB 624 to avoid a double amendment to RCW 88.16.035.)

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Ralph White, Chairman, Board of Pilotage Commissioners; Robert Kroman, President, Port Angeles Pilots Association; Randy Ray, Puget Sound Steamship Operators.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     A continuing education program for pilots, utilizing simulators for pilot trainees, adding a third year to a pilot's limited license, and insuring that all pilots meet physical requirements improve pilotage in Washington State.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.