HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2963

BYRepresentatives Cantwell, R. Fisher and Doty

Exempting certain motor vehicle carrying passenger vessels.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

Majority Report:  Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Wineberry, Vice Chair, Doty, Ranking Republican Member, Kirby, Moyer, Rasmussen, Rector and Youngsman.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives Kremen, Raiter, Schoon and Tate.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FEBRUARY 2, 1990.

BACKGROUND:

Certain vessels are required to have pilots aboard while in the Puget Sound Pilotage District.  These pilots must be approved and licensed by the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners.  The board of commissioners also sets pilotage tariffs for pilotage services performed.

Vessels excluded from the pilotage requirements include: (1) all enrolled vessels; (2) United States and Canadian vessels engaged exclusively in trading on the west coast; (3) any small passenger vessel or yacht, upon a petition and public hearing, that does not exceed 500 gross tons and 200 feet in length, and operates exclusively in the Puget Sound Pilotage District and lower British Columbia; and (4) vessels inbound or outbound from Canadian ports that have pilots from the Pacific Pilotage Authority (Canadian).

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A motor vehicle-carrying passenger vessel that is engaged in tourism is excluded from the Washington State pilotage requirements if: (1) the vessel is operated by a British Columbia limited corporation and the British Columbia government owns a portion of the shares of this limited corporation; (2) the vessel carries a pilot licensed by the Pacific Pilotage Authority (Canadian); (3) the vessel uses a Washington State pilot for at least six months; and (4) the vessel is operated exclusively between Seattle, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The following requirements are added for the exemption: (1) the vessel must be engaged in tourism; (2) the vessel must be piloted by a Washington State pilot for at least six months; (3) the vessel must have a licensed Canadian pilot on board; and (4) the vessel must travel exclusively between Seattle and Victoria.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 2, 1990.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Zeger vonAsch vonWyck, Executive Director, Port of Seattle; Claus Westberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, B. C. Stena Lines; and Jim Dwyer and Linda Christopherson, Bogle and Gates, for B. C. Stena Lines.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ron Wagner, Gary Cramer, and Mike Gavin, Port Angeles Pilots Association; and Dave Freiboth, Inland Pilots Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The ferry run between Seattle and Victoria is important for tourism.  Businesses in the Puget Sound would be adversely affected if B. C. Stena Line cannot continue the service with a larger vessel.  The Washington pilotage requirement is unnecessary because of the experience the crew has in sailing Puget Sound waters, and would be a significant financial burden to B. C. Stena Lines.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Exempting the vessel from Washington State pilotage requirements decreases safety because the vessel has a foreign (Swedish) flag.  This company will also compete indirectly with Washington State ferries on Puget Sound.