(1) A person who is not the license holder may operate a motorized or sailing vessel designated on the commercial whale watching license only if:

(a) The person holds a commercial whale watching alternate operator license issued from the department; and

(b) The alternate operator is designated on the underlying license.

(2) Only an individual at least sixteen years of age may hold an alternate operator license.

(3) Commercial whale watching license holders must maintain an accurate record with the department of designated alternate operators. The commercial whale watching license holder must confirm the utilization of a whale watching alternate operator and identify the alternate by entering the alternate's full name and date of birth in the business account through the commercial licensing system.

(4) An individual may hold only one alternate operator license. Holders of an alternate operator license may be designated on an unlimited number of commercial whale watching licenses.