Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 88.16.105.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A pilot licensed in the Puget Sound pilotage district must complete certain familiarization/training trips at the expiration of his/her first license year in order to remove specified limitations from his/her state pilot license. These trip assignments require modifications relating to vessel gross tonnage and/or bridge and waterway transits.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The board will begin considering written and oral comments from persons who may be interested in the development of rule amendments as described above. Comments received will be considered by the board before proposed rules are published pursuant to a formal notice.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Peggy Larson, 801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104-1487, phone (206) 515-3904, FAX (206) 515-3969. Comments received will be considered by the board through June 11, 1998. Thereafter, the board will proceed with rule making.

May 1, 1998

Peggy Larson

Administrator