California Code of Regulations › Title 7 - Harbors and Navigation › Division 2 - State Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun › Article 4 - Training Programs › Section 213 - Pilot Trainees

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a)
				This section applies only to persons not previously licensed by the Board or
				otherwise exempt from such program by the Code.
(b) It is Board policy, through an effective
				selection process, to provide opportunity for progressive development and
				advancement of qualified maritime personnel to State licensed pilots in
				accordance with statutory requirements.
(c) State licensed pilots hold key positions
				in the safe passage of shipborne commerce in the waters under the Board's
				jurisdiction. They must exemplify the highest standards of leadership,
				professionalism and personal integrity. Mariners selected for the training
				program must demonstrate that they are fully capable of meeting demands of
				accountability and responsibility associated with such positions. The vital
				role of appropriately trained pilots in safety of navigation upon these waters
				cannot be overemphasized.
(d) The
				Board in selecting applicants to participate in the Pilot Trainee Training
				Program adheres to equal opportunity precepts. All applicants meeting minimum
				eligibility requirements as provided herein shall receive consideration without
				regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, lawful political
				affiliation, physical handicap (within the limitations set by the Merchant
				Mariner Medical Manual, marital status, membership or non-membership in any
				employee organization, or any other personal condition unrelated to the
				applicant's basic ability to perform satisfactorily as a pilot trainee and as a
				pilot.
(e) To meet minimum
				eligibility requirements, each applicant must:
(1) Possess a current, valid federal license,
				with an unlimited radar endorsement, either as master of vessels of not more
				than 1600 gross tons or as master of vessels of any gross tons;
(2) Be of good mental and physical health and
				of good moral character;
(3)
				Provide documentation, consisting of either (1) certificates of discharge or
				(2) declarations complying with Code of Civil Procedure section
				2015.5
				by both the applicant and the person verifying the experience, that
				demonstrates performance as master for:
(A)
				one year in command of a self-propelled vessel in navigation of not less than
				1600 gross tons; or
(B) two years
				sailing in the capacity of Chief Mate of a self-propelled vessel in navigation
				of not less than 1600 gross tons and holds a master's license of any gross
				tons; or
(C) one year as a
				full-time commercial pilot, not a member of the crew, directing and controlling
				the movement of vessels of not less than 1600 gross tons in waters in which a
				pilot is required by state, federal or foreign law, and holds, at a minimum, a
				valid federal license, with an unlimited radar endorsement, as master of
				vessels of not more than 1600 gross tons; or
(D) two years in command of either (1) a
				towing vessel of not less than 50 gross tons engaged in ship assist or in bay
				or ocean towing, or (2) a towing vessel of less than 50 gross tons in which the
				combined gross tonnage of the towing vessel and the vessel(s) towed is not less
				than 1600 gross tons.
(4)
				Demonstrate recency of experience as follows:
(A) For experience under subsection (3)(A),
				the year of command experience must have been within the four years immediately
				preceding the application cut-off date, and six months of the command
				experience must have been within the two years immediately preceding the
				application cut-off date.
(B) For
				experience under subsection (3)(B), the two years of Chief Mate experience must
				have been within the five years immediately preceding the application cut-off
				date, and one year of the Chief Mate experience must have been within the three
				years immediately preceding the application cut-off date.
(C) The recency requirements of subsections
				(4)(A) and (4)(B) above may be met by equivalent periods of service as a
				commercial pilot, not a member of the crew, directing and controlling the
				movement of vessels of not less than 1600 gross tons, or a combination of such
				command and piloting (non-concurrent) experience.
(D) For experience under subsection (3)(C),
				the year of serving as a full-time commercial pilot, must have been within the
				four years immediately preceding the application cut-off date, and six months
				of the experience must have been within the two years immediately preceding the
				application cut-off date.
(E) For
				experience under subsection (3)(D), the two years of command experience must
				have been within the five years immediately preceding the application cut-off
				date, and one year of the command experience must have been within three years
				immediately preceding the application cut-off date.
(5) Be able to communicate in concise and
				clear language using proper terminology for bridge team, bridge-to-bridge and
				bridge-to-shore communications in English.
(6) Not have had prior felony or drug
				convictions or be currently in violation of a court order to provide child or
				spousal support.
(7) Pay to the
				Board on submission of an application for admission to the Pilot Trainee
				Training Program an examination fee of $1,000 for participation in the written
				examination and bridge simulator exercise provided for in this section. The
				Board shall refund the entire fee to the applicant if the applicant does not
				take the written examination. If the applicant takes the written examination
				but does not participate in the simulator exercise, the Board shall refund $500
				of the examination fee to the applicant.