La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXX-9107

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LXX-9107 - Minimum Requirements, Applicants, Examination, Appointments

A. The pilot apprentice applicant shall be a graduate from either The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (deck curriculum), The U. S. Coast Guard Academy and qualified as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch, The U.S. Naval Academy and qualified as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch, The Great Lakes Maritime Academy (deck curriculum) or any other maritime academy approved by and conducted under rules prescribed by the Federal Maritime Administrator and listed at Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 310 . Five years of experience as master or commanding officer of naval vessels or merchant ships including USNS or MSC ships, ocean tugs, harbor tugs, integrated tug/barge units, or dredge ships may be substituted for the requisite educational requirement with approval of the board.

B. Candidates seeking to participate in a pilot apprentice training program shall hold a U.S. Coast Guard issued license authorizing service as master, steam or motor vessels of at least 1600 gross tons upon oceans or near coastal and be reasonably expected to be able to eventually comply with federal regulatory requirements specified at 46 CFR Subpart G; Professional Requirements for Pilot Licenses which are considered by the board to be minimum requirements for commissioning pilots under the board's jurisdiction. These requirements include time-in-service, route familiarization, examination, physical requirements, tonnage service requirements and capability to acquire and maintain knowledge of waters to be navigated. Prospective candidates of good character who meet the aforementioned requirements may submit applications evidencing these requirements to the Apprentice Pilot Review Committee, 4902 Ihles Road Lake Charles, LA 70605. A copy of the application shall also be submitted to the Board of Commissioners and Examiners, c/o Port of Lake Charles, P.O. Box 3753, Lake Charles, LA 70602. Applications should be accompanied by a personal rÉsumÉ, photograph, birth certificate, three letters of recommendation, health profile conducted by a recognized health professional evidencing probable ability to comply with 46 CFR 10.205(d) and a U.S. Coast Guard Information Release Form signed and notarized, in any format, to authorize personnel involved in the selection process to investigate and/or obtain applicant's records from the U.S. Coast Guard or from any other person or entity deemed appropriate, including but not limited to licenses, casualty involvement, or any disciplinary information. Applications will be kept on file until an opening for an apprentice pilot is anticipated, or a maximum of two years, unless updated. When the association anticipates openings for apprentice pilots, the Apprentice Pilot Review Committee will review all current applications and contact best-qualified selected applicants to appear for interviews. The Apprentice Pilot Review Committee, subsequent to reviewing applications and interviewing applicants, will present their findings and recommendations to association members for their vote on apprentice candidate acceptance. The board shall provide oversight and final approval over the pilot candidate application and selection process and shall approve and make recommendations to the governor for subsequently awarding pilot commissions.

C. Prior to being recommended for a state commission, applicants must have completed, and maintain current, Ship Handling Simulator courses and Bridge Resource Management courses and any other industry related courses that the association and examiners may deem relevant and necessary.

D. Qualified applicants desiring to become pilots shall not have reached their forty-fifth birthday before being accepted into the apprenticeship program and an applicant shall not be under the age of 30 when accepted as an apprentice.

E. A person applying for an appointment under this section shall not have been convicted of a felony offense involving either drugs or the personal consumption of alcohol in the 60 months prior to the date of application.

F. Applicants must submit to and pass a drug screen test prior to being accepted into the apprenticeship program and agree to participate in mandatory drug and alcohol-testing programs, required by 46 CFR 16 and conducted in compliance with 49 CFR 40.

G. Any signed obligation to abide by the charter, by-laws, rules and regulations of the association or of the Lake Charles Pilots, Inc. shall not be contrary to established rules and regulations of the board.

H. Applicants must serve an orientation period over the route, as an apprentice pilot, for not less than 12 months, which may be extended up to one additional year as may be determined by the board, if recommended by currently commissioned pilots who actively train any apprentice. If, after the one-year extension apprenticeship period, the applicant fails to meet the criteria and standards of the examiners, the said applicant shall be released from the apprenticeship program. The criteria and standards of the board include but are not limited to:

1. applicant's competency and display of good judgment;

2. regard for federal, state, and local laws and regulations;

3. fitness for the position and duties of a river pilot;

4. moral integrity, veracity, capability, and satisfactorily addressing any other such issues or questions brought by any responsible party to the attention of the board.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXX-9107

Promulgated by the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners and Examiners, Calcasieu River Waterway, LR 28:1478 (June 2002), amended LR 32:1444 (August 2006).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 34:1072.