SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2281        FILED ON: 10/7/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2173

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the licensing of docking pilots.

Resolved, That there shall be within the executive office of public safety and security a special commission on the licensing of docking pilots. The commission shall consist of the secretary of public safety and security or his designee, who shall be the chair of the commission, the director of environmental police or his designee and 5 persons to be appointed by the chair, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Boston Harbor Docking Pilots, 1 of whom shall be a harbor pilot commissioned pursuant to chapter 103 of the General Laws, 1 of whom shall be a commissioner of pilots for district one and 2 of whom shall represent the interests of persons operating ships that utilize the services of docking pilots in district one. Of the 2 members representing the interests of persons operating ships that utilize the services of docking pilots, 1 shall be selected from a list of 3 names submitted to the chair by the Boston Marine Society and the other shall be selected from a list of 3 names submitted to the chair by the Boston Harbor Docking Pilots; provided, however, that the lists shall be provided to the chair not later than 15 days after a request therefor is made by the chair.

The commission shall conduct an investigation and study relative to the potential benefits of the licensing and oversight of individuals engaged as docking pilots. For the purposes of this resolve, a “docking pilot” shall be an individual who facilitates the docking, undocking and maneuvering of ocean-going ships through the direction and control of the ship being docked or undocked by the use of a tugboat or other assisting vessel. In conducting its investigation and study, the commission shall take into account both the type and level of United States Coast Guard licensing or certification of those pilots and the type and amount of experience necessary for such licensing or certification. The commission shall examine the need for providing an exemption from licensing requirements for pilots currently docking and undocking ocean-going ships in district one, subject to such other regulations as it deems appropriate.

The commission shall report the results of its investigation and study and its recommendations, if any, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives not later than May 1, 2010 who shall forward the same to the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on public safety and homeland security.

The secretary of public safety and security shall utilize the results of the investigation and study to promulgate rules and regulations for the licensing of docking pilots and shall take into account both the type and level of United States Coast Guard licensing or certification and the type and amount of experience as a docking pilot, as for such licensing.  The regulations shall provide for the exemption from licensing requirements of pilots currently docking and undocking ocean-going ships in district one.  The secretary shall promulgate the regulations not later than July 1, 2010 and the commission shall expire on July 1, 2010.