Oregon State Archives

Oregon Bulletin

January 1, 2011

Public Utility Commission,
Board of Maritime Pilots
Chapter 856

Rule Caption: Amends apprentice selection and training program requirements.

Adm. Order No.: BMP 2-2010

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-14-2010

Certified to be Effective: 12-14-10

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2010

Rules Amended: 856-010-0014

Subject: Amends apprentice training requirements to provide greater flexibility and requires previous maritime experience as a core apprentice program requirement.

Rules Coordinator: Susan Johnson—(971) 673-1530

856-010-0014

Pilot Trainee Selection and Apprentice Selection and Training Program

(1) Application for a Certificate as a Pilot Apprentice for the Columbia and Willamette River pilotage ground shall be made on a form provided by the Board.

(2) The Board of Maritime Pilots shall certify from among the eligible applicants the best qualified individual or individuals for apprenticeship. Selection shall be in accordance with selection criteria procedures, based upon numerical ranking, promulgated by the Board of Maritime Pilots.

(3) No more than two apprentices shall be in the apprenticeship program at any time. The Board shall accept new apprentices into training at intervals of two years or longer.

(4) Numerical ranking of apprentice applicants shall be based upon a 100-point system, with points for each of the following categories:

(a) Academic: Completion of a four-year course of study and receipt of a degree from an accredited maritime academy will be awarded 25 points.

(b) Previous Maritime Experience: Applicants shall be awarded 45 points based on federal licensure and a minimum of two years of actual experience as an officer in charge of a navigation watch while holding one or more of the following licenses:

(A) Master of Towing Vessels (Inland Waterways);

(B) Master of Towing Vessels (Ocean);

(D) Master, Vessels 1,600 Tons or Less;

(E) Chief or Second Mate on Vessels Greater than 1,600 Tons

(d) Interview: Every applicant shall be interviewed by the Board of Maritime Pilots. Each person interviewed shall be assigned from 0 to 25 points based upon objective scoring guidelines published by the Board of Maritime Pilots.

(5) The apprentice candidate with the highest point total shall be awarded a Certificate of Apprenticeship by the Board and enter the apprentice training program. Said Certificate shall terminate upon satisfactory completion of the apprentice training program or upon the termination of the apprentice for cause or resignation.

(6) Training and qualification of pilot apprentices are subject to the following provisions:

(a) The term of apprenticeship for every apprentice shall be a minimum of three years.

(b) The apprentice training and qualification program shall include the satisfactory completion of an Apprentice Training Course approved by the Board of Maritime Pilots. The apprentice training and qualification program shall consist of both the approved Apprentice Training Course and the term of apprentice training.

(c) Satisfactory completion of the Apprentice Training Course, as approved by the Board of Maritime Pilots, requires that the apprentice must have satisfactorily completed the following training activities:

(A) 500 vessel movements between Astoria and Portland or Vancouver under the supervision of state licensed pilots; and

(B) 500 vessel movements under the supervision of state licensed pilots between any two points on the pilotage grounds selected by the Course Monitor based upon an evaluation of the apprentice’s skills and training needs. Assignments under this subsection may include, but are not necessarily limited to, transits between Astoria and Portland or Vancouver.

(C) Up to 30 days of industry-related training that the Course Monitor, in his or her discretion, may assign based upon the Course Monitor’s evaluation of the apprentice’s skills and training needs. Each day of training assigned under this subsection shall be substituted for a vessel movement otherwise required under subsection (B) above.

(d) In order to satisfactorily complete this training course, every apprentice must ride with a majority of the pilots, on every route, day and night, ebb and flood tides, and on every size category of vessel calling at the port. The curriculum of the approved course requires that apprentices learn to direct the movement of vessels, apply the proper rules of the nautical road and other maritime procedures, and interface and coordinate with other affected vessels and facilities.

(e) During each vessel movement to which the apprentice is assigned, the apprentice shall accompany the licensed pilot assigned to the vessel. The licensed pilot serves as the expert-master and interacts with the apprentice in observational and mastery learning process. The licensed pilot is obligated to interact with the apprentice to a degree sufficient to teach skills and impart information and to assess the apprentice’s progress during periods of “hands on” piloting by the apprentice under supervision by the pilot.

(f) The progress of every apprentice must be marked semi-annually during his or her term of apprentice training by the pilots with whom he or she has received instruction in the areas of: procedures, skillfulness, communications, and attitude.

(g) Every apprentice must receive satisfactory evaluations from the majority of the pilots and the Training Course Monitor during each semiannual progress report period. The Course Monitor shall semiannually advise each apprentice regarding his or her progress and shall also advise the Board of Maritime Pilots.

(h) Failure to make satisfactory progress during the Apprentice Training Course can result in the termination of the apprentice-training program for any apprentice at any point in the program by the Board of Maritime Pilots.

(i) The discovery that any apprentice fails to satisfy the physical requirements for federal licensure shall be just cause for the termination of any such apprentice, without regard to progress in the Apprentice Training Course.

(j) Upon satisfactory completion of the approved Apprentice Training Course, the apprentice will be awarded a Certificate of Completion by the designated Course Monitor.

(7) Satisfactory completion of the Apprentice Training Program requires that the apprentice obtain a federal First Class Pilot license for the grounds from Astoria to Portland and Vancouver. However, any federal licensure as a federal First Class Pilot obtained by any apprentice before the completion of the apprenticeship training and qualification program shall not terminate nor shorten the three-year minimum term of apprentice training.

(8) No person shall represent himself or herself as an apprentice unless he or she has been approved and certified as an apprentice by the Board of Maritime Pilots. No pilot shall be required to train any uncertified person on board any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the Board of Maritime Pilots. Any uncertified person posing as an apprentice aboard any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the Board of Maritime Pilots shall be considered in violation of ORS 776.405.

(9) Upon the successful completion of the minimum three year apprenticeship training and qualification program, including certification by the Course Monitor of satisfactory completion of the Apprentice Training Course, the pilots shall provide the Board of Maritime Pilots with the name and complete training record of every successful apprentice along with their recommendations regarding his or her prospective licensure by the Board.

(10) Nothing shall prohibit the Board of Maritime Pilots from periodically reviewing the progress of any apprentice undergoing training, and reviewing the progress reports on every apprentice that have been submitted by the pilots.

(11) Every person who successfully completes the Apprenticeship Training Course shall begin the regular pilot training program for Class C, Class B, Class A and Unlimited licenses, upon the opening of a position by either the anticipated retirement or resignation of a licensed pilot, or the Board-approved increase in the number of pilots.

(12) If no person has successfully completed the Apprenticeship Training Course at the time a need for a pilot trainee arises, then the Board shall appoint a person who meets the requirements of OAR 856-010-0010(2) and (4)(a), and who has been selected by the Board from qualified applicants pursuant to procedures and criteria set forth in subsections (13), (14), and (15) below.

(13) Applicants for trainee positions under subsection (12) above must submit their applications to the Board of Maritime Pilots on forms provided by the Board. When the board determines that a need for a trainee pursuant to subsection (12) exists, it shall select from among the eligible applicants the best qualified for training. Selection shall be based upon numerical ranking according to the point system set forth in subsection (14) below.

(14) Applicants for trainee positions under subsection (12) above shall be ranked based upon a point system, with points awarded for each of the following categories:

(a) Academic: Graduation from high school or equivalent certification: 10 points. Two or more years at an accredited college or university: five points. Post-graduate or professional degree: five points. Completion of a four-year course of study at an accredited maritime academy: 15 points. Maximum total points under this section are 25.

(b) Previous Maritime Experience and Licensure: First Class Pilot License from Tansey point, Oregon to Ryan Point, Washington on the Columbia River, and from Kelley Point, Oregon to the Ross Island Bridge on the Willamette River: 25 points. Federal pilotage endorsement on the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington to Pasco, Washington: five points. Federal unlimited radar observer endorsement: five points. 1,460 or more active working days as master of towing vessels on the Columbia River and tributaries: five points. Additional certified training in each of the following categories: Bridge Resource Management, Emergency Medical Training, Hazardous Materials, Marine Firefighting, Oil Spill Control: one point each, up to a maximum of five points. Maximum total points under this section are 45.

(c) Interview: Every applicant with a combined point total of 50 or more from points awarded under subsections (14)(a) and (14)(b), shall be interviewed by three or more members of the Board, provided at least one member is a public member, one member is a pilot member, and one member is a member engaged in the activities of a company that operates commercial ocean-going vessels. Each person interviewed shall be assigned from 0 to 35 points based on the interviewee’s poise and confidence, potential as an asset to the pilotage system, recommendations from within the maritime community, knowledge of trade and commerce on the Columbia River System, and such other factors as may be deemed relevant by the Board.

(15) Trainees selected by the Board shall be free to join the organization of pilots of their choosing upon completion of their training. No trainee may join an organization of pilots until after training is complete, except that trainees may associate with an organization of pilots on a provisional, temporary basis that ends upon receipt of an unlimited state pilot’s license. Any such provisional, temporary association between trainees and organizations of pilots shall not obligate the trainee to join any particular organization of pilots after training is complete.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 776.115

Stats. Implemented: ORS 776.115 & 776.300

Hist.: MP 3-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-16-95; MP 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 8-16-95; BMP 1-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-98; BMP 1-1999, f. & cert. ef. 2-19-99; BMP 1-2002, f. & cert. ef. 8-29-02; BMP 4-2008, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-08; BMP 2-2010, f. & cert. 12-14-10

Notes
1.) This online version of the OREGON BULLETIN is provided for convenience of reference and enhanced access. The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions. Use the OAR Revision Cumulative Index found in the Oregon Bulletin to access a numerical list of rulemaking actions after November 15, 2010.