(1) Satisfactory completion of the Apprentice Training Course at Brunswick as approved by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, requires that the apprentice must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 360 days of training aboard vessels 1600 gross tons and over. This Course of instruction is approved by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to 46 CFR 10.307.
(2) General Curriculum Requirements:
(a) In order to satisfactorily complete this training course, every apprentice must solo, to the satisfaction of the majority of the supervising 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 required that apprentices learn to direct the movement of vessels, apply the proper rules of the nautical road and other maritime procedures; interface and coordinate with other affected vessels and facilities, and record certain information. 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 processes. The ultimate result of the training is marked by the satisfactory piloting of vessels under the supervision of the various pilots assigned to those movements without the need for those assigned pilots to offer coaching or verbal guidance. This accomplishment is termed a "solo".
(b) In addition to the above, 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:
1. Procedures;
2. Skillfulness;
3. Communications;
4. Attitude.
(c) Every apprentice must receive satisfactory grades from the majority of the pilots during each semi-annual progress report period. A 3.2 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, in every area of grading, is required as the minimal satisfactory grade. This minimal grade shall be obtained during the final progress report period in order for an apprentice to receive a certificate that he or she has satisfactorily completed this training course. The Course Monitor shall semiannually advise each apprentice regarding his or her progress and shall also advise the Commissioners.
(d) Failure to receive satisfactory grades 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 Commissioners.
(e) 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 the grades received in the Apprentice Training Course.
(3) Upon satisfactory completion of the approved Apprentice Training Course, the apprentice will be awarded a Certificate of Completion by the designated Course Monitor.
(4) 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 term of apprentice training.
(5) No person shall represent himself or herself as an apprentice unless he or she has been approved and certified as an apprentice by the Commissioners. No pilot shall be required to train any uncertified person on board any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioners. Any uncertified person posing as an apprentice aboard any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioners shall be considered in violation of Section 52-6-54 of the Georgia Code.
O.C.G.A. Secs. 52-6-11, 52-6-54.
