Code of Maine Rules
17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
387 - Maine Pilotage Commission
Chapter 1 - RULES AND REGULATIONS
Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024
SUMMARY: These Rules outline requirements for licensing, operations and safety, complaints, investigations, and discipline, and other general provisions.
DEFINITIONS
The following terms when used in these regulations shall be deemed to mean and include:
Administrator. The individual designated by the Commissioner of Transportation to provide coordination of administrative support for the Commission and/or the Complaint Officer.
Chair. The Chair of the Commission who shall be elected by the members of the Commission at their first meeting of each calendar year.
Commission. The Maine Pilotage Commission. In the case of reports or notifications to the Commission, it shall be interpreted as having been delivered to the Commission if provided to the Commission Administrator.
Complaint Officer. A member of the Commission designated by the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out the investigative and disciplinary functions set forth in these regulations. The Complaint Officer may use the Commission Administrator and other Department personnel to assist in discharging these duties.
Department. The State of Maine Department of Transportation.
Incompetence. Incompetence means the licensee has:
(1) engaged in conduct which evidences a lack of ability or fitness to discharge the duty owed by the licensee to a client or the general public; or
(2) engaged in conduct which evidences a lack of knowledge or inability to apply principles or skills to carry out the practice for which licensed.
Initial License. The license or endorsement considered to be the first for the geographic area under consideration to be distinguished from the renewal of licenses.
Low Volume Area: An area covered under the Maine Pilotage Commission Rules that requires pilotage but receives less compulsory pilotage vessel traffic than the defined minimum number of Training Trips per Maine Pilotage Commission Rule 17-387 Chapter 1 Part A.2 (Training Trips) counted on a rolling average over 5 years.
Misconduct. Misconduct is human behavior which violates some commonly accepted rule. Such rules are found in, among other places, statutes, regulations, the common law, the general maritime law, a ship's regulation or order, or shipping articles and similar sources. It is an act which is forbidden or a failure to do that which is required.
Negligence. Negligence is the commission of an act which a reasonable and prudent person of the same station, under the same circumstances, would not commit, or the failure to perform an act which a reasonable and prudent person of the same station, under the same circumstances,
would not fail to perform.
Pilot Stations. The location(s) where a pilot makes a rendezvous, for the purpose of boarding or
leaving a vessel that requires pilot services.
Pilotage Areas. Specific areas of the Maine coast where the Commission has established licensing requirements.
Reduced Visibility. Conditions that substantially reduce visibility during the majority of a transit including fog or storms.
Training Trips. Those trips made by an applicant acting for the purposes of gaining local knowledge and experience in ship handling within specific waters under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Recency. Training Trips and/or trips required to be undertaken by a licensed pilot in order to maintain a license.
Tug and Barge. A Tug and Barge is considered to be a single vessel for purposes of determining tonnage and accounting for Recency and Training Trips.
Pilotage Duties.When directing the movement of vessels entering or departing from any port or harbor pursuant to 38 M.R.S. §§85 et seq and these Rules, the responsibilities of a pilot licensed by the Commission include the maneuvering of such vessels during docking, undocking or changing berths, and while anchoring, mooring or unmooring at any offshore platform or buoy.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 38 MRS §90
