Code of Massachusetts Regulations
995 CMR - PILOT COMMISSIONERS: DISTRICT ONE
Title 995 CMR 2.00 - Pilotage Within District One
Section 2.17 - Candidate Training Program

Universal Citation: 995 MA Code of Regs 995.2

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1)

(a) The term of candidate training for every trainee shall be a minimum of one year.

(b) While serving as trainee, the individual must:
1. on a regular basis working a normal work week, ride vessels with at least majority of the then Commissioned Pilots, on every route, and during ebb and flood tides, day and night, in various weather conditions, on various sizes and types of vessels, all to the extent feasible and consistent with the prevalent trade patterns in the port of Boston and vicinity. Trainee to keep log of such particulars as required in 995 CMR 2.17(2)(a) and submit to Commissioners upon request.

2. satisfactorily complete at least 120 round trips between Boston inner harbor and a point beyond the Graves;

3. satisfactorily complete at least 40 round trips to and from the area of Braintree, Hingham, Hull, Lynn, Quincy, Saugus and Weymouth.

4. satisfactorily complete at least 12 round trips to and from the area of Lynn and Saugus. These requirements may be made on the pilot boat in simulation of an actual passage;

5. for each transit, pilots are required to fill out a Trainee Evaluation Card. Cards to be retained by trainee and submitted to Commissioners on a monthly basis with a copy to be retained in the Pilot Office.

(c) During each vessel movement to which a trainee pilot is assigned, the Commissioned Pilot will be required, in addition to other normal pilotage duties, to assist the trainee pilot in observation, learning, and discipline and to teach skills and furnish information relevant to pilotage.

(d) Each Commissioned Pilot is required:
1. to observe each trainee during training voyages; and

2. to report to the Commissioners in writing at the conclusion of each six-month period of training the progress of said trainee and the potential of said trainee to become a fully Commissioned Pilot.

(e) Each trainee may be terminated from that status in the event that:
1. the trainee fails to satisfy physical or mental health requirements for a federal license or for a Commission; or

2. the trainee fails to obtain the requisite reports from Commissioned Pilots evidencing skill and potential to be a fully Commissioned Pilot which are satisfactory to the Commissioners.

(f) Upon successful conclusion of the required term as a trainee, a trainee shall be considered qualified to file application as a candidate for a Warrant Pilot Commission. As a trainee approaches the conclusion of their minimum one year training, they will be examined by the Pilot Commissioners and obtain the approval of the Boston Marine Society Trustees, in order that they can receive their Warrant Commission and begin work promptly. This is contingent upon receiving the final report required by 995 CMR 2.08(1)(i) and fully competing their minimum one year training.

(2) Warrant Pilot Training Program

(a) The term of Warrant Pilot shall be for a minimum of one year and no longer than 18 months.

(b) A Warrant Commission is non-renewable.

(c) Warrant Pilots are considered as acting in a probationary status.

(d) While serving as Warrant Pilot, the individual must:
1. work a schedule that satisfies the requirement 995 CMR 2.09(1)(c)

2. complete revalidation transits on the following vessel types:
a. No fewer than ten round trip transits on container vessels greater in size than those described in 995 CMR 2.15(2)

b. No fewer than ten round trip transits on passenger vessels greater in size than those described in 995 CMR 2.15(2)

c. Further transits as deemed necessary by the current working group of pilots. A petition identifying the need for additional training or revalidation shall be presented to and approved by the Commissioners. The Warrant will be notified of the petition within seven days of approval.

3. In the event that a Warrant Pilot is unable to complete the requirements identified in 995 CMR 2.17(2)(d) due to circumstances beyond their control (terminal closure, waterway closure, Act of God), the Boston Pilots and Commissioners will determine suitable and equivalent training and evaluation for the Warrant to complete in lieu of the aforementioned requirement.

(e) for each revalidation transit, the Branch Pilot of record is required to fill out a Trainee Evaluation Card. Cards are to be retained by the Warrant and submitted to Commissioners for application for raise in grade to Branch Pilot retain a current log of all revalidation transits that includes, but is not limited to:
1. vessel name and IMO number

2. vessel dimensions (including, but not limited to, Length Overall, Beam, Draft, Gross Tonnage)

3. vessel type

4. route travelled, times and dates

5. pilot of record

(f) During each vessel movement to which a Warrant Pilot is attending, the Branch Pilot of record will be required, in addition to other normal pilotage duties, to assist the Warrant Pilot in observation, learning, and discipline and to teach skills and furnish information relevant to pilotage.

(g) Each Commissioned Branch Pilot is required:
1. to observe each trainee during revalidation transits.

2. complete a Trainee Evaluation Card

(h) A Warrant Pilot's commission may be terminated if:
1. the Warrant fails to satisfy physical or mental health requirements for a federal license or for a Commission.

2. the Warrant fails to obtain the requisite reports from Commissioned Pilots evidencing skill and potential to be a fully Commissioned Pilot which are satisfactory to the Commissioners.

(i) Each Warrant is required to request a letter of competence from the current group of working Branch Pilots. The letter may be requested only upon satisfactory completion of no less than 80% of all required revalidation trips and after the completion tenth month as a Warrant Pilot. The letter of competence will require greater than 75% of the current Branch Pilots' approval in order to be considered a valid letter of competence by the Commissioners.

(j) Upon successful completion of the required minimum term as a Warrant and receipt of a valid letter of competence, a Warrant shall be considered qualified to file an application for a Branch Pilot Commission. As a Warrant approaches the conclusion of their required probationary period the Warrant will:
1. be examined by the Pilot Commissioners; and

2. obtain the approval of the Boston Marine Society Trustees.

(k) The requirement identified in 995 CMR 2.17(B)(7), will be scheduled and completed so as not to delay the transition from Warrant to Branch Pilot.

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