Pennsylvania Code
Title 4 - ADMINISTRATION
Part XIII - NAVIGATION COMMISSION FOR THE DELAWARE RIVER AND ITS NAVIGABLE TRIBUTARIES
Chapter 405 - PILOTS AND PILOTAGE
Section 405.4 - Examination for sixth-class license

Universal Citation: 4 PA Code ยง 405.4

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 38, September 21, 2024

(a) The Commission will designate at least three first-class pilots to conduct or develop an oral or written examination of an applicant for a sixth-class pilot's license for the purpose of ascertaining the applicant's fitness to perform the duties of a pilot. The Commission will fix the date, time, manner and place of the examination.

(b) Applicants for a sixth class license shall pass an initial written examination that is comprised of the following four parts:

(1) Rules of the road.

(2) Chart work.

(3) Shiphandling and anchoring.

(4) Local knowledge.

(c) A passing grade on the parts in subsection (b)(1) and (2) is 90%, and a passing grade on the parts in subsection (b)(3) and (4) is 80%. The written examinations will consist of at least 50 questions on each part except chart work. Applicants who do not attain a passing score on any part of the initial exam shall be given another written examination on that part that the applicant did not pass. If an applicant fails to pass the second written examination on any part, the applicant shall be given a third written examination on that part that the applicant did not pass. When an applicant is unable for a medical reason, such as dyslexia, to successfully pass two different written examinations, the Commission may approve an oral administration of the examination. After three examinations, the Commission may determine if additional examination opportunities will be provided to any applicant. The examination for a sixth-class pilot's license may consist of the following topics:

(1) Inland and pilot rules.

(2) Aids to navigation.

(3) Courses, distances and distances passed abeam at change of course points between given points.

(4) Important and essential cable areas.

(5) Dredged channel widths and depths.

(6) Bridge signals, widths, regulations and closing periods.

(7) Ship handling, docking problems, seamanship by actual observation, use of tow boats and anchors.

(8) Regulations of the Commission.

(9) Anchorage locations.

(10) Duties of a pilot.

(11) Relationship between master and pilot.

(12) Practical operation and use of marine radar, including use of maneuvering board.

(13) Currents and tides.

(14) Dock headings, lengths, depths of water alongside, pier locations and berth numbers.

(15) United States Government Public Health Quarantine regulations.

(16) Prohibited areas, restricted areas, explosive anchorages.

(17) Chart knowledge, including chart symbols and abbreviations.

(18) Use of navigational and bridge instruments.

(19) Engine order and rudder commands for the following:
(i) United States Merchant vessels.

(ii) United States Naval vessels.

(iii) Foreign flag merchant vessels.

(20) Ranges for determining error in channel ranges.

(d) Each oral examination shall be tape-recorded, and the original copy of the recording shall be filed with the Commission as part of its permanent records. If a written examination is given, the original copy of the written examination shall be filed with the Commission as part of its permanent records.

This section cited in 4 Pa. Code § 405.7 (relating to qualifications for license).

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