61G14-11.008. Cross Licensing

Whereas the Board of Pilot Commissioners recognizes the unique circumstances which exist from time to time in the smaller ports of Florida, as well as the new innovative approaches to ship design which may open new areas of the State to sea-going vessels and thus require pilot service, and whereas the Board is compelled to act to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of the State of Florida and to insure the safe and efficient operation of such ports, the Board of Pilot Commissioners shall, when necessary to accomplish the foregoing, authorize limited cross licensing between or among ports as follows:

(1) Licensed state pilots shall be certified as deputy pilots in port other than the one for which they are licensed provided that:

(a) The pilot volunteers to become so certified;

(b) Economic conditions existing in one or both of the two ports are considered insufficient to support additional full time deputies or pilots;

(c) The licensed state pilot possesses the appropriate federal license for all of the waters of the port for which cross licensing is volunteered if such federal license is available. In non-designated ports or port areas where no federal license exists, or where pilots are unable to obtain federal endorsement, a state pilot shall be considered as satisfying the requirements for a federal first class pilotage endorsement if the conditions of Rule 61G14-11.009, F.A.C., are met; and,

(d) The licensed state pilot volunteering for cross licensing receives a score of at least 75% on the examinations consisting of the subject areas specified in paragraphs 61G14-11.003(1)(e) and (f), F.A.C.

(2) If a pilot, who has been designated, trained and cross licensed as a deputy in a second port, should elect to retire from the port in which he is a fully licensed pilot, he may retain the certificate as a deputy issued under this section and continue to provide supporting pilot service subject to all the provisions of subsection 61G14-11.008(5), Rule 61G14-12.0015, F.A.C., dealing with cross licensing, renewal and active service appropriate for the port.

(3) Licensed state pilots who comply with the provisions of subsection (1), above, and are cross licensed as certified deputies in a second port, are authorized to serve in that port:

(a) If requested to do so by a licensed state pilot in the second port;

(b) If the maritime interests of the port determine that they are receiving inadequate pilot service and petition the Board for relief, and the Board, after determining that relief is necessary, authorizes certificated deputies to serve to the extent necessary to provide relief, or

(c) If a vessel or vessels has been or will be delayed due to inadequate pilot service.

(4) Service provided under the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), above, is considered to be emergency service and, therefore, the draft restrictions of Rule 61G4-13.001, F.A.C., do not apply.

(5) After considering economic conditions, geographic location, and other pertinent factors, if the Board determines that the public interest requires it, the Board shall combine two or more of the port areas listed in Section 310.002(4), F.S. When such areas are combined the following provisions apply:

(a) All future advertisements for certificated deputies or licensed state pilots shall specify such openings are for the combined port areas; and,

(b) Applicants shall be examined for, and those appointed will be trained in, the combined port areas.

(6) When such port areas are combined, the licensed state pilots in one port who have previously been cross licensed as certificated deputy pilots may apply for a license as state pilot for the entire combined port area provided:

(a) They have been actively engaged, to the extent reasonably possible, in piloting or making observer trips in the second port area;

(b) They are recommended by the pilot(s) in the second port; and,

(c) Pilots in all the ports involved request such a combined license.

(7) When such port areas are combined, the certificated deputy pilots in one port may apply for and become certificated cross licensed deputy pilots for the other port areas, provided:

(a) The deputy pilot receives a score of at least 75% on the examination for the other port. The examination for the other port shall consist of the subject areas specified in paragraphs 61G14-11.003(1)(e) and (f), F.A.C.;

(b) The deputy pilot possesses the appropriate federal license for all of the waters of the other port in which the deputy pilot certificate is requested if such license is available. In non-designated ports or port areas where no federal endorsement exists, or where pilots are unable to obtain federal endorsement, the deputy pilot shall be considered to have satisfied the requirements for a federal first class pilotage endorsement if the conditions of Rule 61G14-11.009, F.A.C., are met; and,

(c) The deputy pilot is recommended by the pilot(s) in the other port and the deputy pilot agrees to enter the Board approved deputy pilot training program for the other port.

(8) Upon the recommendation of the pilot(s) in the cross licensed port or upon action by the Board if there is no licensed pilot in the cross licensed port, certificated cross licensed deputy pilots shall be issued a state pilot license for the cross licensed port area, provided the deputy pilot receives a score of at least 75% on the examination for the cross licensed port area consisting of the subject areas specified in paragraph 61G14-11.003(1)(e), F.A.C.

(9) For the purposes of piloting, the following ports are combined:

Jacksonville and Fernandina.

Rulemaking Authority 310.061, 310.185 FS. Law Implemented 310.061, 310.081, 455.217 FS. History–New 8-4-80, Amended 2-13-84, 9-13-84, Formerly 21SS-5.17, Amended 5-31-87, 6-20-89, 3-15-92, Formerly 21SS-5.017, 21SS-11.008, Amended 3-15-94, 2-22-95, 6-5-95, 3-15-99, 2-29-16, 2-20-18, 10-4-20.