(a) To the extent permitted under federal and state law, persons licensed under this chapter may form organizations of pilots within each pilotage region established by the board.
(b) The board shall recognize pilot organizations that satisfy the minimum standards established by the board by regulation.
(c) A pilot organization recognized by the board shall
(1) promote a safe and reliable system of marine pilotage for the region in which the organization is recognized;
(2) provide for the dispatch of pilots who are members of the organization;
(3) adopt and revise rates for the provision of pilotage services not covered by an agreement under (e) of this section;
(4) subject to the membership application and approval provisions contained in the articles and bylaws of the organization, be open to membership by all persons licensed under this chapter to pilot vessels in the pilotage region in which the organization is recognized;
(5) operate or participate in a training program for pilots and deputy pilots that is approved by the board; a training program for deputy pilots may include a deputy marine pilot apprenticeship program approved by the board;
(6) cooperate with and assist the board in implementing this chapter;
(7) by February 1 of each year, submit a report to the board that includes information on the status of training and apprenticeship programs, the number of members of the pilot organization who are state residents, and other information requested by the board.
(d) A pilot organization recognized by the board may not begin operating until the articles, bylaws, and rules of the pilot organization are approved by the board on the basis of
(1) uniform and nondiscriminatory application of the articles, bylaws, and rules to marine pilots and deputy marine pilots licensed under this chapter and trainees for marine pilot licenses;
(2) compliance with applicable laws; and
(3) effectiveness in
(A) promoting an efficient, reliable, and professional marine pilotage system in the region;
(B) maintaining a sufficient number of qualified pilots available for dispatch to serve the needs of vessels visiting the region during each hour of the day and each day of the year to the extent that it is reasonably possible given the size of the membership of the pilot organization;
(C) promoting training programs for marine pilots and deputy marine pilots that are approved by the board.
(e) A pilot organization recognized by the board may enter into agreements with the master, owner, operator, or agent of a master, owner, or operator, of a vessel concerning the terms and conditions under which the pilot organization will provide pilotage services.
(f) A pilot organization recognized by the board shall dispatch a person who is licensed under this chapter and who is a member of the organization to provide pilotage services upon the request of a representative of a vessel required to employ a pilot under AS 08.62.160.