310.001 Purpose.—The Legislature recognizes that the waters, harbors, and ports of the state are important resources, and it is deemed necessary in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare to provide laws regulating the piloting of vessels utilizing the navigable waters of the state in order that such resources, the environment, life, and property may […]
310.0015 Piloting regulation; general provisions.— (1) Piloting is an essential service of such paramount importance that its continued existence must be secured by the state and may not be left open to market forces. (2) Because safety is the primary objective in the regulation of piloting by the state and because of the significant economies of scale in […]
310.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) “Vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. (2) “Pilot” means a licensed state pilot or a certificated deputy pilot. (3) “Board” means the Board of Pilot Commissioners. (4) “Port” means […]
310.011 Board of Pilot Commissioners.— (1) A board is established within the Division of Professions of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to be known as the Board of Pilot Commissioners. The board shall be composed of 10 members, to be appointed by the Governor, as follows: five members shall be licensed state pilots actively practicing […]
310.032 Oath of members of the board.—Immediately, and before entering upon the duties of said office, the members of the board shall take the constitutional oath of office and shall file the same with the Department of State; there shall thereupon issue to said member a certificate of his or her appointment. History.—s. 2, ch. 75-201; […]
310.042 Organization of board; meetings.— (1) Immediately after the appointment and qualification of its members, the board shall meet and organize. Said board shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair from its membership. Members, while attending official board meetings, shall receive per diem and mileage, as specified in s. 112.061, from their place of residence […]
310.051 Personnel; employment.— (1) The department may appoint or employ such personnel as may be necessary to assist the department and the board in doing and performing any and all of the powers, duties, and obligations set forth in this chapter. Such personnel need not be licensed state pilots or members of the board. Such personnel shall […]
310.061 State pilots; number; cross licensing.—The board shall determine the number of pilots based on the supply and demand for piloting services and the public interest in maintaining efficient and safe piloting services. Based on the economic conditions of the port, the board may adopt rules authorizing cross licensing between ports, if this will best serve […]
310.071 Deputy pilot certification.— (1) In addition to meeting other requirements specified in this chapter, each applicant for certification as a deputy pilot must: (a) Be at least 21 years of age, as evidenced by a copy of a birth certificate or other legal proof of age. (b) Have successfully completed 12 years of formal education, as evidenced by […]
310.073 State pilot licensing.—In addition to meeting other requirements specified in this chapter, each applicant for license as a state pilot must: (1) Be at least 21 years of age, as evidenced by a copy of a birth certificate or other legal proof of age. (2) Have successfully completed 12 years of formal education, as evidenced by a […]
310.075 Deputy pilot training program.—The licensed state pilots in each port shall submit to the board for its approval a deputy pilot training program of not less than 2 years’ duration, applicable to all deputy pilots appointed to serve at such port. The following requirements constitute the parameters within which deputy pilot training programs are to […]
310.081 Department to examine and license state pilots and certificate deputy pilots; vacancies.— (1) The department shall examine persons who file application as state pilot in all matters pertaining to the management of vessels and in regard to their knowledge of the channels, waters, harbors, and port where they wish to serve, and, if upon examination to […]
310.091 Powers of the department.—In addition to all other powers conferred by this chapter, the department shall have the following powers: (1) To issue a license as a state pilot or a certificate as a deputy pilot to a qualified applicant who passes the examination conducted by the department. (2) In the course of any investigation, to issue […]
310.101 Grounds for disciplinary action by the board.— (1) Any act of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence, or incompetence; any willful violation of any law or rule, including the rules of the road, applicable to a licensed state pilot or certificated deputy pilot; or any failure to exercise that care which a reasonable and prudent licensed state […]
310.102 Treatment programs for impaired pilots and deputy pilots.— (1) The department shall designate approved treatment programs for impaired pilots and deputy pilots under this section. The department may set forth appropriate criteria for approval of treatment providers. (2) The department shall retain one or more impaired practitioner consultants as recommended by the committee. A consultant shall be […]
310.111 Marine incident reports.—Each collision, grounding, stranding, or other marine peril sustained or caused by a vessel on which there was employed a licensed state pilot or certificated deputy pilot shall be reported to the office of the board or the piloting consultant within 48 hours of the occurrence. In addition, a written report shall be […]
310.1112 Motor vehicle reports.—Each licensed state pilot or certificated deputy pilot shall have a duty to report within 48 hours any jurisdiction’s revocation or suspension of, or any action against, that pilot’s or deputy pilot’s license to operate a motor vehicle under circumstances involving alcohol or drugs. The jurisdiction’s acceptance of a relinquishment of license, stipulation, […]
310.1115 Bridge electronic navigation protection equipment; duty of pilot.— (1) When a piloted vessel passes under a bridge located in a harbor, in the approaches to a harbor, or in a river, and when electronic navigation protection equipment is available, it is the duty of the pilot or certificated deputy pilot on board to use the electronic […]
310.121 Application, examination, and biennial fees.— (1) The department shall, in accordance with rules set by the board, assess and collect the following fees: (a) A fee not to exceed $300 for each application for licensure as a state pilot or certification as a deputy pilot. This fee shall be nonrefundable. (b) A fee not to exceed $300 for […]
310.131 Assessment of percentage of gross pilotage.—The department shall assess the licensed state pilots in the respective ports of the state a percentage of the gross amount of pilotage earned by such pilots during each year, which percentage will be established by the board not to exceed 2 percent, to be paid into the Professional Regulation […]
