Section 33-4-34

Application for license, etc., to be in writing accompanied by certificate and affidavit; branching or licensing according to seniority.

A person, to be eligible to be branched or licensed as the next bar pilot, must meet the following criteria at the time of branching or licensing:

(1) Must be the senior apprentice, with seniority to be determined by date of satisfactory completion of all requirements to be a pilot except the written examination given by the State Pilotage Commission;

(2) Must be a citizen of the United States and of Alabama;

(3) Must be of good moral character;

(4) Must have completed satisfactorily all requirements of the apprenticeship; and

(5) Must hold and have the following current United States Coast Guard licenses and experience:

a. Either (i) an unlimited second mate of oceans license with one year's experience as third mate, or (ii) a master license of freight or motor vessel of 1,600 gross tons with one year's experience as master of vessels of at least 150 gross tons;

b. Either (i) three years' experience in a deck department capacity on one or more vessels navigating Mobile ship channel, or (ii) three years' experience at sea in a deck department capacity on oceangoing vessels of 1,600 gross tons or over, or (iii) be a graduate of a nationally recognized maritime academy holding a bachelor of science degree and have two years' experience at sea in a deck department capacity on oceangoing vessels of 1,600 gross tons or over; and

c. Must hold a first class federal pilot license for the Mobile ship channel;

(6) Must demonstrate, if required by the commission to do so, sufficient evidence of satisfactory experience in the safe navigation and handling of vessels, and must pass a practical demonstration to be administered by the active Mobile bar pilots licensed by the State Pilotage Commission showing their ability to safely pilot steam and motor vessels of unlimited tonnage and tugs with tows. The demonstration shall be deemed satisfactorily completed if two-thirds majority of the active Mobile Bay bar pilots licensed by the State of Alabama shall certify such successful completion;

(7) Must pass a written test administered by the commission; and

(8) Must make written application to be branched or licensed, accompanied by his or her affidavit that the applicant meets every statutory requirement to be branched;

(9) Must have been employed in a deck department capacity on steam or motor vessels navigating either inland waters or oceans for a majority of the last five years; and

(10) Must be a high school graduate.

(Acts 1931, No. 81, p. 154, §11; Code 1940, T. 38, §59; Acts 1961, Ex. Sess, No. 104, p. 2024, §4; Acts 1990, No. 90-630, p. 1154, §1.)