04 NCAC 15 .0121             APPRENTICESHIP

(a)  In order to be considered for an appointment as an apprentice pilot, an applicant shall:

(1)           provide evidence of graduation from a maritime college or regionally-accredited four-year college or university or hold a valid Third Mate's Unlimited Ocean license;

(2)           not have been convicted of a felony;

(3)           provide evidence of 20/20 visual acuity uncorrected or corrected by lens;

(4)           provide evidence of being able to distinguish colors by means of the Stilling Test or other equivalent test accepted by the Coast Guard;

(5)           provide three personal references;

(6)           provide evidence of passing a complete physical examination in the form required by the Coast Guard for the issuance of an original federal pilot's license; and

(7)           be a citizen and resident of North Carolina.

(b)  If determined by a majority vote of the association that the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge and skill necessary to obtain an apprentice pilot's certificate and if approved by a majority vote of the commission, the applicant shall be issued an apprentice pilot's certificate. He or she shall be known as an apprentice pilot during apprenticeship. No member of the association who is a parent, sibling, or grandparent of an applicant shall participate in the discussion or voting by the association in recommending whether to approve the application for an apprentice pilot's certificate.

(c)  Under the direct supervision of a pilot, an apprentice pilot shall become proficient in all matters appertaining to the duties of a pilot, including:

(1)           the rules of the road as defined by the USCG;

(2)           the use of compass and navigational aids;

(3)           the set of various currents;

(4)           boarding of vessels in heavy weather;

(5)           the bearing of noted objects;

(6)           the number, shapes, and colors of buoys; and

(7)           the use of radar and ranges.

(d)  An apprentice pilot shall make such boarding and trips and perform such duties as directed by a pilot in order to master the waters of the river and bar to master the handling of the various vessels that will be under the command of a pilot as they travel inbound from the ocean to the port of call and outbound from the port of call to the ocean.

(e)  A limited license may be issued to an apprentice pilot by the commission upon a determination by a majority of the association that the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge and skill necessary to obtain a limited license and after consideration of the factors set forth in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. Prior to advancing from one limited license to the next, a majority of the association shall have signed the limited license, certifying progressive development of the knowledge and skill necessary for a limited license. The commission may issue the next limited license upon a determination by a majority of the association that the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge and skill necessary to obtain that limited license and after consideration of the factors set forth in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. No member of the association who is a parent, sibling, or grandparent of an applicant shall participate in the discussion or voting by the association in recommending whether to issue a limited license to the applicant.

(f)  An apprenticeship may be terminated at any time there is a finding by the commission that progress is not being made as set forth in Paragraphs (c) through (e) or any of the requirements set forth in Paragraph (a) have been violated. A majority vote of the association shall be required in ordered to present these proposed findings to the commission and recommend termination of an apprenticeship. No member of the association who is a parent, sibling, or grandparent of an applicant shall participate in the discussion or voting by the association in recommending whether to terminate the applicant's apprenticeship.

(g)  In order to be considered for an appointment as a pilot:

(1)           an applicant shall have satisfied all statutory requirements for a full license;

(2)           an applicant shall hold a pilot's license issued by the Coast Guard;

(3)           an applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony;

(4)           an applicant shall be recommended by a majority of the association and have been approved by a majority of the commission;

(5)           there shall be a vacancy in the number of pilots established pursuant to Rule .0119 of this Chapter; and

(6)           no member of the association or commission who is a parent, sibling, or grandparent of an applicant shall participate in the discussion or voting when considering whether to appoint an applicant as a fully licensed pilot.

(h)  Upon the successful completion of the apprentice pilot training program and the requirements for a fully licensed pilot, an apprentice pilot shall then be placed on the apprentice pilots waiting list in the order in which they complete all such requirements. When a vacancy occurs in the number of fully licensed pilots, the apprentice next in line shall be appointed to that vacancy. If he or she declines, his or her name shall be stricken from the waiting list. During this interim between the expiration of the limited license and the occurrence of a vacancy, the apprentice shall be required to make an average of two boardings per month under the supervision of a fully licensed pilot.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 76A‑1; 76A‑5; 76A‑6; 76A‑12; 76A‑13;

Eff. December 1, 1985;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;

Readopted Eff. December 1, 2018.