Chapter 5. Pilotage Rates of California Harbors And Navigation Code >> Division 5. >> Chapter 5.

(a) Every vessel spoken inward or outward bound shall pay the following rate of bar pilotage through the Golden Gate and into or out of the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun:
  (1) Eight dollars and eleven cents ($8.11) per draft foot of the vessel's deepest draft and fractions of a foot pro rata, and an additional charge of 73.01 mills per high gross registered ton as changed pursuant to law in effect on December 31, 1999. The mill rates established by this paragraph may be changed as follows:
  (A) (i) On and after January 1, 2010, if the number of pilots licensed by the board is 58 or 59 pilots, the mill rate in effect on December 31, 2006, shall be decreased by an incremental amount that is proportionate to one-half of the last audited annual average net income per pilot for each pilot licensed by the board below 60 pilots.
  (ii) On and after January 1, 2010, if the number of pilots licensed by the board is fewer than 58 pilots, the mill rate in effect on December 31, 2006, shall be adjusted in accordance with the method described in clause (i) as though there are 58 pilots licensed by the board.
  (iii) The incremental mill rate adjustment authorized by this subparagraph shall be calculated using the data reported to the board for the number of gross registered tons handled by pilots licensed under this division during the same 12-month period as the audited annual average net income per pilot. The incremental mill rate adjustment shall become effective at the beginning of the immediately following quarter, commencing January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1, as directed by the board.
  (iv) On and after January 1, 2010, if, during any quarter described in this paragraph, the number of pilots licensed by the board is equal to or greater than 60, clauses (i) to (iii), inclusive, shall become inoperative on the first day of the immediately following quarter.
  (B) There shall be an incremental rate of additional mills per high gross registered ton as is necessary and authorized by the board to recover the pilots' costs of obtaining new pilot boats and of funding design and engineering modifications for the purposes of extending the service life of existing pilot boats, excluding costs for repair or maintenance. The incremental mill rate charge authorized by this subparagraph shall be identified as a pilot boat surcharge on the pilots' invoices and separately accounted for in the accounting required by Section 1136. Net proceeds from the sale of existing pilot boats shall be used to reduce the debt on the new pilot boats and any debt associated with the modification of pilot boats under this subparagraph. The board may adjust a pilot boat surcharge to reflect any associated operational savings resulting from the modification of pilot boats under this subparagraph, including, but not limited to, reduced repair and maintenance expenses.
  (C) In addition to the incremental rate specified in subparagraph (B), the mill rate established by this subdivision may be adjusted at the direction of the board if, after a hearing conducted pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the board determines that there has been a catastrophic cost increase to the pilots that would result in at least a 2-percent increase in the overall annual cost of providing pilot services.
  (2) A minimum charge for bar pilotage shall be six hundred sixty-two dollars ($662) for each vessel piloted.
  (3) The vessel's deepest draft shall be the maximum draft attained, on a stillwater basis, at any part of the vessel during the course of such transit inward or outward.
  (b) The rate specified in subdivision (a) shall apply only to a pilotage that passes through the Golden Gate to or from the high seas to or from a berth within an area bounded by the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge to the north and Hunter's Point to the south. The rate for pilotage to or from the high seas to or from a point past the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge or Hunter's Point shall include a movement fee in addition to the basic bar pilotage rate as specified by the board pursuant to Section 1191.
  (c) The rate established in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be for a trip from the high seas to dock or from the dock to high seas. The rate specified in Section 1191 shall not be charged by pilots for docking and undocking vessels. This subdivision does not apply to the rates charged by inland pilots for their services.
  (d) The board shall determine the number of pilots to be licensed based on the 1986 manpower study adopted by the board.
  (e) Consistent with the board's May 2002 adoption of rate recommendations, the rates imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) that are in effect on December 31, 2002, shall be increased by 4 percent on January 1, 2003; those in effect on December 31, 2003, shall be increased by 4 percent on January 1, 2004; those in effect on December 31, 2004, shall be increased by 3 percent on January 1, 2005; and those in effect on December 31, 2005, shall be increased by 3 percent on January 1, 2006.
  (f) (1) There shall be a movement fee as is necessary and authorized by the board to recover a pilot's costs for the purchase, lease, or maintenance of navigation software, hardware, and ancillary equipment purchased after November 5, 2008, and before January 1, 2011.
  (2) The software, equipment, and technology covered by this subdivision shall be used strictly and exclusively to aid in piloting on the pilotage grounds. The movement fee authorized by this subdivision shall be identified as a navigation technology surcharge on a pilot's invoices and separately accounted for in the accounting required by Section 1136. The board shall review and adjust as necessary the navigation technology surcharge at least quarterly. This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2011.

Every vessel that uses a pilot under this division while navigating the waters of Monterey Bay shall pay the rate provided by subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 1190.

(a) The board, pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1200), shall recommend that the Legislature, by statute, adopt a schedule of pilotage rates providing fair and reasonable return to pilots engaged in ship movements or special operations if rates for those movements or operations are not specified in Section 1190.
  (b) A vessel using pilots for ship movements or special operations that do not constitute bar pilotage shall pay the rate specified in the schedule of pilotage rates adopted by the Legislature.
  (c) Consistent with the board's adoption of rate recommendations in May 2002, the minimum rates imposed pursuant to this section that are in effect on December 31, 2002, shall be increased by 26 percent on January 1, 2003; those in effect on December 31, 2003, shall be increased by 26 percent on January 1, 2004; those in effect on December 31, 2004, shall be increased by 14 percent on January 1, 2005; and those in effect on December 31, 2005, shall be increased by 14 percent on January 1, 2006.

If a vessel that is subject to the payment of pilotage enters any port of Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, or Suisun solely by reason of being in distress or requiring care, it shall pay one-half the full pilotage rates.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 1120, only the following noncommercial vessels that use pilotage services are exempt from the pilotage fees and surcharges established pursuant to this division, except for the board operations surcharge as established and calculated pursuant to Section 1159.1:
  (1) Maritime academy training vessels, whether foreign or domestic.
  (2) Vessels owned and operated by a nonprofit museum or foundation.
  (b) The vessels specified in subdivision (a) are subject to Section 1198.

(a) In addition to other fees for pilotage, there shall be a surcharge in an amount established by the board for each movement of a vessel using pilot services for each pilot trainee who is enrolled in the pilot trainee training program established by the board.
  (b) The moneys charged and collected each month from the pilot trainee surcharge shall be paid to the board. The moneys shall be used only to fund the pilot trainee training program in the manner established by the board.
  (c) By action of the board, the board may adjust the amount established pursuant to subdivision (a) as necessary to efficiently administer the pilot trainee training program.

(a) The moneys charged and collected each month from the pilot trainee surcharge pursuant to Section 1195 shall be paid to the Board of Pilot Commissioners' Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159. The moneys shall be used only to fund the pilot trainee training program referred to in subdivision (h) of Section 1171.5 and Section 1195.3.
  (b) Information regarding moneys remitted to the Board of Pilot Commissioners' Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159 collected from the surcharge authorized pursuant to Section 1195, or otherwise collected by the board for that purpose, and information regarding moneys spent as pilot trainee training program expenses authorized by Section 1195.3 shall be made available to the public upon request and to the board or its finance committee.

Expenses of the pilot trainee program shall include all costs incurred by the board in the operation and administration of the pilot trainee training program and all costs resulting from any contracts entered into for the purchase or lease of goods and services required by the board, including, but not limited to, the costs of testing, test preparation, advertising and soliciting for trainee applicants, trainee stipends, worker's compensation insurance premiums, reimbursement of costs of services provided to the board by other governmental entities, and for the costs for any other goods and services necessary for effectuating the purposes of training as determined by the board.

(a) In addition to other fees for pilotage, there shall be a surcharge in an amount established by the board for each movement of a vessel using pilot services for the pilot continuing education program established by the board.
  (b) The moneys charged and collected each month from the pilot continuing education program surcharge shall be paid to the board. The moneys shall be used only to fund the pilot continuing education program in the manner established by the board.
  (c) By action of the board, the board may adjust the amount established pursuant to subdivision (a) as necessary to efficiently administer the pilot continuing education program.

(a) The moneys charged and collected each month from the pilot continuing education surcharge pursuant to Section 1196 shall be paid to the Board of Pilot Commissioners' Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159. The moneys shall be used only to fund the pilot continuing education program referred to in subdivision (h) of Section 1171.5 and Section 1196.3.
  (b) Information regarding moneys remitted to the Board of Pilot Commissioners' Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159 collected from the surcharge authorized pursuant to Section 1196, or otherwise collected by the board for that purpose, and information regarding moneys spent as pilot continuing education expenses authorized by Section 1196.3 shall be made available to the public upon request and to the board or its finance committee.

Pilot continuing education expenses shall include all costs incurred by the board in the operation and administration of the pilot continuing education program and all costs resulting from any contracts entered into for the purchase or lease of goods and services required by the board, including, but not limited to, the reimbursement of costs of services provided to the board by other governmental entities and for the costs for any other goods and services necessary for effectuating the purposes of continuing education as determined by the board.

(a) Costs resulting from the provision of continuing education for currently licensed pilots regarding instruction in the proper utilization of portable pilot unit equipment and software, if determined to be necessary for effectuating the purposes of continuing education by the board, shall be considered pilot continuing education expenses pursuant to Section 1196.3.
  (b) Subdivision (a) shall apply only to those costs incurred after January 1, 2013.

(a) The board shall contract with an independent entity to conduct a study of the effects of work and rest periods on psychological ability and safety for pilots. The study shall evaluate sleep- and human-related factors for pilots, and shall include information and recommendations on how to prevent pilot fatigue and ensure the safe operation of vessels.
  (b) The board shall, based on the results of, and recommendations contained in, the study, promulgate regulations for pilots establishing requirements for adequate rest periods intended to prevent pilot fatigue.
  (c) The study required to be conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be funded by revenues received by the board from the board operation surcharge, as described in Section 1159.2. The board shall have authority, consistent with Section 1159.2, to collect and appropriate adequate funding to ensure that the study is completed.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the rates and charges for pilotage services shall not include the cost of primary marine insurance insuring a pilot, an organization of pilots, or their officers or employees, from liability arising from negligence or errors in judgment in connection with the provision of pilotage service by pilots, organizations of pilots, or their officers or employees.
  (b) A pilot who holds a state license for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun shall arrange to have available, upon advance written notice, trip insurance, with coverage limits of thirty-six million dollars ($36,000,000), naming as insureds the pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees, and insuring the named insureds against any civil claim, demand, suit, or action by whomsoever asserted, arising out of, or relating to, directly or indirectly, acts or omissions of the insureds in connection with the provision of pilotage service, except willful misconduct.
  (c) Every vessel, owner, operator, or demise or bareboat charterer hiring a pilot with a state license for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun shall either defend, indemnify, and hold harmless pilots pursuant to paragraph (1), or alternatively, notify pilots of an intent to pay for trip insurance pursuant to paragraph (2). If a vessel or its owner, operator, or demise or bareboat charterer does not provide written notice pursuant to paragraph (2) of an intent to exercise the trip insurance option, then the vessel and its owner, operator, and demise or bareboat charterer will be deemed to have elected the obligation to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless pilots pursuant to paragraph (1).
  (1) (A) Except for a vessel electing trip insurance pursuant to paragraph (2), a vessel subject to this subdivision, and its owner, operator, demise or bareboat charterer, and agent shall not assert any claim, demand, suit, or action against the pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees, for damages, including any rights over, arising out of, or connected with, directly or indirectly, any damage, loss, or expense sustained by the vessel, its owners, agents, demise or bareboat charterers, operators, or crew, or by any third parties, even if the damage results, in whole, or in part, from any act, omission, or negligence of the pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees.
  (B) A vessel subject to this paragraph and its owner, operator, and demise or bareboat charterer shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees, with respect to liability arising from any claim, suit, or action, by whomsoever asserted, resulting in whole, or in part, from any act, omission, or negligence of the pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees. The obligation to indemnify under this paragraph shall not apply to the extent that it causes the amount recoverable from a vessel, its owner, operator, or demise or bareboat charterer to exceed the limits of liability to which it is entitled under any bill of lading, charter party, contract of affreightment, or provision of law.
  (C) The prohibition on claims by vessels, owners, operators, demise or bareboat charterers, and agents imposed by subparagraph (A) and the obligation to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the pilot imposed by subparagraph (B) shall not apply in cases of willful misconduct by a pilot, any organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, and their officers and employees.
  (D) A pilot who is the prevailing party shall be awarded attorney' s fees and costs incurred in any action to enforce a right to indemnification provided pursuant to this subdivision.
  (2) In lieu of paragraph (1), a vessel subject to this subdivision and its owner, operator, demise or bareboat charterer, and agent may elect to notify the pilot, or the organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, of intent to pay for trip insurance, as described in subdivision (b). If notice of this election is received, in writing, by the pilot, or the organization of pilots to which the pilot belongs, at least 24 hours prior to the time pilotage services are requested, the vessel, and its owner, operator, demise or bareboat charterer, and agent are not subject to the requirements of paragraph (1). The pilot shall take all steps necessary to have trip insurance coverage in place during the vessel movement for which it is requested. The pilot shall assess to the vessel the premium for the trip insurance at the pilot's cost, in addition to any other applicable rates and charges for the pilotage services provided.
  (d) Nothing in this section is intended to limit, alter, or diminish the liability of a vessel, owner, operator, or demise or bareboat charterer to any person who sustains loss or damage.