Timothy Farrell

The board meeting agenda includes staff and chair reports, along with activity updates from the U.S. Coast Guard, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Puget Sound Pilots, and the Port of Grays Harbor. Key business items cover the reconsideration of a pilotage exemption for the Clipper Fleet and various actions regarding Marine Safety Office matters. The meeting will address committee recommendations from the Trainee Evaluation Committee and Pilot Exam Committee, including pilot license upgrades, training program invitations, and applicant reviews. Additional agenda items include vessel exemption requests, a request from the Port of Grays Harbor to increase the number of pilots, review of pilot and trainee physical examination reports, a presentation on the 2026 cruise season, discussion on WAC 363-116-065 regarding pilot numbers, implementation of the tug escort rule, a legislative update, and various committee and work group reports.

Key discussions included the approval of the BPC's 2026 supplemental budget request and legislative process updates. The Chair reported on letters sent to Puget Sound Pilots concerning azipod training and regarding the Pilots' tariff revision filing related to the target assignment level (TAL). Activity reports were provided by various maritime stakeholders. The Board acknowledged the death of a pilot in St. Andrews Bay, Florida, and the Pilot Safety Committee is monitoring the investigation. New Business covered a presentation from the Marine Exchange. Several Pilot Reports of Incident were reviewed, including grounding of the PACIFIC CHAMP (filed with no pilot error) and a fractured wrist sustained by a pilot aboard the YM NAVIGATOR (filed with injury and no pilot error). Three Marine Safety Occurrences involving terminal cranes and engine issues on two vessels (MATSON KODIAK and PINE ARROW) were referred to relevant workgroups or added to tracking lists. Committee actions included approving pilot license upgrade programs for three Captains and approving eleven applicants to sit for the Knowledge Based Test. Rulemaking protest and appeal procedures are scheduled for a public hearing in February 2026. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee roster was adopted, and sponsorships for the Women on the Water and Women in Maritime Leadership conferences were approved. The annual exemption for Passenger Vessel VICTORIA CLIPPER V was approved, as were pilot physical examination reports for annual license renewals. Implementation of the Tug Escort Rule, effective December 21, 2025, was discussed, including plans for a rule assessment process and consultation with the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. The Board continued discussions regarding the Process for Review of Authorized Number of Pilots, reviewing data on training timelines and pilot age statistics, with additional data requested for the next meeting.

The agenda for the meeting includes a Public Hearing concerning written examination and simulator evaluation protest and appeal procedures (WAC 363-116-083 and WAC 363-116-084). Key discussion items for the Regular Meeting include staff and chair reports, activity reports from associated agencies like the USCG, PGH, PSP, NWSA, and PMSA. New Business involves Board Action on the previous hearing matters, action on several MSOs, the process for reviewing the authorized number of pilots, and recommendations from the Trainee Evaluation Committee (TEC) regarding pilot license upgrades and simulator training, and from the Pilot Exam Committee (PEC) concerning exam applicants. Further items include requests for vessel exemptions, review of pilot/trainee physical examination reports, a presentation on the 2028 Tug Escort Rule Assessment process, public comment on tug escort rule implementation, and a 2026 legislative update. Reports are also scheduled from various committees including OTSC, PSC, PAAC, TOWG, and DEIC.

The primary purpose of the Special Meeting was rulemaking to adopt the Tug Escort Final Rulemaking Language (CR103). This rulemaking establishes tug escort requirements for oil tankers and articulated tug barges over 5,000 DWT, implementing updates required by Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1578. The goal is to close safety gaps for vessels carrying oil in bulk and reduce the risk of catastrophic oil spills in Puget Sound. Minor changes were made regarding the pre-escort conference, including whale sightings. The Board approved the CR103 package. The Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Regulatory Analysis are scheduled to be posted the following day, and the CR103 filing is scheduled for November 20. The implementation of the rule will be discussed at the subsequent Regular Public Meeting.

The meeting agenda included multiple reports such as the BPC Staff Report, BPC Chair Report, and various Activity Reports from entities including the USCG, Puget Sound Pilots, Port of Grays Harbor, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. New business featured the review of two Marine Safety Occurrences (ULTRA OCELOT and CAPE GATA). The Board addressed several actions under committee recommendations: approving the pilot license upgrade program for Captains Michael & Fleischfresser, granting an 8-week extension for six trainees regarding federal chart requirements due to a federal shutdown, and discussing the progress of current pilot trainees in Puget Sound and Grays Harbor. The Board also reviewed the Pilot's Report of Incident concerning the PACIFIC CHAMP grounding in Grays Harbor, for which the formal investigation report is pending in January 2026. Other new business included the proposal for Tug Escort Rulemaking implementation, a presentation by Puget Sound Pilots on New Electronic Navigational Charts, consideration of a legislative bill regarding oil tankers in restricted waters, and discussion of proposed 2026 Board meeting dates.