Tom Buroker

The meeting includes staff and chair reports alongside activity reports from various maritime organizations such as the Port of Grays Harbor, Puget Sound Pilots, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, and the U.S. Coast Guard. New business items cover board actions on MSOs, trainee evaluations and licensure of a candidate, the final ranked list for the 2026 pilot exam, and requests for vessel exemptions. Further discussion topics involve a PSP tribal fisheries handout, review of physical examination reports, the selection of a new board-designated physician, and a presentation of the 2025 audited financials by the Puget Sound Pilots. The meeting also includes reports from several committees and work groups covering oil transportation safety, pilotage act advisory, terminal operations, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and pilot safety.

The meeting included reports on maritime infrastructure assessments, the publication of the quarterly newsletter, and the implementation of a new searchable MSO archive in pilot dispatch screens. Discussions covered the arrival of the first green ethanol vessel, Maersk ALETTE, and updates on the trainee stipend surcharge process. Several marine safety occurrences were filed and reviewed, including mechanical and operational incidents involving various vessels. Committee updates were provided regarding pilot license upgrades, trainee program progress, and ongoing work groups including the Terminal Operations Work Group. The Board also confirmed upcoming meeting dates and addressed committee reappointments.

The Board discussed and took actions on the 2026 Marine Pilot Examination, including setting the written exam cut score, determining the number of aspirants advancing to the simulator evaluation, and appointing simulator evaluators. Incident and marine safety occurrence reports for several vessels were reviewed and filed. The Board authorized the issuance of state pilot licenses to new candidates for the Puget Sound and Grays Harbor Pilotage Districts and approved a pilot license upgrade. The meeting also included a presentation on LNG bunkering barges, a review of stakeholder input regarding the authorized number of pilots, and updates from various committees including the Oil Transportation Safety Committee, Pilot Safety Committee, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

The committee discussed the scope of purpose regarding tanker-piloted requirements in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with the goal of providing recommendations to the Board. Updates were provided on the Memorandum of Agreement between the Puget Sound Pilots and B.C. Coast Pilots, specifically regarding cross-border traffic, vessel handover processes, and the inclusion of liquid bulk vessels. The committee also explored reporting definitions for incidents in joint waters, considered the feasibility of the Board receiving incident data from Canadian authorities, and continued the review of current RCW 88.16.180 language.

The meeting agenda includes a closed session to discuss the 2026 Marine Pilot Examination and Training Program, followed by a regular meeting involving staff and chair reports, and activity reports from various marine and port associations. Board actions will cover the cut score for the simulator evaluation, Marine Safety Office (MSO) matters, trainee evaluation committee recommendations including training agreements and licensure, and committee reports for pilot safety and oil transportation safety. Additionally, the board will review requests for vessel exemptions, physical examination reports, and the number of pilots, alongside committee and work group updates.