87. Board of commissioners of pilots; powers and duties. 1. There shall continue to be in the city of New York, a board entitled the "board of commissioners of pilots," consisting of six persons, who shall hold their offices respectively, for two years from the time of their election, and until their successors are elected and have qualified. The governor, temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly shall each appoint one commissioner. Two other of such commissioners shall be elected by the presidents and vice-presidents of the marine insurance companies of the city of New York, composing or represented in the board of underwriters of such city, at a regularly convened meeting of such board. Notice of such meeting shall be given by the secretary of the board of underwriters or some member of the board duly authorized by it and it shall state that the election of commissioners will take place. Such notice shall be given in writing at least one day before the election and shall be delivered at the office of such company. Each insurance company represented at such meeting shall be entitled to one vote, and the certificate of the secretary of such board, or of any officer acting in his stead, shall be sufficient prima facie evidence of an election. The sixth commissioner shall be appointed by the governor from among the members or the staff of the Albany port district commission for a term of two years and until his successor is appointed and has qualified. No person shall be elected or appointed to the board of commissioners of pilots who holds or heretofore held a pilot's license issued pursuant to this article or pursuant to any law, rule or regulation of this state or any political subdivision, board, commission or authority of this state or of any other state or pursuant to any federal law, rule or regulation. Of the six members of the board of commissioners of pilots, at least four commissioners shall have been a licensed deck officer in the United States Merchant Marine or an unrestricted line officer in the United States Naval Service or a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard, and commanded a navigation watch on an ocean going vessel. The remaining two commissioners shall each have a minimum of five years of experience within the maritime industry. Upon the expiration of the term of office of any commissioner or commissioners, or within thirty days prior thereto, and upon any vacancy occurring by death, resignation, removal from the state, or other cause, another election or appointment to fill such office for the term of two years shall be held by the same class of persons or authority which had previously held the election or appointment for the office so expiring or becoming vacant.
2. Each commissioner, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take the constitutional oath of office before an officer authorized to administer oaths, which oath or affirmation shall be filed, without delay, in the office of the clerk of the county of New York.
3. The board of commissioners shall appoint and at pleasure remove a secretary and shall prescribe his duties and fix his compensation. Such secretary shall take a like oath, to be filed in like manner, as provided in subdivision two. The board shall establish an office in some convenient place in the city of New York, where the commissioners shall meet on the first Tuesday of every month, or more frequently by adjournment, or upon a notice given by any one of them, or by the secretary, as the circumstances may require.
4. The commissioners shall require the secretary in person or by deputy to be in daily attendance at their office during reasonable office hours on all ordinary business days. They shall cause the secretary to keep a proper book or books, in which all the rules and regulations, official transactions and proceedings, and whatever else may be deemed by them proper and useful and immediately pertaining to their duties or to the pilot service, shall be entered. They shall also cause the secretary to keep a register of the names and addresses of all the pilots licensed by them, with the dates of their licenses. Such books may be inspected by any person interested.
5. The decision of a majority of the commissioners shall be conclusive upon all questions arising under this article, except as otherwise provided. In case of an omission to fill any vacancy in the board of commissioners for one month, the remaining commissioners shall have and exercise all of the powers and duties of the board until the vacancy is filled.
* 6. (a) The board of commissioners of pilots shall advise the governor and the legislature on matters pertaining to pilotage fees. The board is authorized to review all aspects relevant to the determination of pilotage fees for vessels entering or departing from the Port of New York by way of Sandy Hook and by way of Sands Point or Execution Rocks; for vessels transitting the Hudson river between Yonkers and the dam at Troy; and for vessels transitting Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound east of a line from City Island avenue on City Island through Stepping Stones Light and entering or departing from any port on the New York state waters of Long Island Sound east of Sands Point or Execution Rocks for the purpose of making recommendations consistent with the objectives of assuring public safety, protection of property, and the protection of the environment. The board shall give due consideration to the following:
(1) The costs and other expenses incurred by pilots in providing the required services;
(2) The amount sufficient to provide a net return to the pilots which will attract and hold competent persons;
(3) Pilotage rates for comparable services on other waters of the United States;
(4) The methods of establishing pilotage rates for other waters of the United States;
(5) Economic factors affecting the shipping industry and pilot services in the areas under the jurisdiction of the board;
(6) Additions or modification of equipment in pilot vessels required to adequately protect persons, property, and the environment;
(7) Auditors' reports pertaining to the income and expenses of pilot associations;
(8) The number of pilots needed to provide and maintain adequate services for the areas under the jurisdiction of the board;
(9) Review of the apprentice and training programs for the purpose of determining the numbers of persons needed to fill vacancies in the pilot services as they arise;
(10) Any other information deemed pertinent by the board.
(b) The board of commissioners of pilots shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report containing its findings and recommendations on pilotage fees on or before March first of each year.
* NB Expired June 30, 1995
Last modified: February 3, 2019