AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLASSES OF PILOTS' LICENSES.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the safety implications or alignment with modern shipping practices, only that it enables safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and aligns standards.

Amending Pilot License Classes in Delaware

The bill increases the maximum draft limit for sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet and makes technical corrections.

What This Bill Does

• Increases the maximum draft limit for sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet.
• Makes small changes to match existing laws with current drafting rules.

Who It Names or Affects

• Pilots who have or will get a sixth class license.
• Ship owners and operators using the waters where these pilots work.

Terms To Know

Draft

The depth of water needed for a ship to float without touching the bottom.

Pilotage

Guiding ships through waters that are difficult or dangerous to navigate.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify when the changes will take effect.
• Only affects sixth class pilots and does not change other classes of licenses.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLASSES OF PILOTS' LICENSES.
This Act amends Title 23 of the Delaware Code to increase the maximum draft limit applicable to sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet, enabling the safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and aligning pilotage standards with modern shipping practices.
This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Berry & Rep. Harris

Sens. Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Osienski, D. Short

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 240

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLASSES OF PILOTS' LICENSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

§ 112 Classes of licenses.

(a)

Six classes of licenses shall be granted:

(1) First class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels of any practical draft of

water;

water.

(2) Second class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels drawing 45 feet of water or

under;

under.

(3) Third class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels drawing 40 feet of water or

under;

under.

(4) Fourth class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels drawing 35 feet of water or

under;

under.

(5) Fifth class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels drawing 32 feet of water or

under; and

under.

(6) Sixth class, to persons capable of piloting ships or vessels drawing

27

29

feet of water or under.

SYNOPSIS

This Act amends Title 23 of the Delaware Code to increase the maximum draft limit applicable to sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet, enabling the safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and aligning pilotage standards with modern shipping practices.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Author: Senator Huxtable