Accountability
Guardians of the Chesapeake Bay
Crab cakes, rockfish, world-class sailing, and the United States Naval Academy are just a few of the many examples of the richness of life in the “land of pleasant living”—a life sustained by Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay! The Bay is also an important medium for world commerce. International cargo ships connect Baltimore to all points on the globe. The responsibility to govern and administer the laws that ensure safe and reliable pilotage in the Chesapeake Bay comes as a result of this commerce. Not only do these laws protect the vessels in transit and the Bay’s waters, but they also help protect the Bay from acts of terror. The State of Maryland and the Association of Maryland Pilots work together to ensure that the Laws of Maryland to protect the Chesapeake Bay are enforced.
The Maryland Statute
Under the Annotated Code of Maryland Title 11, Business Occupations and Professions and the Code of Maryland Regulations - 09.26 Maryland Law compels the State Board of Pilots to administer the State’s pilotage laws and regulations under the Department of Labor, and holds the Board responsible for the governing and regulation of all aspects of pilotage service in Maryland, except rate setting.
The Governor appoints residents of Maryland to the State Board of Pilots, under the Department of Labor. These appointees select, regulate, and oversee the Pilots who in turn provide a safe, efficient, and reliable service to the massive cargo ships calling the Ports of Maryland. These responsibilities include the selection of Pilots in Training, training and oversight, licensing, investigation of incidents, and disciplinary action of Maryland State licensed Pilots.
The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) determines just and reasonable rates for these pilotage services, which are paid by the ship’s owner or operator.
From the sea to the dock, Pilots are accountable to the people of Maryland for this pilotage service in all weather, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They also work with Federal and State law enforcement and military officials to protect the Chesapeake Bay, C & D Canal, and Maryland ports from acts of terror.
