The Role of the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners

Before Crescent Pilots were chosen to launch into a year of apprenticeship and a life of piloting on the Mississippi, their names first appeared on a list of applicants supplied by the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners. This Board has been in place since the beginning of the Crescent Pilots’ Association and works to oversee, investigate and discipline pilots.

In 1908, the Louisiana legislature brought the pilots who led ships from Head of Passes to the Port of New Orleans under full regulation. At that time, the 1908 La. Acts 54 created the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners, a three-person board of licensed pilots who are appointed by the Governor. Today, Capt. Jack Anderson, Capt. Scott Loga and Capt. James E. Cramond make up this three-person board.

One of the Commission’s main responsibilities is to investigate any accidents that may occur. A commissioned pilot is required to report all incidents to a Commissioner as soon as it happens. A Commissioner then determines the severity, contacts the U.S. Coast Guard and reports to the scene immediately. Once the situation is stabilized, generally, less than 30 minutes after the occurrence, the Commission is contacted. Interviews with the pilot, captain, mates on watch, quartermaster, and other witnesses are conducted, and information from bell books, engine bell loggers, course recorders, etc. is gathered and analyzed. Under the Commissioner’s direction, an incident report is completed and submitted, a post accident drug/alcohol test is performed and results are compiled and findings of fact and conclusions are completed. Pilots can be exonerated, fined, suspended or recommended for revocation of commission.

The Commission reports directly to the Oversight Board, which is also the forum for complaints against pilots. The Oversight Board is a result of a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation. It is comprised of the Board of Commissioners and two individuals who are nominated by the Dockboard, Port of New Orleans, and approved by the Governor. The Oversight Board meets on quarterly basis, but also meets whenever necessary. While the Oversight Board oversees the actions of the Commission, the Governor has ultimate authority concerning state commissioners.

The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners was the first agency in the industry to institute a drug and alcohol policy. At that time, in the mid-1980s, there was no U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Transportation policy. The Commission developed a policy similar to those that are industry standards today. The policy, like the science of drug detection, is continually evolving. Today, the Commission goes well beyond the scope of the Dept. of Transportation methods of detection to assure a drug-free environment.

Another duty of the Board is to oversee the Crescent Pilots’ continuing education program. They, much like the U.S. Coast Guard, realize that the Maritime Industry is continually changing and becoming more technologically oriented. With this in mind, the Commission requires that each pilot receive at least 40 hours of continuing education credit in addition to scale model training or simulator training every license renewal period.

The Commission also works closely with the local U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO), providing information on casualties and vessel deficiencies. During the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation of the M/V Atticos collision, the Commission assisted the NTSB and was granted representation on the panel of investigators, another industry first. Today a member of the Commission serves as technical advisor to the NTSB when requested.

The state commission system of oversight provides several benefits which are unattainable via alternate systems. Each Commissioner has intimate knowledge of the river, the facilities, and in most instances, the vessels that transit the river. Unlike the U.S. Coast Guard, which utilizes a rotation system, the Board of Commissioners serves at the pleasure of the Governor, generally four years or longer. Plus, funding for the needs of the Commission, or time dedicated to an investigation, does not deter the Commission from the completion of their duties. Commissioners receive no additional pay for their service. The Commission’s primary objective is always safety.

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