Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
04/04/2023 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 4, 2023
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator James Kaufman, Chair
Senator David Wilson, Vice Chair
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Robert Myers
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING
Board of Marine Pilots
Edward Sinclair
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CAPTAIN EDWARD SINCLAIR, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the pilot
seat for the Board of Marine Pilots.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:47 PM
CHAIR JAMES KAUFMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wilson, Kiehl, and Chair Kaufman. Senator
Tobin arrived soon thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING
CONFIRMATION HEARING
BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
1:32:40 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the confirmation hearing to reappoint
Edward Sinclair to the Board of Marine Pilots. He stated that AS
8.62 establishes the Board of Marine Pilots and its duties. The
board adopts regulations to carry out the mission to provide
efficient and competent piloting service for the protection of
shipping, human life, property and the marine environment. The
board makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary
action against people who violate the licensing laws. He noted
that the board meets three times a year and offers a public
comment period at each meeting. He stated that Mr. Sinclair was
originally appointed to the board on March 1, 2019, and was
reappointed on March 10, 2023. If confirmed again, his term
would expire on March 1, 2027.
1:33:43 PM
EDWARD SINCLAIR, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau,
Alaska, testified for reappointment to the pilot seat for the
Board of Marine Pilots. He stated that he served in the United
States Coast Guard for 20 years and retired in 2002. Following
retirement, he began a four-year pilot training apprenticeship.
He informed the committee that he received his first marine
pilot license in 2006. He remarked on his time serving on the
Southeast Alaska Pilots Association (SEPA) board as both a
member and the president.
MR. SINCLAIR stated that he wished to serve another four-year
term on the Board of Marine Pilots. He highlighted the boards
efforts to improve regulations. He mentioned that the board
navigated challenges during the Covid 19 pandemic by revising
regulations for license renewals. He shared that pilots lacked
the requisite number of piloting days during the pandemic. The
board worked to create alternative requirements allowing pilots
to retain their licenses.
1:35:14 PM
SENATOR TOBIN joined the committee.
CHAIR KAUFMAN responded that the boards priorities were
relevant given the challenges during the pandemic.
SENATOR KIEHL thanked Mr. Sinclair for his service in the Coast
Guard and as co-president of the elementary school parents
association. He noted the reference to foreign pleasure craft
and the historic difficulties associated with knowing when a
pilot is required. He asked Mr. Sinclair for his assessment
about the summertime need for pilots on pleasure craft vessels.
MR. SINCLAIR replied that the yachting industry has greater
awareness of the piloting requirements. He explained that pilot
associations rely on shipping agents to communicate the piloting
requirements. A foreign pleasure craft is required to have a
shipping agent provide information about state entry and
operation requirements. The marine pilot coordinator reviews the
applications and works with the shipping agents. He opined that
the system improved without specific outreach. He acknowledged
that gaps in the system occur, and occasionally yachts enter the
Alaskan waters without establishing contact with a shipping
agent.
1:39:40 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked about other challenges the Board of Marine
Pilots faces that the committee should be aware of.
MR. SINCLAIR replied that challenges were addressed with the
Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). He explained that pilots in
training must travel their regions marine waterways on AMHS
ferries. He relayed difficulties meeting the travel requirements
as AMHS costs and availabilities changed. The board raised the
issue with AMHS, and he understood that the situation improved.
Pilot trainees are now better able to afford the required ferry
trips. He remarked that the decrease in AMHS routes is still an
issue. He stated that conversations between the board and the
state remain focused on the states needs and interests.
MR. SINCLAIR continued with a second board issue relating to
investigations. He explained that investigations are initiated
for marine incidents and complaints made against marine pilots.
The challenge is that the investigation findings are not
communicated to the Board of Marine Pilots. The board receives a
report from the investigative branch with very little
information about the case. He expressed concern related to the
boards ability to address the investigation with the states
pilot community. He added that pilot deficiencies are difficult
to remedy without communication about the investigations.
1:45:15 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN shared Mr. Sinclairs concern about the lack of
a feedback loop related to investigations.
MR. SINCLAIR expressed his wish to share the investigation
findings with marine pilots, agents and the public in Alaska.
CHAIR KAUFMAN agreed that a gap exists. He asked for direction
about how the committee might help remedy the situation. He
wondered about the yachting industry and where a large yacht
might park.
MR. SINCLAIR replied that a pilot is required to be on board to
pilot most yachts. He mentioned the option for pilotage
exemptions, but all foreign yachts are required to take a marine
pilot upon entry into the state. He furthered that the pilot
boards the vessel in a certain community and then reviews the
itinerary and answers questions about local navigation
regulations. If a yacht has an exemption, it will continue its
itinerary without an Alaska marine pilot.
1:48:42 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN opened public testimony on the reappointment of
Edward Sinclair; finding none, he closed public testimony.
CHAIR KAUFMAN solicited a motion.
1:49:55 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee reviewed the following
and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session
for consideration:
Board of Marine Pilots
Edward Sinclair - Juneau, Alaska
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
1:50:22 PM
At ease
1:51:22 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting.
1:52:07 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kaufman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 1:52 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Sinclair Marine Pilots Application 3.13.23.pdf |
STRA 4/4/2023 1:30:00 PM |
Appointee |
| Edward Sinclair Marine Pilots Resume 3.31.23.pdf |
STRA 4/4/2023 1:30:00 PM |
Appointee |