Board of Pilotage Commissioners Tug Escort Rulemaking (Chapter 363-116 WAC)

The Board of Pilotage Commissioners (BPC), in consultation with our agency, is beginning a rulemaking to amend Chapter 363-116 WAC, Pilotage Rules. Chapter 363-116 WAC describes the training, licensing, and regulation of Washington State maritime pilots to ensure safe pilotage. The rule also describes tug escort requirements for vessels carrying oil in Washington waters.

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The rulemaking will amend WAC 363-116-500 and, if needed, add new sections to Chapter 363-116 WAC. The rulemaking will consider 2019 legislative changes made to Chapter 88.16 RCW (Pilotage Act) through the passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1578. The rules will be designed to achieve best achievable protection, as defined in RCW 88.46.010, and will be informed by other considerations in ESHB 1578. The rulemaking will:

Describe tug escort requirements for the following vessels operating in the waters east of the line extending from Discovery Island light south to New Dungeness light and all points in the Puget Sound area:
- Oil tankers of between 5,000 and 40,000 deadweight tons.
- Articulated tug barges (ATB) and towed waterborne vessels or barges greater than 5,000 deadweight tons that are designed to transport oil in bulk internal to the hull.
Specify operational requirements for tug escorts, where they are required.
Specify functionality requirements for tug escorts, where they are required.
Consider the existing tug-escort requirements applicable to Rosario Strait and connected waterways to the east, established in RCW 88.16.190(2)(a)(ii), including adjusting or suspending those requirements, as needed.
Describe exemptions to tug-escort requirements, including whether certain vessel types or geographic zones should be precluded from the escort requirements.
Make other changes to clarify language and make any corrections needed.

Rulemaking timeline

Date	Activity
Feb. 22, 2023	Rulemaking announcement (CR-101 filing)
May 2023 – March 2025	Rulemaking meetings and workshops
June 2025 (anticipated)	Rule proposal - start of the comment period (CR-102 filing)
December 2025 (anticipated)	Rule adoption (CR-103 filing)
Anticipated January 2026 (typically 31 days after filing the CR-103)	Rule effective date

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
Feb. 22, 2023

Announcement documents

Rule development phase

February 2023 – June 2025

Public input and involvement

Get involved in this rulemaking:

Submit feedback through an informal public comment period to provide feedback on draft rule requirements and rule language. The public comment period is from June 4, 2024, at midnight to March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Attend upcoming workshops (see below).
Review materials from past workshops (see below).
Contact Jaimie Bever at beverj@wsdot.wa.gov or 206-515-3887.

The BPC appointed the Oil Transportation Safety Committee (OTSC) as an advisory committee with subject matter experts representing different areas like the regulated industry, Tribal governments, and environmental groups. The OTSC gives recommendations to the BPC, and the BPC makes final decisions. The BPC board meetings are open to the public, who can also share their comments during these meetings.

We’ve held workshops for Tribal Government and stakeholders and provided updates during OTSC and BPC meetings. You can find the workshop presentation slides and meeting note at the links below.

BPC meeting notes: https://pilotage.wa.gov/meetings.html
OTSC meeting notes: https://pilotage.wa.gov/resources.html

Past workshops

Workshop	Workshop Date/Time	Links to Materials	Main Topics
Tribal Government Pre-announcement Webinar #1	January 10, 2023	Webinar #1 Slides	BPC overview, Ecology rule process overview, and tug analysis discussion
Tribal Government Pre-announcement Webinar #2	January 18, 2023	Webinar #2 Slides	BPC overview, Ecology rule process overview, and tug analysis discussion
Stakeholder EIS Scoping meeting	March 21, 2023	Scoping Presentation Slides	Rule overview SEPA overview SEPA EIS scoping and verbal comment opportunity
Rule Development Workshop #1	May 17, 2023	Workshop #1 Slides	Scope (and out of scope) – Scope elements focused on in this workshop Rule inputs, Workshop topics ECY literature review summary
Tribal Government Workshop #1	May 24, 2023	Workshop #1 Slides	Scope (and out of scope) – Scope elements focused on in this workshop Rule inputs, Workshop topics ECY literature review summary Invitation for input
Stakeholder Workshop #2	June 29, 2023	Workshop #2 Slides	Key messages, scope (and out of scope) Outreach plan Escort tug operation and functionality
Tribal Government Meeting #2	July 13, 2023	Meeting #2 Slides	Key messages, scope (and out of scope) Outreach plan Escort tug operation Invitation for input
Stakeholder Workshop #3	Sept 27, 2023	Workshop #3 Slides	Key messages, scope (and out of scope) Outreach plan Presentation of preliminary draft language Thoughts on preliminary draft language Potential escort scenarios
Tribal Government Meeting #3	Oct 3, 2023	Meeting #3 Slides	Key messages, scope (and out of scope) Outreach plan Presentation of preliminary draft language Thoughts on preliminary draft language Potential escort scenarios
Public Info Session	October 31, 2023	Public information session presentation	Rule overview and process Feedback from workshops and meetings
Stakeholder Workshop #4	December 6, 2023	Workshop #4 Slides	Summary of analysis results
Tribal Government Workshop #4	December 7, 2023	Workshop #4 Slides	Rule overview and process Feedback from workshop and meeting Summary of analysis results
Tribal Government Workshop #5	January 23, 2024	Workshop #5 Slides	Recommendations based on analysis results
Stakeholder Workshop #5	January 25, 2024	Workshop #5 Slides	Recommendations based on analysis results
Stakeholder Workshop #6	February 6, 2024	Workshop #6 Slides	Recommendations based on analysis results (continued)
Tribal Government Workshop #6	February 8, 2024	Workshop #6 Slides	Recommendations based on analysis results (continued)
Stakeholders Workshop #7	May 8, 2024	Workshop #7 Slides	Preliminary scoping decision from BPC and Scoping Report Geographic scope and ocean use interactions for proposed alternatives
Tribal Government Workshop #7	May 14, 2024	Workshop #7 Slides	Preliminary scoping decision from BPC and Scoping Report Geographic scope and ocean use interactions for proposed alternatives
Stakeholder Workshop #8	July 10, 2024	Workshop #8 slides	SEPA Methodology; Economic analysis overview
Tribal Government Workshop #8	July 16, 2024	Workshop #8 slides	SEPA Methodology; Economic analysis overview
Tribal Government Workshop #9	September 3, 2024	Workshop 9 slides	SEPA analysis: Tribal Resources focus
Tribal Government Workshop #9	September 10, 2024	Workshop 9 slides	SEPA analysis: Tribal Resources focus
Stakeholder Workshop #10	November 5, 2024	Workshop 10 slides	SEPA analysis update
Underwater Noise Deep Dive Meeting	November 7, 2024	Deep Dive slides Deep Dive recording	Ecology and subject matter experts will present results from underwater noise analysis
Tribal Government Workshop #10	November 13, 2024	Workshop 10 slides	SEPA analysis update
Stakeholder Workshop #11	February 5, 2025	Workshop 11 slides	Proposed rule language; Update on analyses
Tribal Government Workshop #11	February 11, 2025	Workshop 11 slides	Proposed rule language; Update on analyses

SEPA meeting

We have determined that the rulemaking may have a significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c) and will be prepared. Agencies, affected Tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS.

A SEPA EIS Scoping comment period was held from Feb. 22, 2023, through April 8, 2023. We held one public meeting during this comment period, on March 21, 2023.

Ecology and BPC reviewed the comments received on the scope of the EIS and published the Board of Pilotage Commissioners Tug Escort Rulemaking SEPA EIS Scoping Summary Report in May 2024.

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact our ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

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Translated content

La Junta de Comisionados de Pilotaje, en consulta con el Departamento de Ecología, está empezando el proceso de creación de reglamento para enmendar el Capítulo 363-116 WAC Reglamentos de Pilotaje (Pilotage Rules). Capítulo 363-116 WAC describe el entrenamiento, licenciatura, y regulación de pilotos marítimos del estado de Washington para asegurar pilotaje seguro. El reglamento también describe los requisitos para remolcadores de escolta para naves transportando petróleo en las aguas de Washington.

Para más información, favor de llamar a Jaimie Bever al 206-515-3887 y pida un intérprete.

在和华盛顿州生态管理署协商之后，领航委员会开始了法规制定流程来修改WAC第363-116章的《领航规则（Pilotage Rules）》。WAC第363-116章描述了华盛顿州海上领行员的培训，许可，和监管以确保安全驾驶。该规则还描述了对在华盛顿水域运载石油的船只的拖船护航要求。
如需要更多信息，请致电206-515-3887与Jaimie Bever联系并要求翻译员服务。

Với sự tư vấn của Bộ Môi Sinh, Hội Đồng Ủy Viên Hoa Tiêu đang bắt đầu quy trình làm luật để sửa đổi Chương 363-116 WAC Luật Hoa Tiêu (Pilotage Rules). Chương 363-116 WAC mô tả việc đào tạo, cấp phép và quy định cho các hoa tiêu hàng hải của Bang Washington để đảm bảo hoa tiêu an toàn. Luật cũng mô tả các yêu cầu hộ tống tàu kéo đối với các tàu chở dầu trong vùng biển Washington.
Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng gọi Jaimie Bever theo số 206-515-3887 và yêu cầu thông dịch viên.

항만 도선법 위원회는 주환경부와 협의하여 주법 Chapter 363-116 WAC 도선 항해법을 (Pilotage Rules) 개정을 시작하였다. Chapter 363-116 WAC 는 필요한 훈련과정, 와싱턴주 안전한 항만 도선을 위한 항해법등을 기술한 법이다. 또한 유조선을 유도하기위해 필요한 예인선을 조종 필수사항도 기술한다.
좀더 자세한 사항은 Jaimie Bever (206-515-3887) 에 문의후 통역 요청할것.

Board of Pilotage Commissioners, консультируясь с Department of Ecology, приступает к разработке поправок к главе 363-116 «Правила проводки судов» Административного кодекса штата Washington (Washington Administrative Code, WAC) (Pilotage Rules). В главе 363 116 WAC описываются обучение лоцманов в штате Washington, выдача им лицензий и регулирование их деятельности для обеспечения безопасной проводки судов. Правила также описывают требования к буксирному сопровождению для судов, перевозящих нефть в водах штата Washington.

За дальнейшей информацией обращайтесь к Jaimie Bever по телефону 206 515 3887 и попросите предоставить устного переводчика.

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Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Jaimie Bever
BPC Executive Director
beverj@wsdot.wa.gov
206-515-3887