Delaware SB240: Pilotage/Maximum Draft Limit/Increase/Sixth Class Pilots

What the bill says

An act TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLASSES OF PILOTS' LICENSES. § 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 cl.

From the introduced text, February 26, 2026:

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

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