(a) If suspected safety standard violations concerning pilot hoists, pilot ladders, or the proper rigging of pilot hoists or pilot ladders are reported to the board, the executive director shall investigate the report. The executive director may personally inspect or assign a commission investigator to personally inspect the equipment for its compliance with the relevant safety standards promulgated by the United States Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization. If, in the preliminary investigation, the equipment is found to be in violation, or in likely violation in the opinion of the executive director, of the relevant safety standards, the executive director shall immediately alert the appropriate United States Coast Guard office. The executive director shall report his or her findings and recommendations, if any, to the board. The board shall receive the executive director’s findings, which may include other reports, information, or statements from interested parties. The board shall specify, by regulation, the information that shall be contained in the report.

(b) This section applies to the pilotage grounds, as defined in Section 1114.5. If a vessel passes outside of the pilotage grounds, the executive director’s report shall include that fact along with a description of the incident.

(c) The record of the investigation and the board’s findings and recommendations, if any, shall be a public record maintained by the board.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 80. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)