Sec. 63.003. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. (a) A pilot board shall:

(1) examine and determine the qualifications of each applicant for branch or deputy pilot;

(2) recommend meritorious applicants to the governor, if new appointments are proper;

(3) examine any cause of alleged or suspected misconduct or inefficiency in a branch or deputy pilot;

(4) keep a record of its proceedings;

(5) hear and determine all disputes that arise regarding pilots and pilotage;

(6) award to pilots compensation for injurious loss of time incurred in waiting on vessels or by being carried to sea on a vessel by default of the master or owner when the pilot might have been landed;

(7) award to pilots extra compensation for extra services to vessels in distress; and

(8) superintend and generally attend to all matters related to pilots and pilotage.

(b) A pilot board, after a hearing, may suspend a pilot for sufficient cause.

(c) A pilot board may examine and determine the qualifications of a branch or deputy pilot already appointed when the board is organized.

(d) A pilot board may restrict all deputy pilots from piloting over the bar vessels that have over a specified draught of water.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.