§ 11-409. Denials, reprimands, suspensions, and revocations -- Grounds; alternative or additional penalty

   (a) Grounds generally. -- Subject to the hearing provisions of § 11-410 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee:

   (1) fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for the applicant or licensee or for another;

   (2) fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;

   (3) under the laws of the United States or of any state, is convicted of:

      (i) a felony; or

      (ii) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to provide pilotage;

   (4) pilots or attempts to pilot a vessel while under the influence of:

      (i) alcohol;

      (ii) narcotics; or

      (iii) any other substance that impairs the physical or mental ability of the pilot to perform in a safe manner;

   (5) pilots a vessel in a negligent or reckless manner;

   (6) anchors a vessel during a pilotage transit unless:

      (i) the anchorage was ordered by the master of the vessel; or

      (ii) the anchorage was necessary for reasons of safety or prudent navigation;

   (7) violates the conflict-of-interest provisions of § 11-603 of this title;

   (8) violates any regulation adopted by the Board; or

   (9) violates any order passed by the Board.

(b) Failure to provide pilotage. --

   (1) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 11-410 of this subtitle, the Board shall revoke the license of any pilot who does not provide pilotage for 1 year.

   (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board may not revoke a license under this subsection if the failure of the pilot to provide pilotage was due to:

      (i) sickness of the pilot; or

      (ii) assignment to administrative duties.

(c) Refusal to aid vessel in distress. -- Subject to the hearing provisions of § 11-410 of this subtitle, the Board shall revoke the license of a pilot who, after receiving notice, refuses to aid a vessel in distress:

   (1) within 18 nautical miles south of Cape Henry;

   (2) within 18 nautical miles east of Cape Henry;

   (3) in the Chesapeake Bay; or

   (4) in the ports of Maryland.

(d) Alternative or additional penalty. --

   (1) Instead of or in addition to suspending or revoking a license under subsection (a) of this section, the Board may impose a penalty not to exceed $ 2,000 for each violation.

   (2) To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this subsection, the Board shall consider:

      (i) the seriousness of the violation;

      (ii) the harm caused by the violation;

      (iii) the good faith of the licensee; and

      (iv) any history of previous violations by the licensee.

(e) Facts considered. -- The Board shall consider the following facts in the granting, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of a license or the reprimand of a licensee when an applicant or licensee is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(3) of this section:

   (1) the nature of the crime;

   (2) the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license;

   (3) with respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to provide pilotage;

   (4) the length of time since the conviction; and

   (5) the behavior and activities of the applicant or licensee before and after the conviction.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 74, § 4, 7, 12; 1989, ch. 3, § 1; 1992, ch. 222; 1998, ch. 342; 2004, ch. 520, § 2.