In establishing pilotage rates, the board shall consider factors relevant to determining reasonable and just pilotage rates, including:
- (1) characteristics of vessels to be piloted;
(2) the average number of hours spent by a pilot performing:
- (A) pilot services on board vessels; and
- (B) all pilot services;
- (3) costs to pilots to provide the required pilot services;
- (4) the public interest in maintaining safe, efficient, and reliable pilot services;
- (5) the average wages of masters of United States flag vessels that navigate in the board's jurisdiction and for which the pilotage rate is to be established;
- (6) economic factors affecting the shipping industry in the area in which the port is located; and
- (7) an adequate and reasonable compensation for the pilots and a fair return on the equipment and vessels that the pilots employ in connection with their duties.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.