Denials, reprimands, suspensions, and revocations -- Grounds; alternative or additional penalty

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    (a)    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)    (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)    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)    (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)    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.


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