Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River public meetings in 2022
12 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will meet to discuss administrative updates and pilot reviews. The agenda includes a general session on safety and rules and an executive session regarding litigation and compensation.
- Updates on anti-harassment and random drug/alcohol/hair testing
- Discussion of administrative rules and proposed changes
- Individual pilot reviews
- Review of attorney compensation
- Litigation updates for Ted Davisson v. Board of Examiners and Jeremy Smith v. Board of Examiners
The Board voted to update the definition of a 'turn' and how work at the VTC counts toward recency for unrestricted pilots. The Board also authorized counsel to notify pilots of immediate removal from rotation if they fail to meet recency requirements. Additionally, the Board increased monthly compensation for Couhig Partners, LLC and Capella Consulting, LLC.
- Approved formal process to revise recency rule regarding 'turn' definitions and VTC work (2-1)
- Approved authority for counsel to notify pilots of removal from rotation for recency failures (3-0)
- Approved increase in monthly compensation for Couhig Partners, LLC and Capella Consulting, LLC (3-0)
- Approved August 31, October 12, and November 28, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans – Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River is holding a special meeting. The session includes an executive session to review individual pilots and an investigation update regarding Jeremy Smith.
- Individual Pilot Reviews
- Investigation update: In the Matter of Jeremy Smith, 2022-001
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots held a special meeting to review litigation and individual pilot status. The Board approved a motion to advance one pilot's operational capacity.
- Approved advancement of Cpt. Derrell Plaisance to operate vessels up to 820' LOA effective December 1, 2022 (Unanimous)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will hold a special meeting to address an administrative complaint and legal matters involving Jeremy Smith. The board will also discuss annual physical requirement standards of conduct.
- Administrative complaint regarding Jeremy Smith
- Review of La. Administrative Code tit. 46, Pt. LXX, §6307 Annual Physical Requirement
- Litigation update: Jeremy Smith v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 825241)
- Individual pilot reviews
The Board accepted an administrative complaint regarding Jeremy Smith and hired retired judge Glennon Everett as Independent Counsel. Members approved sending notices to pilots who failed to provide evidence of annual physicals by October 31, 2022. The Board also authorized a process to share information with NOBRA.
- Accepted administrative complaint regarding Jeremy Smith (unanimous)
- Hired retired judge Glennon Everett as Independent Counsel (unanimous)
- Approved sending compliance notices to pilots violating annual physical requirements (unanimous)
- Approved engaging with NOBRA to create an information-sharing process (unanimous)
- Advanced Cpt. Chris Mediamolle to operate vessels up to 820' LOA effective October 13, 2022 (unanimous)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River will meet to discuss administrative updates and pilot programs. The agenda includes an executive session to review individual pilots, pending incidents, and active litigation.
- Updates on Deputy Pilot Program and Pilot Assistance Program
- Discussion of administrative rules and proposed changes
- Review of drug and alcohol testing procedures
- Litigation update: Ted Davisson v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 823705)
- Litigation update: Jeremy Smith v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 825241)
The Board approved the advancement of Captain Dominic Blanton to operate vessels up to 820' LOA. Additionally, the Board terminated three separate incident investigations after finding no errors. The Board also approved previous meeting minutes from May, June, July, and August 2022.
- Approved advancement of Cpt. Dominic Blanton to operate vessels up to 820' LOA (unanimous)
- Terminated investigation into Nomadic Milde incident based on no finding of error (unanimous)
- Terminated investigation into Torvanger incident based on no finding of error (unanimous)
- Terminated investigation into Chem Ranger incident based on no finding of error (unanimous)
- Approved May 25, June 27, July 20, and August 9, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River will meet to conduct an executive session. The session will cover pilot reviews, complaints, and a litigation update.
- Individual Pilot Reviews
- Litigation update: Ted Davisson v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 823705)
- Review of complaints
The Board of Examiners approved deputy pilot restrictions for 12 captains and removed Captain Jeremy Smith from Commissioner Business. The Board also determined it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate a complaint from Captain Davisson.
- Approved consent resolution with Captain Strahan contingent on acceptance by August 12
- Approved advancing deputy pilot restrictions for Captains Caceres, Colombo, Foto, Jones, Koll, Martin, Nance, Rittiner, Schouest, Solar, Strahan, and Sullivan
- Approved retaining Jackie Maloney as investigator in the Jeremy Smith investigation
- Removed Captain Jeremy Smith from Commissioner Business (August 9)
- Found the Board lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the complaint from Captain Davisson
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River will meet to conduct individual pilot reviews. The board will also receive updates on two specific litigation cases in the 24th JDC.
- Individual Pilot Reviews
- Litigation update: Ted Davisson v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 823705)
- Litigation update: Jeremy Smith v. Board of Examiners, et al. (Case No. 825241)
The Board voted to recommend that the Governor open a formal investigation into Captain Jeremy Smith. Additionally, the Board approved advancing deputy pilot restrictions for three specific captains.
- Approved advancing deputy pilot restriction for Captains Dennis, Hall, and Walker (2-1)
- Approved recommendation to the Governor to open a formal investigation into Captain Jeremy Smith (3-0)
- Denied substitute motion to advance deputy pilot restriction for all deputy pilots except Mediamolle and Plaisance (failed for lack of a second)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans – Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will hold a special meeting to conduct data collection and individual pilot reviews. The agenda also includes discussions regarding potential litigation related to administrative issues.
- Data Collection session
- Individual Pilot Reviews in Executive Session
- Discussion of potential litigation regarding administrative issues
The Board approved a preliminary investigation into 13 deputy pilots for failing to provide turn data. It also authorized the retention of Couhig Partners for litigation if NOBRA does not pay outstanding bills by July 1.
- Approved preliminary investigation into 13 deputy pilots for non-compliance with data requests (2-1)
- Approved retaining Couhig Partners for litigation if NOBRA bills remain unpaid by July 1 (2-1)
- Approved entering Executive Session (3-0)
- Approved returning to regular session (3-0)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will meet to receive updates on operational policies and pilot programs. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss pending incidents, individual pilot reviews, and active litigation.
- Updates on 12 Hr. Rest Rule and Drug/Alcohol Testing Procedure
- Discussion on USCG Annual Physicals
- Review of Apprentice Application and Deputy Pilot Program
- Litigation update: Jason Ledet v. Board of Examiners (Case No. 823703)
- Litigation update: Ted Davisson v. Board of Examiners (Case No. 823705) and Jeremy Smith v. Board of Examiners (Case No. 825241)
The Board approved minutes from two previous meetings and provided updates on office furniture, administrative staffing, and record retention policies. The Board discussed missing USCG annual physicals for 30 pilots and noted that NOBRA is refusing to provide updated pilot contact information.
- Approved February 22, 2022 quarterly meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved March 14, 2021 special meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to enter executive session (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to return to regular session (Unanimous)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River will meet for a special session. The meeting includes an executive session to conduct an individual pilot review.
- Individual Pilot Review in executive session
The Board held a special meeting that included an executive session for an individual pilot review. The Board voted to recommend the terms of a resolution regarding the investigation into Captain Mediamolle to the Governor.
- Approved recommendation to the Governor regarding resolution terms for Captain Mediamolle investigation (2-1)
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans – Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will hold a special meeting on March 4, 2022, primarily to conduct an individual pilot review in executive session. Following the closed session, the board may take any necessary votes on matters discussed.
- Executive session for individual pilot review
- Possible votes arising from executive session matters
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots will hold a quarterly meeting to discuss administrative rules, high water restrictions, apprentice applications, and drug/alcohol testing. The board will also enter executive session to review incidents, individual pilot performance, and three active lawsuits.
- Administrative Rules Update/12 Hr. Rest Rule
- High Water Restrictions
- Apprentice Application and Deputy Pilot Program
- Drug/Alcohol Testing and Pilot Assistance Program
- Executive session on litigation: Jason Ledet v. Board, Ted Davisson v. Board, Jeremy Smith v. Board
The Board approved a new office lease, moving services, and furniture procurement. It also authorized a budget for office expenses and the hiring of a temporary independent contractor. Additionally, the Board ruled on several pilot-related investigations and jurisdictional complaints.
- Approved amended office lease
- Approved moving company quote
- Approved LA Office Products quote for office furniture
- Authorized $5,000 for office expenses
- Approved hiring independent contractor for 6 months at max $3,000/month (2-1)
- Advanced Captain Plaisance to next deputy pilot level (755”) on March 15
- Terminated GLORY FIRST investigation with finding of no pilot error
- Retained Couhig Partners, LLC for all pending litigation
Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River
The Board of Examiners for New Orleans - Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River is meeting to conduct an individual pilot review in executive session. The board may hold votes based on the results of that review.
- Individual Pilot Review
The Board conducted an individual pilot review during an executive session. No votes were held or substantive decisions made during the meeting.
- Approved motion to enter executive session
- Approved motion to return to regular session
- Approved motion to adjourn