Delaware Code Title 23. Navigation and Waters § 113. Qualifications for licenses; limitation on numbers of pilots; maximum age of licensees; neglect of duties

(a) No license of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth class shall be granted to any person unless that person has heretofore held or does now hold such license under the laws of this State or shall have served an apprenticeship as specified herein and by the Board, nor shall any license be granted until the person applying shall have arrived at the age of 21 years, nor shall any license be granted to any person until the number of pilots licensed under the laws of this State, excluding those pilots holding inactive licenses issued per § 102(13) of this title, shall have been reduced to less than 42, and thereafter such number shall not be exceeded. The whole number of licensed pilots, excluding those pilots holding inactive licenses issued per § 102(13) of this title, shall not exceed 42 at any 1 time.

(b) No person shall be entitled to a license of the first class until that person has served for at least 1 year in each of the lower classes.

(c) Any license issued under this chapter shall become void when the licensee reaches the age of 70 years, and shall not be renewed.

(d) Except as allowed by the Board or its rules, no pilot shall be entitled to a renewal of a license if the person fails to pilot at least 52 vessels over the route during the 1 year term of the license.

(e) Any pilot who fails to exercise the pilot's profession for any consecutive 90-day period is forbidden from piloting vessels. Such pilot may resume piloting vessels only upon certification to the Board that the pilot has made such refresher trips over the route as shall be deemed necessary by the Board to assure that the pilot is fully familiar with conditions along the route. Refresher trips shall be made in the company of a first class pilot.

(f) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to any person who holds a valid first or second class state license as of April 8, 1993.