[§462A-3.5]  Adequate supply of licenses.  (a)  The director shall determine the number of pilots necessary to maintain an efficient pilotage service in accordance with this chapter.

     (b)  The director, in consultation with users of pilotage services, the department of transportation's harbors division, and the professional association of port pilots in the State shall give primary consideration to the public interest in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of qualified pilots to safely and economically meet the requirements of commerce. [L 2001, c 13, §2]