The mission of the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners (BPC) is to ensure against the loss of lives, loss of or damage to property and vessels, and to protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent pilotage service on our State's inland waters; and to not play in jeopardy Washington's position as an able competitor for waterborne commerce from other ports and nations in the world, but rather to continue to develop and encourage such commerce. The Board was created by the 1935 Legislature and includes members who are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate and service staggered four-year terms. The members include a designee of the Director of Washington State Ferries, who is the chairperson, (2) public members, (1) U.S. shipping representative, (1) foreign shipping representative, (2) licensed pilots, (1) environmental member, and (1) Department of Ecology member. The Board develops and proposes statutory language for legislative adoption to ensure safe and compulsory pilotage , adopts rules to administer State pilotage laws, and enforces pilot and public adherence to the Pilotage Act, which may include discipline and/or prosecution of violators. The Board also sets annual pilotage tariffs for the Puget Sound and Grays Harbor Pilotage Districts, administers testing, training, and licensing of marine pilots, and establishes standards for reporting and investigating incidents involving State-piloted vessels.