March 6, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes - Maryland Board of Pilots
DATE: March 6, 2026
TIME: 10:30 AM
LOCATION: 100 S. Charles Street
3rd Floor Conference Room Tower 1, Baltimore, MD 21201 Video Teleconferencing via:
https://meet.google.com/ebw-pykh-osg
(Phone Number: (US +1 321-558-2498 PIN: 429 006
324#)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rashida I. Sims, Esq., Acting Chair
John Dove, Commissioner O&P, Ex Officio Captain Eric Nielsen
Captain Alison Marie Buckler Captain Walter L. James III Captain Ryan T. Merritt
Ben John Aunan Michael R. Reagoso
MEMBER ABSENT: Michael Derby, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: Zevi Thomas, Executive Director
Raquel Meyers, Assistant Executive Director Matthew Venuti, Board Counsel
Noraida Lozano, Administrative Specialist
OTHER PRESENT: Daniel McClay, PIT Applicant
CALLED TO ORDER
Rashida I. Sims, Esq., Acting Chair, called the Business Meeting of the Maryland Pilots Board to order at 10:30 a.m., virtually via https://meet.google.com/ebw-pykh-osg, Phone # (US)
+1 321-558-2498 PIN: 429 006 324#.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board members reviewed the minutes of the Business Meeting held on January 9, 2026. Motion (I) was made by Capt. Nielsen, seconded by Capt. Buckler, and unanimously carried by the Board to approve the minutes without corrections.
INCIDENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Aunan reported the following on behalf of the Incident Committee:
Incident # 01-BP-26 – Recommended to be closed.
Incident # 01-BP-25 - Remains open, under Federal investigation.
Motion (II) was made by Mr. Reagoso, seconded by Capt. Merritt, and unanimously carried by the Board to accept the Incident Committee report.
PILOT COMPLEMENT REPORT
Captain Nielsen reported the following:
Arrivals – Up by 8.5%
Harbor Shifts – Down by 5%
Cargo – The 2025 data is already available. The record shows the second-best year for Total Foreign Cargo. General Cargo improved compared to last year but is still below peak levels. The Foreign Bulk Cargo was the second-best year ever on record.
Retiring Pilots – Three (3) pilots have already retired this year, and perhaps one (1) more based on nearing retirement age.
PIT – The Association of MARYLAND Pilots does not recommend starting any applicants into the Pilot-In-Training program in July; instead, wait until a new list is created by the end of September 2026.
Motion (III) was made by Mr. Reagoso, seconded by Mr. Aunan, and unanimously carried by the Board to approve the Pilot Complement reports.
WORK RULES COMMITTEE REPORT - NONE
PILOT-IN-TRAINING (PIT) SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT
Ms. Sims reported that the Pilot-in-Training (PIT) Selection Committee met and reviewed the applicant files on February 27, 2026. There were 45 PIT candidates selected for interviews. The PIT list was submitted to Board Administration to initiate notifications. As of March 5, 2026, applicants were notified via email and postal mail and given two weeks to confirm their acceptance and preferred dates.
The Committee plans to interview nine (9) applicants per day over five days, starting May 1st and concluding September 21st. The final list will be ready in advance of the October 2026 Board meeting.
Motion (IV) was made by Capt. James, seconded by Capt. Nielsen and unanimously carried by the Board, to accept the Pilot-In-Training Report.
QUALIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT - NONE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Thomas reported that the selected Pilot-in-Training (PIT) interview candidates have been notified via email and postal correspondence. Approximately twelve (12) candidates have confirmed their acceptance. He anticipates receiving all responses by the March 16th deadline and submitting the final list to the PIT Selection Committee to begin the interview process.
CORRESPONDENCE - None
NEW BUSINESS - None
OLD BUSINESS - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Motion (V) was made by Capt. James, seconded by Mr. Aunan, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 10:43 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026 at 10:30 am.
(Signature on File) June 5, 2026
Rashida Sims, Esq, Acting Chair Date