(A) An apprentice in the Lower Coastal Area shall serve three years before being eligible to take an examination for the initial short branch license. During an apprenticeship, licensed pilots shall take an apprentice on board all types of vessels, so that the apprentice may become thoroughly competent for the discharge of piloting duties. An apprentice successively shall hold a:

(1) first branch license with a tonnage restriction in service six months before being eligible to take an examination for the second branch license;

(2) second branch license with no tonnage restriction in service six months before being eligible for the third branch license;

(3) the third branch license in service one year before being eligible to take an examination for the fourth branch license;

(4) fourth branch license in service one year before being eligible to take an examination for a full license or branch.

The South Carolina Commissioners of Pilotage for the Lower Coastal Area shall establish in regulation the tonnages and draft restrictions for each short branch license.

(B) In determining qualifications for apprentices, the South Carolina Commissioners of Pilotage may consider previous maritime experience in the port as defined by regulation. No apprentice, however, may be granted a license until the number of pilots falls below the number set by the South Carolina Commissioners of Pilotage for the port through regulations promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.

(C) If two or more apprentices are eligible to offer for examination at the same time, the seniority of securing a license must be determined by the proficiency of the respective apprentices, established at the examination.

(D) In accordance with regulations promulgated by the South Carolina Commissioners of Pilotage for the port, apprentices for the port may be granted emergency or temporary licenses if necessary.