A good question.
Mr. Chair, as far as the timing of the amendments and when they take place is concerned, we are proposing a three-year window where the current navigation officers will be able to avail themselves of a certificate without fee. Once we complete the three-year period on January 1, 2013, all new applicants will be able to come to the authority and write an examination, and if successful they will be issued a pilotage certificate.
As for the total cost, presently we have 400 individuals in the Great Lakes navigating with an exemption. They would be issued certificates without a cost to the industry. We are told today that about 30 to 40 new applicants will come through the system every year. Once that process is over, that is all the cost the industry will have to bear--to sit down for an examination.