This is the state commission that licensed the pilot aboard the Cosco Busan when it allided with the fender of a Bay Bridge tower and spilled oil into the bay.

The Board of Pilot Commissioners For the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun is seeking to suspend or revoke the state license of Captain John Cota. The board met yesterday.

Our impressions after the jump, along with the detailed, five-page "accusation" that lays out a theory for the cause of the accident, and hey, is the Cosco Busan really heading back to South Korea this afternoon?

Daniel Weintraub for one certainly thinks the pilot commission needs more scrutiny. For our part, we've only attended one meeting but what we saw was this: checks and balances, respect for due process, a willingness to share information, and an openness for hearing public comment. A judge will get involved with this process after the holidays.

Here is the formal accusation that was filed last week. That's the photorealistic version, here's the much easier to read pdf, courtesy of Telstar Logistics.

It looks as if the Busan will be heading out soon, although we doubt it will actually go to "Pier 9 out in the bay" on the way home. Maybe Anchorage 9? See for yourself around lunchtime where it really goes in realtime at the BoatingSF AIS map. Safe sailing.

Lashing together, a timbre design
No one is home, no one is blind
The last boat launched, cling to the rail
No one is home, they're in full sail