[§271G-10]  Applications for certificates ofpublic convenience and necessity.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided inthis section and in sections 271G-6 and 271G-12, no water carrier shall engagein operations between points within the State, unless such carrier holds acertificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the public utilitiescommission authorizing such operation, provided that no new application shallbe required for any common carrier by water who is the holder of a certificateof public convenience and necessity issued by the public utilities commission.

(b)  Applications for certificates shall bemade in writing to the commission, be verified under oath, and shall be in suchform and contain such information, and be accompanied by proof of service uponinterested parties as the commission shall, by regulation, require.

(c)  A certificate shall be issued to anyqualified applicant therefor, authorizing the whole or any part of theoperations covered by the application if it is found that the applicant is fit,willing, and able properly to perform the service proposed and to conform tothis chapter and the requirements, rules, and regulations of the commissionthereunder, and that the proposed service, to the extent to be authorized bythe certificate, is or will be required by the present or future publicconvenience and necessity; otherwise the application shall be denied.

(d)  Any water carrier transporting passengersunder any such certificate may occasionally deviate from the route over whichit is authorized to operate under the certificate under such rules andregulations as the commission may prescribe. [L 1974, c 94, pt of §1]