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

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

     (c)  A certificate shall be issued to any qualified applicant therefor, authorizing the whole or any part of the operations 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 to this chapter and the requirements, rules, and regulations of the commission thereunder, and that the proposed service, to the extent to be authorized by the certificate, is or will be required by the present or future public convenience and necessity; otherwise the application shall be denied.

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