If satisfied that an applicant is eligible to receive a state privilege license for the operation of a cruise vessel or vessel, and upon tender of all license fees as required by law and regulation of the State Tax Commission and tender of such bond as required by Section 27-109-7 for the payment of license fees and taxes and the faithful performance of all requirements imposed by law or regulation or the conditions of the license, the commission shall issue to the applicant named, under the name or style designated, such license and/or certificate as may be appropriate or as is provided by law.
Any person operating a cruise vessel within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi at the time of passage of this chapter shall be allowed to continue to operate without a privilege license or certificate of suitability until such time as the commission shall issue or deny a privilege license and a certificate of suitability. Any person operating a cruise vessel under authority of this chapter may employ his own full-time pilot for the cruise vessel, provided that any such employee shall meet the requirements of all applicable United States Coast Guard rules and regulations.