Ala. Code § 33-3-4
The Director of the Alabama State Port Authority shall appoint a Harbor Master and may appoint up to three deputy harbor masters. It shall be the duty of the Harbor Master with the assistance of his or her deputy harbor masters, subject to the supervision of the Alabama State Port Authority, to perform all the duties and render all the services imposed upon the port authority by this chapter and all similar duties and services pertaining to the harbor and port required by other laws to be done and performed by the port authority, and, subject to such supervision, to enforce all rules and regulations promulgated by the port authority pursuant to its police powers and its powers to maintain a general and special supervision over the harbor and port and all vessels and other watercraft in or about the harbor or port as set forth in this chapter or any other laws pertaining thereto. The Harbor Master, acting on behalf of the Alabama State Port Authority, may contract with such harbor pilots as the Harbor Master may deem appropriate; provided, however, the Harbor Master shall not contract with any person to serve as a harbor pilot unless such person holds a federal license for Mobile Bay and its tributaries and also a state license issued by the Alabama State Port Authority.
Ala. Code § 33-3-4 (1975)