(1) The commission may issue temporary certificates for authority to provide service for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.

(2) The commission shall not issue a temporary certificate to operate on a route for which a certificate has been issued or for which an application is pending.

(3) The commission shall only issue temporary certificates upon finding that the issuance is due to an urgent and immediate need and is otherwise consistent with the public interest. In determining whether to grant the requested temporary certificate, the commission will consider evidence of the following factors:

(a) An immediate and urgent need for the requested service;

(b) Any available service capable of meeting the need;

(c) The fitness of the applicant; and

(d) Any other circumstance indicating that a grant of temporary authority is consistent with the public interest.

(4) An application for a temporary certificate shall be completed legibly on a form furnished by the commission, giving all information requested and accompanied by:

(a) The application fee;

(b) A copy of a certificate or letter from the United States Coast Guard certifying that any vessel to be used under that temporary certificate has been inspected by the United States Coast Guard and is safe and seaworthy for the intended operation;

(c) Evidence of proper insurance as required by WAC 480-51-070;

(d) Statements from potential customers, riders, shippers or interested parties demonstrating that there is an immediate and urgent need for the requested service.

(5) The commission shall send a notice of each temporary certificate granted, with a description of the temporary certificate's terms, to all persons presently certificated to provide service; all present applicants for certificates to provide service; the department of transportation; affected cities and counties; and any other person who has requested, in writing, to receive such notices. Interested persons may file a protest with the commission within twenty days after service of the notice. The protest shall state the specific grounds for opposing the application and contain a statement of the interest of the protestant in the proceeding.

(6) The commission may grant or deny the protest without hearing. The commission may, in its discretion, on the application of a party, or on its own motion, order a brief adjudicative proceeding on the protest. WAC 480-07-610 governs applications for and procedures in brief adjudicative proceedings.

(7) The commission may impose special terms and conditions in connection with the grant of any temporary certificate.

(8) If the holder of temporary authority files a valid application for parallel permanent certificated authority within thirty days after the grant of temporary authority, that temporary authority shall continue in force until the commission grants or denies the application for the permanent certificate authority, or until the temporary certificate is otherwise cancelled pursuant to law, whichever occurs first.