((a)) The Secretary may authorize the formation of a pool by a voluntary association of United States registered pilots to provide for efficient dispatching of vessels and rendering of pilotage services.

((b)) For pilotage pools, the Secretary may—

((1)) limit the number of the pools;

((2)) prescribe regulations for their operation and administration;

((3)) prescribe a uniform system of accounts;

((4)) perform audits and inspections; and

((5)) require coordination on a reciprocal basis with similar pool arrangements authorized by the appropriate agency of Canada.