The Florida Senate

313.22  Vessel movements; penalties.--

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or chapter 314, each port may regulate vessel movements within its jurisdiction, whether involving public or private facilities or areas, by:

(a)  Scheduling vessels for use of berths, anchorages, or other facilities at the port.

(b)  Ordering and enforcing a vessel, at its own expense and risk, to vacate or change position at a berth, anchorage, or facility, whether public or private, in order to facilitate navigation, commerce, protection of other vessels or property, or dredging of channels or berths.

(c)  Designating port facilities for the loading or discharging of vessels.

(d)  Assigning berths at wharves for arriving vessels.

(2)  Each port may establish fees and compensation for the services described in subsection (1) that are provided by the port.

(3)  Any vessel that unnecessarily delays in moving under an order to vacate or change position may be penalized in an amount not exceeding $1,000 for each hour or fraction thereof, plus 150 percent of the demurrage costs incurred by a waiting vessel, until the order is complied with. The penalty shall be imposed and collected by the port issuing the movement order.

History.--s. 9, ch. 90-54; s. 1, ch. 91-198.