Section 777.125 - Ports may maintain tug and pilotage service; charges; port's liability limited; salvage claims(1) A port may establish, maintain and operate a tugboat and pilotage service in the port and between the port and the sea. To provide such service, it may purchase, lease, control and operate tugboats and pilot boats and collect charges from vessels employing such tugs for towage or pilotage services.(2) The charges for towage and pilotage shall be fixed by the board and filed in the records of the port. A port is entitled to a lien upon a vessel for any sums due the port for piloting or towing such vessel. The master and owner of such vessel shall, in addition, be jointly and severally liable to the port for the sums due.(3) If a vessel or cargo, while being towed by a vessel owned or operated by a port or while under the charge of a pilot employee thereof, suffers injury or loss by reason of the fault of the tug, or the negligence or incompetency of the pilot, the port shall not be liable for any loss or injury thereof in excess of $5,000.(4) A port may claim and collect salvage for services rendered to vessels in distress in the same manner as a natural person. Amended by 1971 c.728 §20