N.J. Stat. tit. 12, ch. 9

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-2 Jurisdiction and powers

The harbor masters may regulate and station all vessels in the bay of New York or in the North river, within the limits of Hudson county, and the wharves thereof, and remove such ships and vessels as are not employed in receiving and discharging their cargoes, to make room for such others as are required to be more immediately accommodated for the purpose of receiving and discharging cargoes. As to the fact of the vessels being bona fide employed in receiving and discharging their cargoes, the harbor masters, or either of them, shall be the sole judges. The harbor masters, or either of them, may determine how far and in what instances it is the duty of persons having charge of vessels to accommodate each other in their respective situations.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-3 Adjusting differences with respect to position of coastwise vessels; fees

If upon application of the person having charge of any vessel employed in coasting trade within the United States and entering the bay of New York or the North river within the limits of Hudson county, the harbor masters, or either of them, shall adjust any difference respecting the situation or position of such vessel, they may demand from the party in default in the premises the sum of two dollars, excepting canal barges and boats, when the fee shall be one dollar, to be sued for and recovered in the names and for the use of the harbor masters.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-4 Supervising cleaning of wharves and docks; removal of nuisances

The harbor masters shall superintend and enforce the execution of all laws of this state for cleaning the wharves and docks and for preventing and removing nuisances in or upon them. If the person whose duty it is to remove such nuisance shall neglect to remove it within forty-eight hours after notice from the harbor masters, or either of them, so to do, the harbor masters may demand and receive from such person the sum of two dollars and fifty cents. In case of nonpayment of such sum on demand, the same may be sued for and recovered in the names of and for the use of the harbor masters.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-5 Oath

The harbor masters, before entering upon their duties, shall take an oath well, truly and faithfully to perform the duties of their appointment. The oath of the harbor masters shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-6 Restrictions on anchoring vessels in certain waters

No vessel shall be anchored within three hundred yards of the end of a pier extending from the shore of New Jersey into the waters of New York harbor, or of the North or Hudson rivers, between a point in Jersey City due west from the westmost point of Ellis island, and a point in the North river known as Castle point in the city of Hoboken. The harbor masters of Hudson county shall enforce this section.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-7 Violations; penalty

Any person having charge of any vessel who shall refuse or neglect to obey the directions of the harbor masters, or either of them, in matters within their authority to direct, or any person who shall resist or oppose the harbor masters, or either of them, in the execution of the duties of their office, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for each offense to be recovered with costs of suit in the name of the state treasurer. All such penalties, when collected, shall be paid to the state treasurer.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-8 Annual report of fees

The harbor masters shall report to the governor, under oath, the whole amount of fees received to the thirty-first of December, inclusive, in each year.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-9 Copy of laws to captain, owner or consignee of vessel

The harbor masters shall give a copy of this article to the captain, owner or consignee of any vessel who shall request the same, and no person shall be fined for a violation of this article until that has been done.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-11 Bond

The harbor master, before entering upon his duties, shall execute a bond to the state of New Jersey in the penal sum of one thousand dollars, with two sufficient sureties to be approved by the mayor of the city of Elizabeth conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties. He shall perform all the duties, exercise all the powers and derive all the emoluments imposed and authorized by this article.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-12 Jurisdiction and powers

The harbor master may regulate and station all vessels in the harbor of Elizabeth and Elizabeth creek, and remove from time to time such vessels as are not employed in receiving and discharging their cargoes, to make room for such others as require to be immediately accommodated for such purposes. As to the fact of the vessels being bona fide employed in receiving and discharging their cargoes, the harbor master shall be the sole judge. The harbor master may determine how far and in what instances it is the duty of persons having charge of vessels to accommodate each other in their respective situations.

N.J. Stat. § 12:9-13 Violations; penalty

Any person having charge of a vessel who shall refuse or neglect to obey the direction of the harbor master in matters within his authority to direct, or any person who shall resist or oppose the harbor master in the execution of the duties of his office, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars for each offense to be recovered with costs of suit in the name of the state. All such penalties, when collected, shall be paid to the state treasurer, and be subject to the disposition of the legislature.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026