Any person who removes, damages or destroys any buoy, beacon, channel marker or floating guide placed in the waters of this state by the proper exercise of the authority of the state or the harbor master of any harbor, or moors or in any manner attaches any boat, vessel or raft of any kind to such buoy, beacon, channel marker or floating guide, unless his life, or the safety of the vessel in which he is, is endangered, or cuts down, removes, damages or destroys any beacon or navigational aid erected on land in this state, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.
(1949 Rev., S. 4769; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 159; P.A. 77-123; P.A. 12-80, S. 7; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 29.)
History: 1969 act added reference to commissioner of transportation and deleted phrase “of this state” modifying “harbor master”; P.A. 77-123 deleted reference to U.S. lighthouse board, added references to channel markers and navigational aids, imposed minimum fine of $250 and raised maximum fine from $200 to $500 and added provision for imposition of prison term or both fine and imprisonment; P.A. 12-80 replaced penalty of a fine of not less than $250 or more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 60 days or both with a fine of not more than $1,000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 replaced “authority of the Commissioner of Transportation” with “the proper exercise of the authority of the state”, effective July 1, 2016.