12:10-5. Exclusive jurisdiction over surveys of damaged vessels and cargoes; sale of vessels
The port warden shall have exclusive cognizance of all matters relative to the surveys of vessels and their cargoes arriving at any place in his county in distress, or damaged while at such place. He shall be the judge of its fitness to be reshipped to its port of destination or whether it shall be sold for the benefit of whom it may concern. He shall, if called upon to do so, estimate the value or measurement of any vessel when it is in dispute or libeled, and record the same in the books of his office.