California · Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC

HNC §132: Every person who, within the anchorage of any port, harbor, or cove of this State, into which vessels may enter for the purpose of receiving or discharging cargo, throws overboard from any vessel all

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A person commits a misdemeanor by throwing ballast overboard from a vessel or placing navigation obstructions in state ports, harbors, or coves.

Read the full statutory text

Every person who, within the anchorage of any port, harbor, or cove of this State, into which vessels may enter for the purpose of receiving or discharging cargo, throws overboard from any vessel all or any part of the ballast, or who otherwise places or causes to be placed in such port, harbor, or cove, any obstructions to navigation, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.