(A) The Port Director shall be responsible for search and rescue operations upon the water of the port, excluding inland lakes, rivers, and streams.
(B) In cases involving vessels requiring emergency or search and rescue services, the port shall be reimbursed by the vessel and vessel operator for time and materials expended on such an effort if:
(1) The vessel or operator involved has repeatedly shown failure to take normal and appropriate steps to assure safety at sea; or
(2) The vessel or operator involved has shown negligence in normal and appropriate vessel repair and maintenance resulting in repeated and avoidable search and rescue call out; or
(3) The vessel or operator is otherwise responsible for repeated and avoidable search and rescue call out; or
(4) The vessel or operator requests harbor patrol vessel service for non-emergency tasks.
(C) The city shall hold and retain a lien, maritime or otherwise, against a vessel that is liable to the city under subsection (B) of this section to the extent such lien is allowed by applicable federal and state law. The city may, at its option, enforce and foreclose such lien by suit in rem pursuant to applicable federal and state law. Such suit shall not preclude the city from pursuing any other remedy at law or in equity.