Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP § 71.154. Liability of Certain Vessels Declining Pilot Services

(a) A vessel that, without the aid of a pilot serving in the jurisdiction of the pilot board of a navigation district in Cameron County, moves or is otherwise under way on any channel or waterway in that board's jurisdiction and that fails to use pilot services available from pilots serving in that jurisdiction, is liable for the payment of twice the applicable pilotage rate to the first pilot serving in that jurisdiction who requests payment.

(b) The consignee of a vessel is responsible for the payment for pilot services available but not used under Subsection (a).