A master, agent, owner, charterer or consignee may not charge a commission or receive any payment directly or indirectly, for the assignment of pilotage, nor may any pilot pay or offer to pay to any person any commission for the assignment of pilotage. Any person violating this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $5,000 may be adjudged for each violation. [PL 1999, c. 355, §19 (AMD).]