Any vessel (other than one owned or operated by the State of North Carolina or its political subdivisions or the United States government) from which oil or other hazardous substances is discharged in violation of this Part or any rule prescribed pursuant thereto, shall be liable for the pecuniary penalty and costs of oil or other hazardous substances removal specified in this Part and such penalty and costs shall constitute a lien on such vessel; provided, however, that said lien shall not attach if a surety bond is posted with the Commission in an amount and with sureties acceptable to the Commission, or a cash deposit is made with the Commission in an amount acceptable to the Commission. Provided further, that such lien shall not have priority over any existing perfected lien or security interest. The Commission may adopt rules providing for such conditions, limitations, and requirements concerning the bond or deposit prescribed by this section as the Commission deems necessary. (1973, c. 534, s. 1; c. 1262, s. 23; 1979, c. 535, s. 27; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 198.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.92

  • Commission: means the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. See North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.77
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Oil: shall mean oil of any kind and in any form, including, but specifically not limited to, petroleum, crude oil, diesel oil, fuel oil, gasoline, lubrication oil, oil refuse, oil mixed with other waste, oil sludge, petroleum related products or by-products, and all other liquid hydrocarbons, regardless of specific gravity, whether singly or in combination with other substances. See North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.77
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • United States: shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Vessel: shall include every description of watercraft or other contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water, whether self-propelled or otherwise, and shall include, but shall not be limited to, barges and tugs; provided that the term "vessel" as used herein shall not apply to any pleasure, sport or commercial fishing vessel which has a fuel capacity of less than 500 gallons and is not used to transport petroleum, petroleum products, or general cargo. See North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.77