2014 California Code
Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.  

This act shall be known as the Harbors and Navigation Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

2.  

The provisions of this code in so far as they are substantially the same as existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter shall be construed as restatements and continuations, and not as new enactments.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

3.  

All persons who, at the time this code goes into effect, hold office under any of the acts repealed by this code, which offices are continued by this code, continue to hold them according to their former tenure.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

4.  

Any action or proceeding commenced before this code takes effect, and any right accrued, is not affected by this code, but all procedure taken shall conform to the provisions of this code as far as possible.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

5.  

Unless the provision or the context otherwise requires, these definitions, rules of construction and general provisions shall govern the construction of this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

6.  

Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

7.  

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, a public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized, pursuant to law, by the officer, unless this code expressly provides otherwise.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

8.  

Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement, or record is required or authorized by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided otherwise.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

9.  

Whenever reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law of this state, such reference applies to all amendments and additions now or hereafter made.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

10.  

“Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned. Subdivision means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

11.  

The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

12.  

The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

13.  

The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

14.  

“County” includes city and county.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

15.  

“City” includes city and county.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

16.  

“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

17.  

“Oath” includes affirmation.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

18.  

“Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber can not write, such signer’s or subscriber’s name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer’s or subscriber’s name; but a signature or subscription by mark can be acknowledged or can serve as a signature or subscription to a sworn statement only when two witnesses so sign their own names thereto.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

19.  

“Person” means any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1010, Sec. 146. Effective January 1, 1995.)

20.  

“State” means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. In the latter case, it includes the District of Columbia and the territories.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

21.  

“Vessel” includes ships of all kinds, steamboats, steamships, canal boats, barges, sailing vessels, and every structure adapted to be navigated from place to place for the transportation of merchandise or persons.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

22.  

“Steam vessel” means any vessel which is propelled by machinery.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

23.  

“Wharf” includes pier, quay, or landing.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

24.  

“Goods” includes wares or merchandise.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

25.  

If any provision of this code, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the code, or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

(Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)