# Fla. Stat. § 376.14: 376.14 Vessels; financial responsibility; claims against providers of financial responsibility; service of process against responsible parties

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.14

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 376.14
- **Heading:** 376.14 Vessels; financial responsibility; claims against providers of financial responsibility; service of process against responsible parties
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 376 / Section 376.14

## Text

(1) Each owner or operator of a terminal facility or vessel, including any barge, using any port in Florida shall be required to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility pursuant to federal laws and regulations. Such evidence of financial responsibility shall be the only evidence required by the department that such registrant or vessel has the ability to meet the liabilities which may be incurred under ss. 376.011-376.21.

(2) Any claim brought pursuant to ss. 376.011-376.21 by the fund or any damaged party against a responsible party may be brought directly against the bond, the insurer, or any other person providing the responsible party with evidence of financial responsibility.

(3) Each owner or operator of a terminal facility or vessel subject to the provisions of ss. 376.011-376.21 shall designate a person in the state as the owner’s or operator’s legal agent for service of process under ss. 376.011-376.21, and such designation shall be filed with the Department of State. In the absence of such designation, the Secretary of State shall be the designated agent for purposes of service of process under ss. 376.011-376.21.

History: s. 14, ch. 70-244; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 13, ch. 74-336; s. 615, ch. 95-148; s. 11, ch. 96-263.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 376.07 376.07 Regulatory powers of department; penalties for inadequate booming by terminal facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.07.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.09 376.09 Removal of prohibited discharges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.09.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.10 376.10 Personnel and equipment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.10.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.011 376.011 Pollutant Discharge Prevention and Control Act; short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.011.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.11 376.11 Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.11.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.12 376.12 Liabilities and defenses of responsible parties; liabilities of third parties; financial security requirements for vessels; liability of cargo owners; notification requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.12.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.13 376.13 Emergency proclamation; Governor’s powers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.13.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.14 376.14 Vessels; financial responsibility; claims against providers of financial responsibility; service of process against responsible parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.14.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.16 376.16 Enforcement and penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.16.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.19 376.19 County and municipal ordinances; powers limited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.19.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.20 376.20 Limitation on application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.20.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.021 376.021 Legislative intent with respect to pollution of coastal waters and lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.021.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.21 376.21 Construction of ss. 376.011-376.21.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.21.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 376.25 376.25 Gambling vessels; registration; required and prohibited releases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.25.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C376_S376.14. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.