La. R.S. 34:961

When a vessel, inward or outward bound to or from the port of New Orleans employs as a pilot a person who is not a state commissioned bar pilot, when a bar pilot offers his services, the vessel, her captain and owners, shall be liable for a civil penalty of and shall forfeit to the state of Louisiana the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, with privilege on the vessel, to be recovered before any court of competent jurisdiction. An action for forfeiture under this Section may be brought by the attorney general of Louisiana or by the Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of New Orleans. If the Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of New Orleans obtains a judgment hereunder, the court shall include in its judgment a reasonable attorney's fee.