(a) A vessel that goes out of a channel under the jurisdiction of a pilot board of a navigation district without the aid of a pilot is liable for the payment of half pilotage to:
(1) the pilot who brought the vessel into the channel; or
(2) the pilot who first offered the vessel services outside the bar, if the vessel did not employ a pilot to come in.
(b) The consignee of a vessel is responsible for pilot services offered under Subsection (a).