As used in this part, "political subdivision" means any local unit of government or port district of this state and any other governmental agency or subdivision, public corporation, authority, or district in this state, which is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, maintain, improve, and operate harbors, channels, and other navigational facilities. Whenever used in this part, the term political subdivision includes any combination of political subdivisions acting jointly.

     A political subdivision may do 1 or more of the following:

    (a) Adopt and amend all necessary rules, regulations, and ordinances for the management, government, and use of any waterways, harbors, channels, or other navigational facilities under its control, either within or outside of its territorial limits; employ harbor guards, police, or a harbormaster with full police powers; establish penalties for the violation of the rules, regulations, and ordinances; and enforce those penalties.

    (b) Adopt and enact rules, regulations, and ordinances designed to safeguard the public upon or beyond the limits of harbors, channels, connecting waterways, or other navigational facilities within the political subdivision or its political jurisdiction, which rules shall be consistent with and conform to, as nearly as possible, the laws of this state.

    (c) Vest authority for the maintenance, operation, and regulation thereof in an officer, board, or body of the political subdivision by ordinances or resolution which shall prescribe the duties and powers of the officers, boards, or body.

    (d) Employ a regular harbormaster for the harbors, channels, connecting waterways, or navigational facilities under its control; or, in cases where a harbor board or body is established, the harbormaster may be employed by the board or body.

     All powers, rights, and authority granted to any political subdivision in this part may be exercised and enjoyed by 2 or more political subdivisions, or by this state through its appropriate agencies and 1 or more such political subdivisions acting jointly, either within or outside of the territorial limits of either of them, and contracts may be entered with each political subdivision for the purposes of implementing this part and authorizing joint action.