When two steamboats are moving in the same direction in waters within the jurisdiction of this state, neither shall be willfully so navigated as to run against, hinder or delay the other, or to run her aground, or to injure or impede her or unnecessarily to approach her within the distance of twenty yards.
Every master or other person in charge of a steamboat who shall violate this section shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred and fifty dollars. The owner or owners of the steamboat shall be jointly and severally liable for all damages occasioned by such offense.
N.J.S. § 48:8-12