The South Carolina State Ports Authority shall have jurisdiction over the harbor and bay of Charleston and the rivers and creeks flowing therein, may preserve peace and good order in said bay and harbor and shall make such regulations as it may see fit, not repugnant to the laws of the land, for the regulation and government of vessels entering said port and waters so as to provide for their safe and convenient use thereof and for the protection and preservation of said bay, harbor, rivers and creeks from injury by means of deposit of ballast and other materials, the creation of obstructions or for any other cause whatsoever, with authority to prescribe such penalties for the violation of such regulations as it may deem adequate; provided, that such penalty shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars for each offense, together with the expense of removing such obstructions or interferences with navigation. The solicitor of the circuit shall enforce such penalties upon the information and at the request of the Authority.