Any operator of a vessel who has received a visual and audible signal, a red light and a siren, from any duly authorized peace officer of this state, operating a vessel showing the same to be a law enforcement vessel, directing the said operator to bring his vessel to a stop and who willfully increases his speed or extinguishes his lights in an attempt to elude such officer, or willfully attempts in any other manner to elude the officer, or who does elude such officer, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Said peace officer, while attempting to stop a violator of this section, may communicate a request for the assistance of other duly authorized peace officers from any office, department or agency of this state. Any such officer within this state, having knowledge of such request, is authorized to render such assistance in stopping the violator and may effect an arrest under this section upon probable cause.