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Power of officers to board ships, seal or secure goods and open locks, &c.
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47. The proper officers of the Customs may board any ship arriving at any port in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands, and stay on board until all the goods laden therein shall be duly delivered therefrom, or until her departure, and shall, have free access to every part thereof, with power to fasten down hatchways or entrances to the hold, and to mark any goods before landing, and to lock up, seal, mark, or otherwise secure any goods on board such ship; and if any place or any box or chest be locked, and the keys be withheld, any examining or superior officer may open any such place, box, or chest in the best manner in his power; and if any goods be found concealed on board any such ship, they shall be forfeited; and if the officers shall place any lock, mark, or seal upon any goods on board, or on any place or package in which the same may be, and such lock, mark, or seal be wilfully opened, altered, or broken before due delivery of such, goods, or if any of such goods be secretly conveyed away, of if the hatchways or entrances to the hold, after having been fastened down by the officer, be opened, the master of such ship shall forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds.
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