Oil Pollution of the Sea Act, 1956

Powers of harbour masters.

22.—(1) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by section 21, a harbour master may, in the case of any vessel in the harbour—

(a) go on board the vessel and inspect the vessel and her machinery, boats, equipment and articles on board the vessel for the purpose of ascertaining the circumstances relating to an alleged discharge of oil or oily mixture from the vessel into the waters of the harbour;

(b) require the production of any prescribed record;

(c) copy any entry in any prescribed record and require the person by whom the record is to be kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry,

but not unnecessarily detaining or delaying the vessel from proceeding on her voyage.

(2) If any person—

(a) fails to comply with any such requirement, or

(b) wilfully impedes a harbour master in the exercise of his functions under this section,

he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.