Harbours Act, 1946

Power to require loading or discharge of cargo.

69.—(1) Whenever any delay occurs in loading or discharging a cargo of a vessel within the limits of a harbour and the harbour master of the harbour considers the delay unreasonable, the harbour master may require the master of the vessel to load or discharge the cargo within a specified period.

(2) If the master of a vessel refuses or fails to comply with a requirement made on him by the harbour master of a harbour and authorised by this section or if the harbour master of a harbour cannot find the master of a vessel in relation to which the harbour master wishes to make a requirement authorised by this section—

(a) the harbour master may carry out the requirement and do all things necessary for or incidental to that purpose,

(b) the expenses incurred in so carrying out the requirement shall be paid by the master of the vessel to the harbour authority for the harbour and, in default of payment, may be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.