Harbours Act, 1996

Power to require removal of ship.

47.—(1) For the purpose of carrying out any repairs or cleansing operations or for any other purpose arising in relation to a harbour, the harbour master of the harbour may, subject to any bye-laws in force in relation to the harbour, require the master of a ship which is at a place within the harbour to remove the ship therefrom and, when so removed, to place the ship at such place or anchorage as the harbour master may direct.

(2) If the master of a ship refuses or fails to comply with a requirement of a harbour master under this section or if a harbour master cannot find the master of a ship in relation to which the harbour master wishes to make a requirement under this section—

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

(b) the expenses incurred in so carrying out the requirement shall be paid by the master of the ship to the company by whom the harbour master is employed and, in default of payment, shall be recoverable by the company from the master as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) If the master of a ship refuses or fails to comply with a requirement of a harbour master under this section he or she shall be guilty of an offence.