Customs and Excise Management Act 1979

81 Power to regulate small craft

(1) In this section " small ships " means—

(a) ships not exceeding 100 tons register ; and

(b) hovercraft, of whatever size.

(2) The Commissioners may make general regulations with respect to small ships and any such regulations may in particular make provision as to the purposes for which and the limits within which such ships may be used.

(3) Different provision may be made by regulations under this section for different classes or descriptions of small ships.

(4) The Commissioners may, in respect of any small ship, grant a licence exempting that ship from all or any of the provisions of any regulations made under this section.

(5) Any such licence may be granted for such period, for such purposes and subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Commissioners see fit, and may be revoked at any time by the Commissioners.

(6) Any small ship which, except under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted under this section, is used contrary to any regulation made under this section, and any ship granted such a licence which is found not to have that licence on board, shall be liable to forfeiture.

(7) Every boat belonging to a British ship and every other vessel not exceeding 100 tons register, not being a fishing boat entered in the fishing boat register under the [1894 c. 60.] Merchant Shipping Act 1894, and every hovercraft, shall be marked in such manner as the Commissioners may direct, and any such boat, vessel or hovercraft which is not so marked shall be liable to forfeiture.