Section 5 - Control and monitoring of operations of wellboats
17.Section 5(1) enables the Scottish Ministers to make provision, in regulations, for or about controlling and monitoring the operation of any wellboat in Scotland. Section 5(2) contains provisions detailing the matters which may be provided for in regulations under section 5(1), including the measures that require to be taken to control the risk of the spread of parasites, etc as a result of wellboat operations and the specification of types of equipment that require to be installed in wellboats. Section 5(3) enables regulations under section 5(1) to impose requirements on the master, owner or charterer of a wellboat, as the case may be. Section 5(5) makes it an offence, punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to level 4 on the standard scale (section 5(8)), for a person to contravene any of the provisions of section 5(1) regulations, or fails to take any action required of them under those regulations. In cases where a section 6 enforcement notice has been served upon a person charged with an offence under section 5(5), section 5(6) prevents proceedings being taken against that person. Section 5(7) creates a reasonable excuse defence for persons charged with an offence under section 5(5). For example, the master of a wellboat may temporarily be unable to comply with requirements under the regulations on equipment where there has been an unforeseen and unpreventable delay in installation, or where installed equipment intended to reduce the spread of parasites is under repair.
