Medway Ports Authority Act 1973

20 General directions to vessels in the port and the Medway approach area

(1) The Authority may, after consultation in each case with the pilotage authority and the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, give directions for the purpose of promoting or securing conditions conducive to the ease, convenience or safety of navigation in the port and the Medway approach area and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, for any of the following purposes:—

(a) for designating areas, routes or channels in the port or the Medway approach area which vessels are to use or refrain from using for movement or mooring;

(b) for securing that vessels move only at certain times or during certain periods;

(c) for prohibiting-

(i) entry into or movement in the port or the Medway approach area by vessels at times of poor visibility due to the weather or to the presence of dust or smoke; and

(ii) entry into the port or the Medway approach area by a vessel which for any reason would be, or be likely to become, a danger to other vessels in the port or the Medway approach area;

(d) requiring the master of a vessel to give to the harbour master information relating to the vessel reasonably required by the harbour master in order to effect the objects of this subsection.

(2) Directions given under subsection (1) of this section may apply—

(a) to all vessels or to a class of vessels designated, or the designation of which is provided for, in the direction;

(b) to the whole of the port or the Medway approach area or to a part designated, or the designation of which is provided for, in the direction; and

(c) at all times or at times designated, or the designation of which is provided for, in the direction;

and every direction made under this section shall specify the extent of its application in relation to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(3) The Authority may, after consultation with the pilotage authority and the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, revoke or amend directions given under this section.