(1)Except in case of emergency, the owner or master of a vessel—
(a)which it is intended to bring into the port carrying dangerous goods; or
(b)which is within the port and on which it is intended to place dangerous goods;
shall, before that vessel enters the port or before the dangerous goods are placed on board, as the case may be, give notice to the harbour master of the nature and quantity of the dangerous goods in question and, if such notice is not given, the owner or master of the vessel shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds:
Provided that the notice required by this subsection shall, when practicable, be given not less than twenty-four hours before the vessel enters the port or the dangerous goods are placed on board, as the case may be.
(2)Where the owner or master of a vessel is charged with an offence under subsection (1) of this section it shall be a defence to prove that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained the nature of the goods in respect of which the proceedings are taken.
(3)The Authority may exempt owners or masters from the requirements of this section where the Authority consider a notice unnecessary.