PART IIICustoms and Excise Control Areas
27Officers' powers of boarding
(1)
At any time while a ship is within the limits of a port, or an aircraft is at a customs and excise airport, or a vehicle is on an approved route, any officer and any other person duly engaged in the prevention of smuggling may board the ship, aircraft or vehicle and remain therein and rummage and search any part thereof.
(2)
The Commissioners may station officers in any ship at any time while it is within the limits of a port, and if the master of any ship neglects or refuses to provide—
(a)
reasonable accommodation below decks for any officer stationed therein; or
(b)
means of safe access to and egress from the ship in accordance with the requirements of any such officer,
the master shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of £50.