PART IIPrincipal Pilotage Provisions

Pilot Boats and Pilot Signals

49Signals to be displayed by ships requiring a pilot

(1)

Her Majesty may by Order in Council make rules as to the signals to be used or displayed where the services of a pilot are required on any vessel, and those signals are in this Act referred to as " pilot signals ".

(2)

If a vessel requires the services of a pilot, the master of that vessel shall use or display the pilot signals.

(3)

If without reasonable excuse a master of a vessel uses or displays, or causes or permits any person under his authority to use or display, any of the pilot signals for any other purpose than that of summoning a pilot, or uses or causes or permits any person under his authority to use any other signal for a pilot, he shall be liable on summary conviction in respect of each offence to a fine not exceeding—

(a)

in England and Wales and in Scotland, level 2 on the standard scale,

(b)

in Northern Ireland, £50.