Merchant Shipping Act 1995

284 Enforcing detention of ship.U.K.

(1)Where under this Act a ship is to be or may be detained any of the following officers may detain the ship—

(a)any commissioned naval or military officer,

[F1(b)any officer of a Minister of the Crown or Northern Ireland department who is authorised by the Secretary of State, either generally or in a particular case, to exercise powers under this section,]

(c)any officer of customs and excise, and

(d)any British consular officer.

F2[(1A)A notice of detention may—

(a)include a direction that the ship—

(i)must remain in a particular place, or

(ii)must be moved to a particular anchorage or berth, and

(b)if it includes such a direction, may specify circumstances relating to safety or the prevention of pollution in which the master may move his ship from that place, anchorage or berth.]

[F3(2)If a ship as respects which notice of detention has been served on the master proceeds to sea, otherwise than in accordance with such a notice, before it is released by a competent authority, the master of the ship shall be guilty of an offence.

F3(2A)If a ship as respects which notice of detention has been served on the master fails to comply with a direction given under subsection (1A)(a) above, the master of the ship shall be guilty of an offence.

F3(2B)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (2A) above shall be liable[F4—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50,000;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine]

[F4on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine].]

(3)The owner of a ship, and any person who sends to sea a ship, as respects which an offence is committed under subsection (2) [F5or (2A)] above shall, if party or privy to the offence, also be guilty of an offence under that subsection and liable accordingly.

(4)Where a ship proceeding to sea in contravention of subsection (2) above [F6or failing to comply with a direction given under subsection (1A)(a) above][F7carries away without his consent] any of the following who is on board the ship in the execution of his duty, namely—

(a)any officer authorised by subsection (1) above to detain the ship, or

(b)any surveyor of ships,

the owner and master of the ship shall each—

(i)be liable to pay all expenses of and incidental to the officer or surveyor being so [F8carried away]; and

(ii)be guilty of an offence.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(6)Where under this Act a ship is to be detained an officer of customs and excise shall, and where under this Act a ship may be detained an officer of customs and excise may, refuse to clear the ship outwards or grant a transire to the ship.

(7)When any provision of this Act provides that a ship may be detained until any document is produced to the proper officer of customs and excise the officer able to grant a clearance or transire of the ship is (unless the context otherwise requires) that officer.

(8)Any reference in this section to proceeding to sea includes a reference to going on a voyage or excursion that does not involve going to sea, and references to sending or taking to sea shall be construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 284(1)(b) substituted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(2); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch.

F2S. 284(1A) inserted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(3); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch.

F3S. 284(2)-(2B) substituted for s. 284(2) (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(4); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2 Sch.

F5Words in s. 284(3) inserted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(5); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch.

F6Words in s. 284(4) inserted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(6)(a); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch. 1

F7Words in s. 284(4) substituted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(6)(b); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch. 1

F8Words in s. 284(4)(i) substituted (23.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(6)(c); S.I. 1997/1082, art. 2, Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3010, reg. 15(3)(b)

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (27.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/529, reg. 8

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (20.6.1997) by S.I. 1997/1320, reg. 16(1)

S. 284 extended (with modifications) to Jersey (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/2598, arts. 2, 3, Sch. 1

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (6.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/209, reg. 9

S. 284 extended (with modifications) to Guernsey (11.3.1998) by S.I. 1998/260, arts. 2, 3, Sch. 1

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (11.5.1998) by S.I. 1998/1012, reg. 106

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1419, reg. 9

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (28.9.1998) by The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2070), regs. 1(1), 49 (as substituted (24.12.2021) by S.I. 2021/1316, reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 14)

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (12.11.1998) by S.I. 1998/2515, reg. 74

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2647, reg. 8

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (16.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2771, reg. 9

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (10.2.1999) by S.I. 1999/17, reg. 9

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1644, art. 17

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (5.8.1999) by S.I. 1999/1957, reg. 25

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (5.8.1999) by S.I. 1999/2998, reg. 18(2)

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3210, reg. 27(1)

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/9, reg. 9

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (15.2.2002) by S.I. 2001/3444, reg. 12

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3209, reg. 9(7)

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (23.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/2201, reg. 11

S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/ 2055, reg. 15

C2S. 284 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (12.12.2006) by The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2950), arts. 1, 5(f)

C5S. 284 applied (E.W.) (27.3.2007 for W., 6.4.2007 for E.) by Animal Welfare Act 2006 (c. 45), ss. 55(3), 68(3) (with ss. 1(2), 58(1), 59, 60); S.I. 2007/1030, art. 2(1)(h); S.I. 2007/499, art. 2(2)(j)

C6S. 284 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 4 of the amending S.I.) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3077), regs. 1, 19(1)

C7S. 284 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 4 of the amending S.I.) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3075), regs. 1, 20(1)

C12S. 284 applied (with modifications) (1.12.2009) by The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2796), regs. 1, 12(5) (with reg. 3)

C20S. 284 applied (with modifications) (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Merchant Shipping (Compulsory Insurance of Shipowners for Maritime Claims) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2267), regs. 1(2), 9(2) (with reg. 3)

C32S. 284 applied (with modifications) (23.10.2017) by The Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/943), regs. 1, 15(1) (with reg. 3)

C41S. 284 applied (with modifications) (31.7.2020) by The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/673), regs. 1(1), 12(3) (with reg. 3)

C48S. 284 applied in part (with modifications) (1.3.2022 at 3.00 p.m.) by S.I. 2019/855, reg. 57D(8) (as inserted by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/203), regs. 1(2), 6)

C51S. 284 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2022) by The Merchant Shipping (Nuclear Ships) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1169), regs. 1(1), 33(3) (with reg. 3)

C52S. 284: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (15.12.2022) by The Merchant Shipping (Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1334), arts. 1(1), 4(f)

C54S. 284(1)-(6)(8) modified (23.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2687, reg. 10

C55S. 284(1)-(3)(8) applied (with modifications) (29.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2205, reg. 16

C56S. 284(1)-(5)(8) applied (with modifications) (31.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2857, reg. 12

S. 284(1)-(5)(8) applied (with modifications) (31.3.1998) by S.I. 1997/2962, reg. 29

S. 284(1)-(5)(8) applied (with modifications) (25.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2205, reg. 16

S. 284(1)-(5)(8) applied (with modifications) (7.9.2002) by S.I. 2002/2125, reg. 17

C57S. 284(1)-(6)(8) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/647, reg. 12

S. 284(1)-(6)(8) applied (with modifications) (3.8.1998) by S.I. 1998/1609, reg. 10

C61S. 284(1)-(6) applied (with modifications) (16.8.2004) by The Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1713), regs. 1, 16(3) (with reg. 3)

C66S. 284(8) modified by S.I. 1996/3010, reg. 15(3) (as substituted (20.4.2004) by The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous or Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/930), regs. 1(1), 7)

C67S. 284(8) applied by S.I. 1994/2464, reg. 11 (as substituted (20.4.2004) by The Merchant Shipping (Gas Carriers) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/929), regs. 1(1), 7)

C68S. 284(8) applied (with modifications) (16.8.2004) by The Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1713), regs. 1, 16(3) (with reg. 3)