Part 4

Police powers
CHAPTER 5

Maritime enforcement: English and Welsh offences

Supplementary provision

Maritime enforcement powers: supplementary: protective searches
91
1
This section applies where a power conferred by section 88 is exercised in relation to a ship.
2
A law enforcement officer may search any person found on the ship for anything which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person might use to—
a
cause physical injury,
b
cause damage to property, or
c
endanger the safety of any ship.
3
The power under subsection (2) may be exercised on board the ship or elsewhere.
4
A law enforcement officer searching a person under subsection (2) may seize and retain anything found if the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person might use it for a purpose mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection.
5
Anything seized under subsection (4) may be retained only for so long as there are reasonable grounds to believe that it might be used as mentioned in that subsection.
6
The power to search a person conferred by subsection (2) does not authorise a law enforcement officer to require the person to remove any clothing in public, other than an outer coat, jacket or gloves.