Recovery of fines6
1
Where a fine is imposed by a magistrates' court on the master, owner or charterer, or a member of the crew, of a fishing boat who is convicted by the court of a relevant offence or an offence under article 11, the court may—
a
issue a warrant of distress against the boat involved in the commission of the offence and its gear and catch and any property of the person convicted for the purpose of levying the amount of the fine; and
b
order that boat and its gear and catch to be detained for a period not exceeding three months from the date of the conviction or until the fine is paid or the amount of the fine is levied in pursuance of any such warrant, whichever occurs first.
2
Sections 77(1) and 78 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 198010 (postponement of issue of, and defects in, warrants of distress) shall apply to a warrant of distress issued under this article in England as they apply to a warrant of distress issued under Part III of that Act.
3
Where in relation to a fine in respect of a relevant offence an order under Article 95 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 198111 or section 222 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 199512 (both of which deal with transfer of fines from one jurisdiction to another) specifies a petty sessions area in England this article shall apply as if the fine were imposed by a court within that petty sessions area or petty sessions district.