Power of inspection

(1) Any officer of the Port Authority, justice of the peace, officer of customs, the Belize Coast Guard or member of the Belize Police Department may at any time inspect any vessel engaged in the coastal and river service for the purpose of satisfying himself that all the requirements of this Act have been complied with and may for this purpose call for and inspect any certificates granted under this Part. (2) If the owner, master or engineer refuses to permit the inspection of any certificates by any of the persons mentioned in sub-section (1), he commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. (3) Any person who impedes or obstructs any officer of the Port Authority, the Belize Coast Guard, justice of the peace, officer of customs or member of the Belize Police Department while making any inspection under sub-section (1), commits an offence and is liable to a fine not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. (4) Where a person fails to submit to the inspection of a vessel or of any certificates granted or required under this Part, the vessel shall be detained in accordance with the provisions of section 25. 20