Detention of foreign vessels

(1) Where a foreign vessel engaged in the coastal and river service is, whilst at any port or place in Belize, unsafe by reason of the defective condition of her hull, equipment or machinery, or by reason of over loading or improper loading, or by reason of under-manning, and engages or is about to take passengers from Belize, the vessel may be provisionally detained by the Harbour Master, or any officer of customs, magistrate of the district or a justice of the peace, the Belize Coast Guard, the Port Authority or any member of the Belize Police Department. (2) Any person who detains a vessel pursuant to sub-section (1), shall at once report to the Harbour Master the fact of the (3) The Harbour Master shall forthwith report in writing the fact of detention of the vessel to the recognised consular officer, if there be one for the state to which the vessel belongs, or if there be no such officer, to the consignee of the vessel. (4) Where a vessel has been provisionally detained, the consular officer, if there be one, or if there be no such officer, the consignee of the vessel may on the request of the owner or master of the vessel, require that the person appointed by the Harbour Master to survey the vessel shall be accompanied by such person as the consular officer or consignee may select, and in such case, if the surveyor and such person agree, the Harbour Master shall cause the vessel to be detained or released accordingly, but if they differ the Harbour Master may act as if the requisition had not been made and may order a survey to be made as is provided in the case of a British ship under Part IV. (5) The consular officer or the consignee, as the case may be, instead of requiring the Harbour Master to appoint a person to survey the ship, may with the consent of the owner or master undertake not to carry passengers, and in such case the Harbour Master may order that the vessel be released on the condition that she does not carry passengers from Belize. Harbours and Merchant Shipping [CAP. 234 23 (6) No foreign vessel may enter the internal or territorial waters of Belize and engage in any commercial activity, unless the vessel has been duly authorised by the Harbour Master. (7) In granting approval required under sub-section (6), the Authority may require the foreign vessel to submit to inspection for the issue of a seaworthiness certificate. (8) Any master who violates this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or in default to two years imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment. (9) Any vessel that contravenes this section may be detained by the Harbour Master.