15Ship sanitation certification inspection

15 Ship sanitation certification inspection

(1) A biosecurity officer must conduct a ship sanitation certification inspection of a vessel if: (a) the vessel is at a declared port; and (b) either: (i) a ship sanitation certificate is not in force for the vessel; or (ii) a biosecurity officer finds evidence of a sanitation health risk associated with the vessel. (2) A biosecurity officer may conduct a ship sanitation certification inspection of a vessel at a declared port if: (a) the operator of the vessel requests that a ship sanitation certification inspection of the vessel be conducted; and (b) it is practicable for the vessel to be inspected at the port.

Note 1: If a ship sanitation certificate is in force for the vessel, but it is not practicable for the vessel to be inspected at the port, the operator of the vessel may request that the certificate be extended (see section 19).

Note 2: Division 4 of Part 2 of Chapter 4 of the Act, and certain other provisions of the Act, apply in relation to the vessel (see section 14 of this Part and section 257 of the Act). Under that Division, a biosecurity officer may secure the vessel, ask questions, require documents to be produced or affix a biosecurity control notice to the vessel.