89Power to detain vessels

89 Power to detain vessels

(1) A police officer may detain a vessel in Territory waters and bring it, or cause it to be brought, to a holding area, if the police officer reasonably suspects that the vessel is, will be or has been involved in an offence against this Ordinance. (2) If a police officer detains a vessel under subsection (1), the police officer must give written notice, within 14 days, to: (a) the owner of the vessel; or (b) if the owner is not able to be located—the person who had possession or control of the vessel immediately before it was detained. (3) If the police officer cannot conveniently give the notice in person, the officer may give the notice by fixing the notice to a prominent part of the vessel. (4) The notice must: (a) identify the vessel; and (b) state that the vessel has been detained; and (c) specify the reason for this; and (d) specify contact details of a police officer who can provide further information; and (e) include information about the return of the vessel.

Note: Division 5 deals with costs of detention.

(5) A person commits an offence if: (a) the person operates a vessel, or causes or permits the operation of a vessel, that has been detained under subsection (1); and (b) the vessel has not been released from detention; and (c) a police officer has not consented to the operation of the vessel by the person.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.