54Offence—operating etc. a vessel without a certificate of operation (master)

#### 54 Offence—operating etc. a vessel without a certificate of operation (master) (1) The master of a domestic commercial vessel commits an offence if: (a) the master operates the vessel, or causes or permits the vessel to be operated by another person; and (b) the operation of the vessel is not authorised by a certificate of operation in force for the vessel; and (c) the vessel is not exempt from the requirement to have a certificate of operation (see section 143). Penalty: 60 penalty units. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if: (a) the vessel is a hire and drive vessel being used wholly for recreational purposes; and (b) the master of the vessel is a hirer of the vessel. (3) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability. > Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.