155Stopping and searching vessels

#### 155 Stopping and searching vessels (1) If a law enforcement officer reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so for the purposes of safeguarding against unlawful interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities, the law enforcement officer may do either or both of the following within a maritime security zone: (a) require the person in control of a vessel to stop the vessel; (b) search the vessel. (2) If a law enforcement officer stops a vessel under subsection (1), the law enforcement officer must: (a) identify himself or herself as a law enforcement officer to the person in control of the vessel; and (b) tell the person in control of the vessel why the vessel has been stopped; and (c) if the vessel is to be searched—tell the person in control of the vessel why the vessel is to be searched. (3) Before a law enforcement officer searches a vessel under subsection (1) that was not stopped by the officer, the officer must, if there is a person in control of the vessel present: (a) identify himself or herself as a law enforcement officer to the person; and (b) tell the person why the vessel is to be searched. (4) A person commits an offence if: (a) the person engages in conduct; and (b) the conduct hinders or obstructs a law enforcement officer in the exercise of a power under subsection (1). Penalty for an offence against this subsection: Imprisonment for 2 years.