119Safety zones

119 Safety zones

(1) For the purpose of protecting a well or structure, or any equipment, in an adjacent area, or a part of an adjacent area, the Designated Authority may, by instrument published in the Gazette, prohibit: (a) all vessels; (b) all vessels other than specified vessels; or (c) all vessels other than the vessels included in specified classes of vessels; from entering or remaining in a specified area (in this section called a safety zone) surrounding the well, structure or equipment without the consent in writing of the Designated Authority. (2) A safety zone specified in an instrument under subsection (1) may extend to a distance of 500 metres around the well, structure or equipment specified in the instrument measured from each point of the outer edge of the well, structure or equipment. (3) Where a vessel enters or remains in a safety zone specified in an instrument under subsection (1) in contravention of the instrument, the owner and the person in command or in charge of the vessel are each guilty of an offence against this section and are punishable, upon conviction, by imprisonment for not more than 10 years. (4) An offence against subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.