18Discharge of distress signals

### 18 Discharge of distress signals > *\[Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 32 of 1963, s. 11 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 55 of 1965, s. 5 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 75 of 1973, s. 2 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 13 of 1987, s. 5 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1AA) (formerly 1A) inserted by No. 13 of 1987, s. 5 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1AA) renumbered by No. 46 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 3 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 62 of 1965, s. 6 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1A) amended by No. 55 of 1965, s. 5 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1A) amended by No. 13 of 1987, s. 5 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 18 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 13 of 1987, s. 5 and Sched. 1 \]*[*\[Section 18 Repealed by No. 1 of 2001, s. 13, Applied:12 Apr 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-04-12/act-2001-001#GS13@EN) > > > (1)  In this section – > > > > > [*\[Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2014, s. 17, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS17@EN) ***distress signal*** means a flare or electronic device that is normally used to signal distress. > > > (2)  A person must not, without reasonable excuse, discharge a distress signal. > > > > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units. > > > (3)  A person is not guilty of an offence under [subsection (2)](#GS18@Gs2@EN) if the distress signal was discharged – > > > > > > (a) for an emergency; or > > > > > > > (b) with the approval of the Marine and Safety Authority (established under the [Marine and Safety Authority Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-015) ); or > > > > > > > (c) with the approval of a police officer of or above the rank of inspector.