Cap. 37 Art. 4Right of visit of in- coming vessels. S. 3 of Ord. VI of 1840,incorporated.

(1) It shall be lawful for the visiting Customs official to board any vessel arriving at Malta from any place beyond the seas, on the arrival of the vessel, or at any time thereafter; to stay on board until the vessel shall depart from Malta, or shall have completely discharged her cargo; to visit and inspect any part of the vessel, and to examine, mark, and secure any of the goods on board.

(2) Whoever shall obstruct or attempt to obstruct the official in boarding the vessel, or in staying on board, or in visiting or inspecting any part of the vessel, or in examining, marking, or securing any of the goods on board, or in carrying out any of his duties concerning such vessel or goods; or whoever shall conceal any of such goods from the official, on his inspecting any part of the vessel or examining any of such goods; or whoever shall obliterate or alter any mark made by the official on any of such goods; or whoever shall remove or render ineffectual, any fastening or other security with which the official may have secured any of such goods; or whoever shall fraudulently remove any of such goods which the official may have marked or secured, shall be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (€232.94) but not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (€2,329.37).