S.L. 234.52 Art. 8Power to detain.

(1) A ship may be detained if anyone attempts to navigate it out of port in contravention of these regulations.

(2) An officer detaining the ship must serve on the master of the ship a notice which -

(a) states the reason for the detention; and

(b) requires the ship to comply with the terms of the notice until it is released by the competent authority.

(3) Where a ship, which is not a Maltese ship, is detained the Registrar General must immediately inform, in writing -

(a) the ship’s flag state administration; or if this is not possible,

(b) the Consul of the State of the flag administration; or in the Consul’s absence,

(c) the nearest diplomatic representative of the State of the flag administration.

(4) The written information referred to in sub-regulation (3) must set out all the circumstances of the decision to detain the ship.

(5) Where sub-regulation (3) applies the Registrar General must notify all relevant nominated surveyors or recognised organisations responsible for the issue of classification certificates.