S.L. 499.34 Art. 14Measures to be taken for ships in need of assistance or in the event of a threat to maritime safety and the protection of the environment.

(1) Where, following an accident, an incident or polluting event according to regulation 11, or the accommodation of ships in need of assistance has arisen, the Authority deems, within the framework of international law, that it is necessary to avert, lessen or remove a serious and imminent threat to the Maltese coastline or related interests, or to the safety of other ships and their crews and passengers or to persons on shore, or to protect the marine environment, the Authority may, inter alia, take any one of the following non-exhaustive measures:

(a) restrict the movement of the ship or direct it to follow a specific course: Provided that this requirement does not affect the master’s responsibility for the safe handling of his ship;

(b) give official notice to the master of the ship to put an end to the threat to the environment or maritime safety;

(c) send an evaluation team aboard the ship to assess the degree of risk, help the master to remedy the situation and keep the coastal station informed thereof; and

(d) instruct the master to enter in a place of refuge in the event of imminent peril, or cause the ship to be piloted or towed.

(2) In the case of a ship which is towed under a towage or salvage agreement, the measures taken by the Authority under sub-regulation (1)(a) and (d) may also be addressed to the assistance, salvage and towage companies involved.