S.L. 499.34 Art. 21Offences and penalties.

(1) Any person who fails to comply with any of the requirements prescribed in these regulations shall, for a first offence and on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eghty-

seven cents (€11,646.87) for each such offence, and in the case of a continuing offence or offences, to a further fine not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (€1,164.69) for each offence for every day or part thereof during which such offence or offences continue:

Provided also that the court shall order to whoever is convicted of an offence against these regulations, to pay those expenses that the competent authority, or any other person or party, has incurred as a result of that offence.

(2) It shall also be lawful for the court, in the case of any contravention committed by the operator or master of a ship to order the detention of the ship for a time not exceeding three months at the expense of the operator.

(3) Where any offence against the provisions of these regulations is committed by a body of persons or body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a director, manager or other similar officer of such body of persons or body corporate, or was purporting to act in any such capacity, shall be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge and that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence.

(4) Proceedings for an offence against these regulations shall be taken before the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be, and shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code regulating the procedure before the said courts as courts of criminal jurisdiction.