Cap. 234 Art. 288Power to deal with goods suspected of being dangerous. 

(1) The master, or the owner, or the bareboat charterer of any vessel, whether Maltese or foreign, may refuse to take on board any package or parcel which he suspects to contain any dangerous goods, and may require it to be opened to ascertain the fact.

(2) Where any dangerous goods, or any goods which in the judgement of the master, or the owner, or the bareboat charterer of the vessel are dangerous goods, have been sent or brought aboard any vessel as aforesaid without being marked, or without such notice having been given, as provided in article 286, the master, or the owner, or the bareboat charterer of the vessel may cause those goods to be thrown overboard, together with any package or receptacle in which they are contained, and neither the master, nor the owner nor the bareboat charterer of the vessel shall be subject to any liability, civil or criminal, in any court for so throwing the goods overboard.