Cap. 234 ст. 301Signals of distress. 

(1) The Minister may make rules prescribing what signals shall be used by Maltese ships as signals of distress and the circumstances in which, and the purposes for which, any signal so prescribed is to be used and the circumstances in which it is to be revoked.

(2) If the master of a ship uses or displays or permits any person under his authority to use or display -

(a) any signal prescribed under this article except in the circumstances and for the purposes prescribed by the rules made under this article; or

(b) any signal that is liable to be mistaken for any signal so prescribed, he shall be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding fifty units and shall further be liable for any compensation for any labour undertaken, risk incurred, or loss sustained, in consequence of the signal having been supposed a signal of distress.

(3) Nothing in article 300(3) shall interfere with the transmission of signals prescribed under this article.

 302. No Maltese ship, being a ship of over one hundred and fifty tons gross tonnage, shall proceed to sea unless the ship is provided with a signalling lamp of a type approved by the Minister;

and if any ship proceeds or attempts to proceed to sea in contravention of this article, the owner, or bareboat charterer or master thereof shall for each offence be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding twenty units.