Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMerchant Shipping (Collision and Distress Signals) Regulations, 20058. Offences, penalties and defences* |
| (1) | A person who contravenes or fails to comply with regulation 5(4) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months. |
| (2) | If any provision of these regulations is contravened by or in relation to a craft referred to in regulation 4(2)(b) or (c), then the person having charge or command of that craft commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months. |
| (3) | In proceedings for an offence in terms of subregulation (1) or (2) it is a defence to prove that the accused took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid committing the offence. |
* Refer also to section 313(3) of the Act.