Western Australian Consolidated Acts

SHIPPING AND PILOTAGE ACT 1967 - SECT 7

7 .         Special powers of harbour master in emergencies

        (1)         Where the harbour master of a port is satisfied that a dangerous situation exists in a port and that —

            (a)         the presence of a vessel within the port constitutes a danger to the safety of persons, or to another vessel or to valuable property within the port; and

            (b)         it is impossible to remove the vessel from the port or that the removal of the vessel from the port would itself create a danger to the safety of persons or to another vessel or to valuable property within the port,

                the harbour master may order the master of the vessel, the presence of which constitutes such a danger, to forthwith scuttle the vessel and, if the master fails to comply forthwith with that order, the harbour master may by any means that he thinks fit, cause the vessel to be scuttled.

        (2)         An action shall not be brought against the Crown, the Minister, a harbour master or any person acting under the authority of a harbour master for loss or damage occasioned by any act done in good faith pursuant to the powers conferred by this section.