Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Marine Act 1988 - SECT 25

Distress signals

25. Distress signals



(1) A vessel must be provided in accordance with the regulations with the
means of making distress signals.

(2) A person on board a vessel who knowingly uses or displays or knowingly
causes or permits any person under his or her authority to use or display any
recognised distress signal except in the case of a vessel being in distress is
guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not
more than 3 months or a fine of not more than 20 penalty units or both.





(3) For the purposes of section 86 of the Sentencing Act 1991, compensation
for loss or destruction of, or damage to, property as a result of the offence
shall include compensation for-

   (a)  any work undertaken; or

   (b)  any risk incurred; or

   (c)  any loss sustained-

in consequence of the signal having been taken to be a distress signal.