Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00094:section:181
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00094
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 181
Character Range: 172152–173340

181  Obligation to render assistance
 (1) The master of a vessel contravenes this subsection if:
 (a) the vessel is at sea; and
 (b) the master has reason to believe that one or more persons are in distress at sea; and
 (c) the master does not both:
 (i) cause the vessel to proceed as fast as practicable to the assistance of the person or persons; and
 (ii) inform the person or persons that the master is doing so.
 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
 (a) the master is unable to comply with paragraph (1)(c); or
 (b) in the special circumstances of the case, it is unreasonable or unnecessary for the master to comply with paragraph (1)(c); or
 (c) the master of the vessel is informed by the person or persons in distress, or by the master of another vessel, that assistance is no longer necessary; or
 (d) the master is informed that another vessel has been requisitioned and is complying with the requisition.

Fault‑based offence
 (3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 4 years.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).