Infectious Diseases Act 1976 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 5 · Prevention of International Spread of Infectious Diseases
45. Liability of master, owner or agent for expenses
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The master, owner and agent of any vessel which has been ordered into quarantine or of any vessel from which any person is removed for quarantine are responsible for —
master
“master”, in relation to a vessel, means the person for the time being in charge or command of the vessel;
the removal, care and maintenance, conveyance and surveillance of all persons on board the vessel; and
the provision of such services as the Director‑General of Public Health, the Director-General of Health, a Port Health Officer or a Health Officer considers necessary to ensure the satisfactory performance of the quarantine of the vessel and the persons on board.
The master, owner or agent of any vessel which has been ordered into quarantine, or to be cleansed, fumigated, disinfected or otherwise treated, must pay the costs and expenses of removal of any cargo and goods from the vessel incurred in the cleansing, fumigation, disinfection or treatment of the vessel.
owner
“owner”, in relation to any premises or vessel, means the person for the time being receiving the rent of the premises or vessel whether on the person’s own account or as agent, trustee or receiver or who would receive the same if the premises or the vessel were let or chartered;
The master, owner or agent of the vessel may make arrangement with the Director‑General of Public Health, the Director-General of Health, a Port Health Officer or a Health Officer for the carrying out of any of the responsibilities under this section and for the payment of the costs and expenses thereof.
vessel
“vessel” means any ship, boat, aircraft or a vessel of any description used in navigation by sea or air.
The Director-General of Public Health, the Director-General of Health, a Port Health Officer or a Health Officer may take any action he or she considers necessary to ensure that the vessel or any person or article on board performs the quarantine satisfactorily, and any expenses incurred thereby are recoverable from the owner or agent of the vessel as a debt due to the Agency or the Government, as the case may be.
Director-General
“Director-General” means the Director‑General of Public Health appointed under section 3(1) of the Environmental Public Health Act 1987;
The Director-General of Public Health, the Director-General of Health, a Port Health Officer or a Health Officer may require the master, owner or agent of the vessel to give such security as he or she thinks necessary to ensure that the master, owner or agent of the vessel will carry out their responsibilities under this section satisfactorily.
Port Health Officer
“Port Health Officer” means any Health Officer in charge of a port and includes his or her deputies and assistants;