113SAPowers of high seas fishery inspectors to verify nationality of vessels

1. This section applies if a high seas fishery inspector—

2. intends to board and inspect a vessel for the purposes of section 113S; but
3. suspects on reasonable grounds that section 113S(1)(b) may not apply to the vessel because it is a ship without nationality.

4. The high seas fishery inspector may board and inspect the vessel for any evidence relevant to whether it has nationality and, if so, what the nationality is.

5. In exercising those powers, the high seas fishery inspector must—

6. give the master of the vessel evidence of the inspector’s identity and of the fact that the inspector is a high seas fishery inspector; and
7. provide to the master of the vessel a copy of a report on the boarding and inspection, including any objection or statement that the master has advised the high seas fishery inspector that the master wishes to have included in the report.

8. If, after exercising those powers, the high seas fishery inspector is satisfied that the vessel is—

9. a ship without nationality, section 113R applies as if the vessel were registered under the Ship Registration Act 1992 or flying the New Zealand flag:
10. a ship with nationality, sections 113S and 113T to 113V apply according to their terms (except that section 113T(1)(a) does not require the high seas fisheries inspector to again give evidence of their identity and position as a high seas fishery inspector to the master of the vessel).