(1) A vessel is screened when the vessel undergoes screening in accordance with regulations made under section 119 in preparation for:
(a) being taken on board another vessel; or
(b) entering an area within a security regulated port or an offshore security zone.
(2) A vessel receives clearance if:
(a) after being screened, the vessel is allowed, by a screening officer, to pass through the screening point; or
(b) the vessel passes through the screening point and the regulations provide, or the Secretary by written notice provides, that the vessel may pass through that screening point without being screened; or
(c) the vessel enters a cleared area or is taken on board a cleared vessel other than through a screening point and the regulations provide, or the Secretary by written notice provides, that the vessel may enter the area or be taken on board the other vessel that way.
(3) A vessel is cleared at a particular time if:
(a) the vessel has received clearance; and
(b) since receiving clearance, the vessel has at all times been in a cleared area or on a cleared vessel.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), a vessel is taken to be in a cleared area if the vessel is under the supervision or control prescribed in the regulations.
(5) To avoid doubt:
(a) a notice under paragraph (2)(b) may provide that a class of vessels may pass through a screening point without being screened; and
(b) a notice under paragraph (2)(c) may provide that a class of vessels may enter a cleared area or be taken on board a cleared vessel other than through a screening point.