(1) The Secretary may give a security direction to a security regulated ship by giving the direction to:
(a) the ship operator for the ship; or
(2) If the Secretary gives a ship operator a direction under subsection (1), the ship operator must, as soon as practicable, communicate the direction to the master of the ship covered by the direction.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the ship operator has a reasonable excuse.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).
(4) Subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.
(5) If a direction is given to a master by a ship operator as mentioned in subsection (2), the direction is taken to have been given to the master by the Secretary.