218.—Where a ship is about to arrive, is arriving, or has arrived at the end of her voyage, and any person, not being in Her Majesty’s service or not being duly authorised by law for the purpose,—

(a) goes on board the ship, without the permission of the master, before the seamen lawfully leave the ship at the end of their engagement, or are discharged (whichever last happens); or,

(b) being on board the ship, remains there after being warned to leave by the master, or by a police officer, or by any officer of the Board of Trade or of the customs,

that person shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds, or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months; and the master of the ship or any officer of the Board of Trade may take him into custody, and deliver him up forthwith to a constable to be taken, before a court capable of taking cognizance of the offence.