16. — (1) If the Minister is satisfied that—

(a) the report of an authorised person furnished to the Minister for the purpose of the grant of a licence was in any material particular made erroneously,

(b) information furnished to the Minister in relation to the grant of a licence was false or misleading in a material particular, or

(c) since the furnishing of such a report as aforesaid to the Minister, the hull, equipment or machinery of the vessel concerned has suffered any damage or the vessel has become unsuitable for the carriage of passengers or for the carriage of the maximum number of passengers specified in the licence or for plying to the limits so specified,

he may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke the licence.

(2) The Minister may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke or suspend a licence if there is a failure or refusal to comply with a condition, restriction or requirement specified in the licence.

F21[(2A) Where the Minister revokes or suspends a licence in respect of a particular vessel under subsection (2), and is of opinion that it is in the interests of safety that the holder of the licence should not be the holder of a licence or certificate in relation to other vessels, then the Minister may revoke or suspend any other licence or certificate held by the holder in relation to any other vessel.]

(3) If a licence is suspended, the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, refuse to remove the suspension unless an authorised person has inspected the vessel concerned since the suspension and has stated in a report of the inspection to the Minister in writing that, in his opinion—

(a) the vessel is suitable, subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as he may specify, for use for hiring or for the carriage of passengers, and

(b) if regulations under section 18 are in force, it complies with the regulations.