12.—(1) The master of a ship at anchor at a place in the State other than a harbour shall immediately notify the Minister of the fact and of the place at which it is at anchor.

(2) A person shall not transfer or cause to be transferred ship’s stores, F21[cargo, oil or hazardous and noxious substances] to or from a ship in a place in the State (not being a harbour) other than in accordance with a permit granted by the Minister under subsection (3).

(3) The Minister may, upon an application being made by the owner, charterer, hirer or master of a ship, grant a permit to the applicant allowing the transfer to or from the ship concerned of ship’s stores, F21[cargo, oil or hazardous and noxious substances] outside a harbour.

(4) An application for a permit under subsection (3) shall comply with such requirements (if any) as the Minister may prescribe.

(5) A permit under subsection (3) shall be in such form as the Minister may prescribe.

(6) The Minister may attach such conditions as the or she considers appropriate to a permit under subsection (3).

(7) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) or a condition attached to a permit under subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence.