Temporary exclusion zones for navigation
11.—(1) Subject to paragraph (5) any person who, without reasonable excuse during the construction, replacement, removal or decommissioning of any of the authorised works navigates a vessel within an area extending 500 metres from any part of those works shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(2) An exclusion zone shall not come into effect until—
(a)7 days after the publication of a notice to mariners specifying the location and extent of the exclusion zone, the date of its commencement and its intended duration; and
(b)LWFL has taken such other steps as the Secretary of State may require to notify shipping of the proposed exclusion zone.
(3) The exclusion zone shall terminate on completion of the construction, replacement, removal or decommissioning (as the case may be) of the authorised works.
(4) As soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of an exclusion zone LWFL shall—
(a)publish notice of the termination by means of a notice to mariners; and
(b)take such other steps as the Secretary of State may require to notify shipping of the termination of the exclusion zone.
(5) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person navigating a vessel for the purpose of, or in connection with, the construction, maintenance or operation of the authorised works.
(6) In this article—
“exclusion zone” means an area in which navigation is excluded under paragraph (1);
“notice to mariners” includes any notice to mariners which may be issued to mariners by the Admiralty, Trinity House, Queen’s harbourmasters, government departments and harbour and pilotage authorities; and
“vessel” means a ship, boat, raft or water craft of any description and includes non-displacement craft, seaplanes and any other thing constructed or adapted for floating on or being submersed in water (whether permanently or temporarily) and a hovercraft or other amphibious vehicle.