Exemptions from harbour dues
17.—(1) Except insofar as may be agreed between the Council and the government department or person concerned the Council shall not be entitled to demand harbour dues from, or in respect of—
(a)a vessel—
(i)in the service of HM Revenue and Customs in the execution of their core duties and not carrying persons or goods for reward;
(ii)belonging to or used by a lifeboat service whilst employed in or in connection with the core functions of that service;
(iii)in the service of a police force or other emergency service in the execution of their core duties and not carrying persons or goods for reward;
(b)HM Revenue and Customs or any officer or other person employed in their service in execution of their core duties in respect of a vessel or goods under customs seizure, or in respect of goods or other articles belonging to, or in the care or service of, HM Revenue and Customs;
(c)an officer of HM Revenue and Customs or any other person employed in their service while in the execution of their core duties;
(d)a person employed by the Secretary of State for Defence while in the execution of core duties;
(e)Officers of the Department for Transport in the execution of their core duties shall at all times be exempt from dues.
(2) In this article “dues” means ship, passenger and goods dues which the Council may demand under section 26 of the Act of 1964.