Section 12: Powers of National Coast Guard

12. Powers of National Coast Guard (1) The National Coast Guard shall have authority to— (a) prevent the entry by sea of any person or group of persons who threaten to undermine the security or to violate the territorial integrity of the State of Mauritius; (b) prevent any activity which is likely to constitute a threat to the maritime zones, including the seabed, the flora, the reefs, the beach and the coastline; (c) undertake search and rescue operations in all situations of distress in the maritime zones; (d) undertake or participate in any salvage operations; (e) design, maintain, operate and repair vessels, aircraft and marine equipment under the responsibility of the National Coast Guard; (f) monitor and control all seaborne activities within the maritime zones; (g) prevent any form of maritime pollution or any activity likely to cause maritime pollution; (h) stop, arrest, search, detain or seize any vessel or aircraft upon reasonable suspicion that it is engaged or about to be engaged in any illegal activity, including any act of piracy or maritime attack referred to in the Piracy and Maritime Violence Act; (i) stop, arrest and search any person upon reasonable suspicion that he is engaged in or about to be engaged in any illegal activity, including any act of piracy or maritime attack referred to in the Piracy and Maritime Violence Act; (j) prevent the smuggling by or at sea of any dangerous drugs or other contraband goods or articles; (k) prevent the escape by sea of any criminal or fugitive from justice; (l) conduct such investigation, study or experiment as may be conducive to its efficiency; (m) record such statements and make such inquiries, inspections and examinations as may be necessary; (n) maintain such water, land and air patrols as may be necessary; . (o) take charge of and protect any jetsam, flotsam or other property emanating from any aircraft or vessel; [Issue 4] N11 – 4 (p) lay such buoyage or other navigation aids as it may consider necessary to serve the needs of safe maritime navigation; (q) take such steps as it may consider necessary to prevent any collision or other accident or disaster at sea; and (r) co-operate or maintain contact with such department or authority or other agency as it may consider necessary in or for the execution of its duties and any related matter. (2) The powers specified in subsection (1) shall be— (a) in addition to and not in derogation from the powers of the National Coast Guard under section 6 (1); and (b) limited to any matter or activity within the maritime zones. (3) The National Coast Guard shall have the use of such arms and ammunition for the performance of its functions as the Minister may determine. [S. 12 amended by s. 11 (6) (b) of Act 39 of 2011 w.e.f. 1 June 2012.]