# Detention of vessel for purpose of search

> act-s259 — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

259 Detention of vessel for purpose of search
          (1) The Secretary or Australian Border Force Commissioner may, by
              notice in writing to the master of a vessel which has arrived in
              Australia not more than one month before the date of the notice,
              order that the vessel remain at a port or place for a reasonable time
              specified in the notice for the purpose of enabling a search of the
              vessel to be made in order to ascertain whether there are on the
              vessel any unlawful non-citizens or any persons seeking to enter
              Australia in circumstances in which they would become unlawful
              non-citizens.
          (2) The master of a vessel in respect of which an order is in force
              under this section shall not, during the time specified in the order,
              move the vessel without the consent of the Secretary or Australian
              Border Force Commissioner.








               Penalty: 200 penalty units.
          (3) An offence against subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.
               Note:      For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.