Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 288

288. (1) The master, or the owner, o r the bareboat charterer of any vessel, whether Maltese or foreign, may refuse to take on b oard any package or parcel which he su spects to contain any dangerou s goods, and may require it to be o pened to ascertain the fact. (2) Where any dangerous goods, or any goods which in the judgement of the master, or the owner, or the bareboat chartere r of the vessel are dangerous goods, have been sent or brought aboard an y vessel as aforesaid without being marked, or without such notic e having been given, as provided in article 286, the master, or t he owner, or the bareboat charterer of the vessel may cause those goods to be thrown overboard, together with any package or receptacle in which they are contained, and nei ther the master, nor the owner nor the bareboat charterer of the vessel shall be subject to any li ability, civil or criminal, in any court for so throwing the goods overb oard. Forfeiture of dangerous goods improperly sent or carried. Amended by: XXIV .1995.362.