In any proceedings taken by virtue of this Act against the owner or charterer of a ship or against the occupier of a factory in respect of any act or omission on the part of another person, it shall be a good defence for the owner, charterer or occupier, as the case may be, to prove that the act or omission took place without his knowledge or connivance and was not facilitated by any negligence on his part.

Proceedings in respect of offences under this Act may be taken in manner provided by the Summary Jurisdiction Acts :

Provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in those Acts, proceedings taken by virtue of this Act against any person for an offence committed at sea, may be commenced at any time within six months from the date on which that person first lands in the United Kingdom after the commission of the offence.

In any proceedings a document purporting to be a licence or permit granted under this Act shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to be such a licence or permit, as the case may be.

Proceedings against any person for the purposes of this Act may be taken before the court having jurisdiction in the place where that person is for the time being.