15.  (1) The passage of a foreign vessel is not innocent and shall be considered as an offence if the vessel, while in the Territorial Sea, engages in-

(a) any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of Bangladesh or any other act which violates the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;

(b) any exercise or practice with weapons of any kind, any act aimed at collecting information, which would be prejudicial to the defence or security of Bangladesh, any act of propaganda circulated to affect the defence or security of Bangladesh, launching of, landing on any aircraft from ship launching of, landing on board of any military device;

(c) loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to the customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws of Bangladesh;

(d) any act of wilful pollution in contravention of the Convention and the Bangladesh Environment Conservation, Act 1995 (Act No.1 of 1995);

(e) any fishing activities or carrying out of research or surveying activities;

(f) any act designed to interfere with any system of communication or any other facility or installation in Bangladesh or any other activity not directly related to its passage which is prejudicial to the peace, good order and security of Bangladesh.

(2) Any person who commits an offence specified in sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5 (five) years or with fine of minimum taka 10 (ten) crore which may extend to taka 40 (forty) crore or with both.

(3) Where the offence is continued after conviction, the master and the other persons who were convicted, each commits a further offence and shall be liable on conviction to a double punishment and in addition the Maritime Tribunal may order the forfeiture of the vessel or submarine.