HOVERING, in law : ships of fifty tons, laden with customable or prohibited goods, hovering on the coasts of this kingdom, within the limits of any port (and not proceeding from foreign parts) may be entered by officers of the cus toms, who are to take an account of the lading, and to demand and take a securi ty from the master, by his bond to his ma jesty, in such sums of money as shall be treble the value of such foreign goods then on board, that such ship shall pro ceed, as soon as wind and weather, and the condition of the ship, will permit, on her voyage to foreign parts, and shall land the goods in some foreign port ; the master refusing to enter into such bond or demand, or who, having given bond, shall not proceed on such voyage (unless otherwise suffered to make a longer stay, by the collector or other principal officer of such port where the vessel shall be, not exceeding twenty days ;) in either of the said cases, all the foreign goods on board may be taken out by the custom house officers, by direction of the collec tor, and properly secured ; and if they are customable, the duties shall be paid, and if prohibited, they shall be forfeited.
The officers of the customs may prose cute the same, as also the ship, if liable to condemnation, 3 Geo. III. c. 21. Com manders of men of war, and custom-house facers, may compel ships of fifty tons, or under, hovering within two leagues of shore, to come into port. 6 Geo. I. c. 21. If any ship or vessel shalt be found at an chor, or hovering within eight leagues of the coast, (except between the North Foreland and Beachy Head) unless by distress of weather, having on board fo reign spirits, in any vessel or cask which shall not contain sixty gallons at least, or any wine in casks (provided such vessel have wine on board) shall not exceed six ty tons burthen, or six pounds weight of tea, or twenty pounds weight of coffee, or any goods whatever liable to forfeiture upon importation, that such goods, with the ship and furniture, shall be forfeited ; spirits for the use of seamen, not exceed ing two gallons per man, excepted. 42 Geo. III. c. 82.