The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Section
Section 1 Short title and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
(2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act.
(2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act.
1. 15th day of March, 2026, vide notifn. No. S.O. 1244(E), dated 10th day of March, 2026, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3 (ii).
Section 2 Application of Act.
(1) Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act shall apply to, ---
(a) any vessel which is registered in India; or
(b) any vessel which is required by this Act to be so registered, wherever it may be.
(2) Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act which apply to vessels other than those referred to in sub-section (1) shall so apply only while any such vessel is within India or its coastal waters.
(3) Subject to sub-section (2) and unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Act shall not apply to Indian controlled tonnage vessels.
Explanation.---For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "Indian controlled tonnage vessel" means an Indian vessel, other than a fishing vessel or sailing vessel, owned by any person specified under sub-section (1) of section 15 and registered at a port or place in a country other than India.
(a) any vessel which is registered in India; or
(b) any vessel which is required by this Act to be so registered, wherever it may be.
(2) Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act which apply to vessels other than those referred to in sub-section (1) shall so apply only while any such vessel is within India or its coastal waters.
(3) Subject to sub-section (2) and unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Act shall not apply to Indian controlled tonnage vessels.
Explanation.---For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "Indian controlled tonnage vessel" means an Indian vessel, other than a fishing vessel or sailing vessel, owned by any person specified under sub-section (1) of section 15 and registered at a port or place in a country other than India.
Section 3 Definitions.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,---
(1) "abandoned seafarer" means a seafarer who is deemed to have been abandoned in violation of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or the seafarers' employment agreement, where the ship owner---
(a) fails to cover the cost of the seafarer's repatriation; or
(b) has left the seafarer without the necessary maintenance and support; or
(c) has otherwise unilaterally severed ties with the seafarer including failure to pay contractual wages for a period of at least two months;
(2) "abandoned vessel" includes any of the following, namely:---
(a) a vessel which is abandoned by the ship owner without any hope of recovering it or without any intention of returning to it; or
(b) a vessel whose master has no financial means for its operation; or
(c) a vessel whose owner is unknown or cannot be traced within reasonable time, despite the Central Government duly notifying the flag State of the vessel or consulate of the country of domicile of the registered owner or the master; or
(d) a vessel whose owner fails to fulfil the ship owner's obligations under this Act towards ensuring safety, security, prevention of pollution or welfare of seafarers and whose insurer, salvor or contractor fail to fulfil such obligations within such reasonable time as may be specified by the Central Government; or
(e) a vessel restrained by any court or public authority in India in respect of which the public authority or the person assigned responsibility by the court to fulfil the ship owner's obligations under this Act towards ensuring safety, security, prevention of pollution or welfare of seafarers, fails to do so.
Explanation.---For the purposes of sub-clause (d), failure on part of the ship owner shall also include failure on part of the charterer, manager or operator of the vessel;
(3) "agent", in relation to a vessel, means a person authorised to act as such by the owner and if such vessel is in port, the agent shall also have authorisation from the port;
(4) "Anti-Fouling Systems Convention" means the International Convention on Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001, signed in London on 5th day of October, 2001;
(5) "audit" means a systematic and independent examination to determine whether the management system as provided in the Safety Convention complies with the planned arrangements and such arrangements are implemented effectively and are sufficient to achieve the objectives of the said convention;
(6) "Ballast Water Management Convention" means the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships'Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, signed in London on the 13th day of February, 2004;
(7) "baseline" means the baseline referred to in sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976);
(8) "certificate of competency" or "certificate of proficiency" means the certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency granted under sub-section (1) of section 46;
(9) "chief ship surveyor" means the chief ship surveyor specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(10) "chief surveyor" means the chief surveyor specified in sub-clause (ii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(11) "Civil Liability Convention" means the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992;
(12) "coastal waters" means any part of territorial waters of India, along with any part of the adjoining maritime zones of India within the meaning of the Terriorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976), or any other law for time being in force;
(13) "coasts" include the coasts of creeks and any part of the sea or any part of a river within the ebb and flow of the tide at ordinary spring tides and not being a harbour (tidal waters);
(14) "company" means a company as defined in clause (20) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);
(15) "convention" means an international convention to which India is a party;
(16) "Director-General" means the Director-General of Maritime Administration appointed under sub-section (1) of section 7;
(17) "equipment", in relation to a vessel, includes boats, tackle, machinery, boilers, cargo handling gear, pumps and any fitting, anchor, propeller, apparels, furniture, life-saving appliances of every description, spars, masts, rigging and sails, fog signals, lights, shapes and signals of distress, medicines and medical and surgical stores and appliances, charts, radio installations, appliances for preventing, detecting or extinguishing fires, buckets, compasses, axes, lanterns, loading and discharging gears and appliances of all kinds and all other stores and spares or articles belonging to or to be used in connection with or necessary for the navigation, propulsion, security, pollution prevention and safety of the vessel;
(18) "fisher" means any person engaged in any capacity or performing any work aboard a fishing vessel at sea, by whatever means they are paid, but not including pilots or persons in service of the Central Government or the State Government aboard a fishing vessel, or any person who only works aboard such vessel when onshore;
(19) "fishing vessel" means a vessel which is used or intended to be used for the purpose of fishing in the seas;
(20) "gross tonnage" means the gross tonnage referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (5) of section 20;
(21) "High Court", in relation to a vessel, means a High Court within the limits of whose jurisdiction,---
(a) the port of registry of the vessel is situate; or
(b) the vessel is for the time being; or
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises;
(22) "Indian ambassador" means the ambassador, high commissioner, deputy ambassador, deputy high commissioner, consul-general, consul, vice-consul, consular agent or pro consul appointed as such by the Central Government and includes any person authorised by the Central Government to perform the functions of an Indian ambassador;
(23) "Indian Coast Guard" means the Coast Guard constituted under the Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978);
(24) "Indian vessel" means a vessel which is registered under section 15;
(25) "Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims Convention" means the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims signed in London on the 19th day of November, 1976;
(26) "Maritime Labour Convention" means the Maritime Labour Convention signed in Geneva on the 23rd day of February, 2006;
(27) "MARPOL Convention" means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 including its Protocol of 1978;
(28) "master" includes any person (except a pilot or a harbour master) having command or charge of a vessel;
(29) "mortgage" means the transfer of an interest in a registered vessel or a share therein for the purpose of securing the payment of money advanced or to be advanced by way of loan, or other valuable consideration, and the instrument creating the security, an existing or future debt, or the performance of an agreement which may give rise to a pecuniary liability;
(30) "nautical advisor" means the nautical advisor specified in sub-clause (i) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(31) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the term "notify" or "notified" shall be construed accordingly;
(32) "owner", in relation to a vessel, means the person to whom the vessel or a share in the vessel belongs;
(33) "passenger" means any person carried onboard a vessel, except---
(a) a person employed or engaged in any capacity onboard the vessel on the business of the vessel;
(b) a person onboard the vessel either in pursuance of the obligations laid upon the master to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons or by reason of any circumstances which neither the master nor the charterer, if any, could have prevented or forestalled; and
(c) a child under one year of age;
(34) "passenger vessel" means a vessel carrying more than twelve passengers;
(35) "pollution damage" means,---
(a) loss or damage caused outside the vessel resulting from the escape, emission or discharge of cargo, oil or any other material from the vessel, wherever such escape, emission or discharge may occur; or
(b) the costs of impairment of environment or costs of preventive measures and further loss or damage caused by preventive measures;
(36) "pollution prevention convention" means any convention relating to prevention of pollution from vessels, to which India is a party, including MARPOL Convention, Anti-Fouling Systems Convention and Ballast Water Management Convention;
(37) "port" shall include port facility, shipyard, ship breaking yards, ship repair unit, offshore facilities and terminals;
(38) "port authority",---
(a) in relation to any major port, means the Board of Major Port Authority constituted under section 3 of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 (1 of 2021);
(b) in relation to any other port, means such person or body of persons responsible for the administration of ports under any other applicable law;
(c) in relation to any terminal or place not forming a part of a port, means the person under whose supervision the terminal or place is operated;
(39) "port facility" means any location or area including anchorages or awaiting berths or approaches from seaward as determined by the Central Government, or such designated authority as the Central Government may notify, where interface between vessels or a vessel and a port takes place;
(40) "port of registry" means the port or place notified as such under sub-section (3) of section 15 and in relation to a vessel, sailing vessel, fishing vessel or any other vessel, means the port at which such vessel is registered;
(41) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act;
(42) "principal officer" means the principal officer appointed under sub-section (2) of section 11;
(43) "proceeding" includes any suit, appeal or application under this Act;
(44) "proper officer" means the officer designated by the Central Government to be the proper officer at the port or place and in respect of the matters to which reference is made in this Act;
(45) "proper return port" means such port as is agreed upon by the seafarer and his employer, in the agreement or otherwise, or in the absence of an agreement, the port where the seafarer was employed or joined the vessel;
(46) "property", in relation to a seafarer, includes personal effects;
(47) "reception facilities", in relation to a port, terminal, shipyard, ship repair facility or ship recycling facility, means facilities for enabling vessels using the port terminal, shipyard, ship repair facility or ship recycling facility to discharge or deposit any substance;
(48) "Registrar" means the Registrar of Indian vessel referred to in section 18;
(49) "registered owner" means the person or persons registered as the owner of the vessel;
(50) "Safety Convention" means the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, signed in London on the 1st day of November, 1974 and shall include its protocols;
(51) "sailing vessel" means any primitive or traditionally built wooden vessel not primarily propelled, provided with sufficient sail area for navigation under sails alone, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, but does not include a pleasure craft;
(52) "salvage" means any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel or any other property in danger in navigable waters or in any other waters whatsoever;
(53) "Salvage Convention" means the International Convention on Salvage, 1989, signed in London on the 28th day of April, 1989;
(54) "salvor" means any person rendering services in direct connection with salvage operation;
(55) "sea-going", in relation to a vessel, means a vessel proceeding or intending to proceed beyond such waters as the Central Government or the State Government may, by notification, declare to be inland waters;
(56) "seafarer" means any person who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity onboard a sea-going vessel, but does not include,---
(i) a person who is in the employment or engagement or work onboard in any capacity in a warship or any Government vessel used for military or non-commercial purposes; or
(ii) any other person as the Central Government may, by notification, specify;
(57) "seafarer's welfare officer" means the seafarer's welfare officer appointed under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(58) "security", in relation to maritime security, includes any measures to protect port facility or vessels or any person or thing relating directly or indirectly to maritime navigation,---
(i) against terrorism, sabotage, stowaways, illegal migrants, asylum seekers, piracy, armed robbery, seizure or pilferage; and
(ii) against any other hostile act or influence which threatens the security in the maritime transport sector,
employed by the owners or operators or persons in charge of the vessels or management of port facilities, offshore installations and other marine organisations or establishments, or undertaken by the Central Government;
(59) "ship" means any watercraft, used or capable of being used in navigation in, above, or under the water; but does not include fishing vessel or sailing vessels;
(60) "ship owner" means the owner, including the registered owner and bareboat charterer, of the vessel;
(61) "shipping master" means the shipping master appointed under section 12;
(62) "shipping office" means the shipping office established under section 12;
(63) "special trade passenger" means a passenger carried in special trade passenger vessel in spaces on the weather deck or upper deck or between decks which accommodate more than eight passengers;
(64) "State" means any country including India;
(65) "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention" means International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, signed in London on the 7th day of July, 1978;
(66) "surveyor" means a person appointed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8, or section 9;
(67) "tindal" means the person in command or charge of a sailing vessel;
(68) "Tribunal" means the Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1) of section 89;
(69) "unseaworthy vessel" means vessel, the materials of which she is made, her construction and design, the number, description and qualification of the seafarers including officers, the weight, description and stowage of the cargo and ballast, the condition of her hull and equipment, boilers and machinery are not such as to render her in every respect fit for the proposed voyage or service;
(70) "vessel" includes every description of water craft used or capable of being used in the marine environment, such as ship, boat, sailing vessel, fishing vessel, submersible, semi-submersible, hydrofoils, non-displacement crafts, amphibious crafts, wing-in-ground crafts, pleasure crafts, barges, lighters, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, Mobile Offshore Units, or of any other description, whether fitted with mechanical means of propulsion or not;
(71) "voyage" means the passage between the vessel's port or place of departure and her final port or place of arrival, including the activities within the port;
(72) "wages" include emoluments;
(73) "wreck" includes the following, upon a maritime casualty, namely:---
(a) a sunken or stranded vessel; or
(b) any part of a sunken or stranded vessel, including any object or goods or cargo that is or has been onboard such a vessel;
(c) any object or goods or cargo that is lost at sea from a vessel stranded, sunken or adrift at sea; or
(d) a vessel that is in distress or is about, or may reasonably be expected, to sink or to strand, where effective measures to assist the vessel or any property in danger are not already being taken to the satisfaction of the Director-General.
(1) "abandoned seafarer" means a seafarer who is deemed to have been abandoned in violation of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or the seafarers' employment agreement, where the ship owner---
(a) fails to cover the cost of the seafarer's repatriation; or
(b) has left the seafarer without the necessary maintenance and support; or
(c) has otherwise unilaterally severed ties with the seafarer including failure to pay contractual wages for a period of at least two months;
(2) "abandoned vessel" includes any of the following, namely:---
(a) a vessel which is abandoned by the ship owner without any hope of recovering it or without any intention of returning to it; or
(b) a vessel whose master has no financial means for its operation; or
(c) a vessel whose owner is unknown or cannot be traced within reasonable time, despite the Central Government duly notifying the flag State of the vessel or consulate of the country of domicile of the registered owner or the master; or
(d) a vessel whose owner fails to fulfil the ship owner's obligations under this Act towards ensuring safety, security, prevention of pollution or welfare of seafarers and whose insurer, salvor or contractor fail to fulfil such obligations within such reasonable time as may be specified by the Central Government; or
(e) a vessel restrained by any court or public authority in India in respect of which the public authority or the person assigned responsibility by the court to fulfil the ship owner's obligations under this Act towards ensuring safety, security, prevention of pollution or welfare of seafarers, fails to do so.
Explanation.---For the purposes of sub-clause (d), failure on part of the ship owner shall also include failure on part of the charterer, manager or operator of the vessel;
(3) "agent", in relation to a vessel, means a person authorised to act as such by the owner and if such vessel is in port, the agent shall also have authorisation from the port;
(4) "Anti-Fouling Systems Convention" means the International Convention on Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001, signed in London on 5th day of October, 2001;
(5) "audit" means a systematic and independent examination to determine whether the management system as provided in the Safety Convention complies with the planned arrangements and such arrangements are implemented effectively and are sufficient to achieve the objectives of the said convention;
(6) "Ballast Water Management Convention" means the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships'Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, signed in London on the 13th day of February, 2004;
(7) "baseline" means the baseline referred to in sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976);
(8) "certificate of competency" or "certificate of proficiency" means the certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency granted under sub-section (1) of section 46;
(9) "chief ship surveyor" means the chief ship surveyor specified in sub-clause (iii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(10) "chief surveyor" means the chief surveyor specified in sub-clause (ii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(11) "Civil Liability Convention" means the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992;
(12) "coastal waters" means any part of territorial waters of India, along with any part of the adjoining maritime zones of India within the meaning of the Terriorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976), or any other law for time being in force;
(13) "coasts" include the coasts of creeks and any part of the sea or any part of a river within the ebb and flow of the tide at ordinary spring tides and not being a harbour (tidal waters);
(14) "company" means a company as defined in clause (20) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);
(15) "convention" means an international convention to which India is a party;
(16) "Director-General" means the Director-General of Maritime Administration appointed under sub-section (1) of section 7;
(17) "equipment", in relation to a vessel, includes boats, tackle, machinery, boilers, cargo handling gear, pumps and any fitting, anchor, propeller, apparels, furniture, life-saving appliances of every description, spars, masts, rigging and sails, fog signals, lights, shapes and signals of distress, medicines and medical and surgical stores and appliances, charts, radio installations, appliances for preventing, detecting or extinguishing fires, buckets, compasses, axes, lanterns, loading and discharging gears and appliances of all kinds and all other stores and spares or articles belonging to or to be used in connection with or necessary for the navigation, propulsion, security, pollution prevention and safety of the vessel;
(18) "fisher" means any person engaged in any capacity or performing any work aboard a fishing vessel at sea, by whatever means they are paid, but not including pilots or persons in service of the Central Government or the State Government aboard a fishing vessel, or any person who only works aboard such vessel when onshore;
(19) "fishing vessel" means a vessel which is used or intended to be used for the purpose of fishing in the seas;
(20) "gross tonnage" means the gross tonnage referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (5) of section 20;
(21) "High Court", in relation to a vessel, means a High Court within the limits of whose jurisdiction,---
(a) the port of registry of the vessel is situate; or
(b) the vessel is for the time being; or
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises;
(22) "Indian ambassador" means the ambassador, high commissioner, deputy ambassador, deputy high commissioner, consul-general, consul, vice-consul, consular agent or pro consul appointed as such by the Central Government and includes any person authorised by the Central Government to perform the functions of an Indian ambassador;
(23) "Indian Coast Guard" means the Coast Guard constituted under the Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978);
(24) "Indian vessel" means a vessel which is registered under section 15;
(25) "Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims Convention" means the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims signed in London on the 19th day of November, 1976;
(26) "Maritime Labour Convention" means the Maritime Labour Convention signed in Geneva on the 23rd day of February, 2006;
(27) "MARPOL Convention" means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 including its Protocol of 1978;
(28) "master" includes any person (except a pilot or a harbour master) having command or charge of a vessel;
(29) "mortgage" means the transfer of an interest in a registered vessel or a share therein for the purpose of securing the payment of money advanced or to be advanced by way of loan, or other valuable consideration, and the instrument creating the security, an existing or future debt, or the performance of an agreement which may give rise to a pecuniary liability;
(30) "nautical advisor" means the nautical advisor specified in sub-clause (i) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8;
(31) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the term "notify" or "notified" shall be construed accordingly;
(32) "owner", in relation to a vessel, means the person to whom the vessel or a share in the vessel belongs;
(33) "passenger" means any person carried onboard a vessel, except---
(a) a person employed or engaged in any capacity onboard the vessel on the business of the vessel;
(b) a person onboard the vessel either in pursuance of the obligations laid upon the master to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons or by reason of any circumstances which neither the master nor the charterer, if any, could have prevented or forestalled; and
(c) a child under one year of age;
(34) "passenger vessel" means a vessel carrying more than twelve passengers;
(35) "pollution damage" means,---
(a) loss or damage caused outside the vessel resulting from the escape, emission or discharge of cargo, oil or any other material from the vessel, wherever such escape, emission or discharge may occur; or
(b) the costs of impairment of environment or costs of preventive measures and further loss or damage caused by preventive measures;
(36) "pollution prevention convention" means any convention relating to prevention of pollution from vessels, to which India is a party, including MARPOL Convention, Anti-Fouling Systems Convention and Ballast Water Management Convention;
(37) "port" shall include port facility, shipyard, ship breaking yards, ship repair unit, offshore facilities and terminals;
(38) "port authority",---
(a) in relation to any major port, means the Board of Major Port Authority constituted under section 3 of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 (1 of 2021);
(b) in relation to any other port, means such person or body of persons responsible for the administration of ports under any other applicable law;
(c) in relation to any terminal or place not forming a part of a port, means the person under whose supervision the terminal or place is operated;
(39) "port facility" means any location or area including anchorages or awaiting berths or approaches from seaward as determined by the Central Government, or such designated authority as the Central Government may notify, where interface between vessels or a vessel and a port takes place;
(40) "port of registry" means the port or place notified as such under sub-section (3) of section 15 and in relation to a vessel, sailing vessel, fishing vessel or any other vessel, means the port at which such vessel is registered;
(41) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act;
(42) "principal officer" means the principal officer appointed under sub-section (2) of section 11;
(43) "proceeding" includes any suit, appeal or application under this Act;
(44) "proper officer" means the officer designated by the Central Government to be the proper officer at the port or place and in respect of the matters to which reference is made in this Act;
(45) "proper return port" means such port as is agreed upon by the seafarer and his employer, in the agreement or otherwise, or in the absence of an agreement, the port where the seafarer was employed or joined the vessel;
(46) "property", in relation to a seafarer, includes personal effects;
(47) "reception facilities", in relation to a port, terminal, shipyard, ship repair facility or ship recycling facility, means facilities for enabling vessels using the port terminal, shipyard, ship repair facility or ship recycling facility to discharge or deposit any substance;
(48) "Registrar" means the Registrar of Indian vessel referred to in section 18;
(49) "registered owner" means the person or persons registered as the owner of the vessel;
(50) "Safety Convention" means the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, signed in London on the 1st day of November, 1974 and shall include its protocols;
(51) "sailing vessel" means any primitive or traditionally built wooden vessel not primarily propelled, provided with sufficient sail area for navigation under sails alone, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, but does not include a pleasure craft;
(52) "salvage" means any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel or any other property in danger in navigable waters or in any other waters whatsoever;
(53) "Salvage Convention" means the International Convention on Salvage, 1989, signed in London on the 28th day of April, 1989;
(54) "salvor" means any person rendering services in direct connection with salvage operation;
(55) "sea-going", in relation to a vessel, means a vessel proceeding or intending to proceed beyond such waters as the Central Government or the State Government may, by notification, declare to be inland waters;
(56) "seafarer" means any person who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity onboard a sea-going vessel, but does not include,---
(i) a person who is in the employment or engagement or work onboard in any capacity in a warship or any Government vessel used for military or non-commercial purposes; or
(ii) any other person as the Central Government may, by notification, specify;
(57) "seafarer's welfare officer" means the seafarer's welfare officer appointed under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(58) "security", in relation to maritime security, includes any measures to protect port facility or vessels or any person or thing relating directly or indirectly to maritime navigation,---
(i) against terrorism, sabotage, stowaways, illegal migrants, asylum seekers, piracy, armed robbery, seizure or pilferage; and
(ii) against any other hostile act or influence which threatens the security in the maritime transport sector,
employed by the owners or operators or persons in charge of the vessels or management of port facilities, offshore installations and other marine organisations or establishments, or undertaken by the Central Government;
(59) "ship" means any watercraft, used or capable of being used in navigation in, above, or under the water; but does not include fishing vessel or sailing vessels;
(60) "ship owner" means the owner, including the registered owner and bareboat charterer, of the vessel;
(61) "shipping master" means the shipping master appointed under section 12;
(62) "shipping office" means the shipping office established under section 12;
(63) "special trade passenger" means a passenger carried in special trade passenger vessel in spaces on the weather deck or upper deck or between decks which accommodate more than eight passengers;
(64) "State" means any country including India;
(65) "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention" means International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, signed in London on the 7th day of July, 1978;
(66) "surveyor" means a person appointed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8, or section 9;
(67) "tindal" means the person in command or charge of a sailing vessel;
(68) "Tribunal" means the Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1) of section 89;
(69) "unseaworthy vessel" means vessel, the materials of which she is made, her construction and design, the number, description and qualification of the seafarers including officers, the weight, description and stowage of the cargo and ballast, the condition of her hull and equipment, boilers and machinery are not such as to render her in every respect fit for the proposed voyage or service;
(70) "vessel" includes every description of water craft used or capable of being used in the marine environment, such as ship, boat, sailing vessel, fishing vessel, submersible, semi-submersible, hydrofoils, non-displacement crafts, amphibious crafts, wing-in-ground crafts, pleasure crafts, barges, lighters, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, Mobile Offshore Units, or of any other description, whether fitted with mechanical means of propulsion or not;
(71) "voyage" means the passage between the vessel's port or place of departure and her final port or place of arrival, including the activities within the port;
(72) "wages" include emoluments;
(73) "wreck" includes the following, upon a maritime casualty, namely:---
(a) a sunken or stranded vessel; or
(b) any part of a sunken or stranded vessel, including any object or goods or cargo that is or has been onboard such a vessel;
(c) any object or goods or cargo that is lost at sea from a vessel stranded, sunken or adrift at sea; or
(d) a vessel that is in distress or is about, or may reasonably be expected, to sink or to strand, where effective measures to assist the vessel or any property in danger are not already being taken to the satisfaction of the Director-General.
Section 4 Establishment of National Shipping Board.
(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf, there shall be established a Board to be called the National Shipping Board (hereinafter referred to as the Shipping Board) for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Shipping Board shall consist of the following members, namely:---
(a) six members of Parliament of whom four shall be elected from amongst themselves by members of the House of the People and two from amongst themselves by the members of the Council of States;
(b) such number of other members, not exceeding sixteen, out of which at least four shall be women, as the Central Government may think fit to appoint to the Shipping Board, to represent---
(i) the Central Government;
(ii) ship owners;
(iii) seafarers; and
(iv) such other interests as in the opinion of the Central Government, ought to be represented on the Shipping Board:
Provided that the Shipping Board shall include an equal number of persons representing the ship owners and seafarers.
(3) The term of a member elected under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall come to an end as soon as he ceases to be a member of the House from which he was elected.
(4) The Central Government shall nominate one of the members of the Shipping Board to be its Chairperson.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Member of Parliament referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) or nominated as Chairperson under sub-section (4), shall not be deemed to be holding the office of profit for the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (1) article 102 of the Constitution.
(6) The Shipping Board shall advise the Central Government,---
(a) on matters relating to Indian shipping including the development thereof; and
(b) on such other matters arising out of this Act as the Central Government may refer to it for advice.
(7) The Shipping Board shall have power to regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.
(8) The term of office, manner of filling casual vacancies and travelling and other allowances payable to, members of the Shipping Board and the service conditions of the Chairperson, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(9) The Shipping Board shall be assisted by such officers and other employees and the manner of their appointment and the terms and conditions of their service shall be such as may be prescribed.
(2) The Shipping Board shall consist of the following members, namely:---
(a) six members of Parliament of whom four shall be elected from amongst themselves by members of the House of the People and two from amongst themselves by the members of the Council of States;
(b) such number of other members, not exceeding sixteen, out of which at least four shall be women, as the Central Government may think fit to appoint to the Shipping Board, to represent---
(i) the Central Government;
(ii) ship owners;
(iii) seafarers; and
(iv) such other interests as in the opinion of the Central Government, ought to be represented on the Shipping Board:
Provided that the Shipping Board shall include an equal number of persons representing the ship owners and seafarers.
(3) The term of a member elected under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall come to an end as soon as he ceases to be a member of the House from which he was elected.
(4) The Central Government shall nominate one of the members of the Shipping Board to be its Chairperson.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Member of Parliament referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) or nominated as Chairperson under sub-section (4), shall not be deemed to be holding the office of profit for the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (1) article 102 of the Constitution.
(6) The Shipping Board shall advise the Central Government,---
(a) on matters relating to Indian shipping including the development thereof; and
(b) on such other matters arising out of this Act as the Central Government may refer to it for advice.
(7) The Shipping Board shall have power to regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.
(8) The term of office, manner of filling casual vacancies and travelling and other allowances payable to, members of the Shipping Board and the service conditions of the Chairperson, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(9) The Shipping Board shall be assisted by such officers and other employees and the manner of their appointment and the terms and conditions of their service shall be such as may be prescribed.
Section 5 Constitution of Seafarer’s Welfare Board.
(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification specify in this behalf, there shall be constituted an advisory board to be called as Seafarer’s Welfare Board (hereinafter referred to as the Welfare Board) for the purposes of advising the Central Government on the measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seafarers under this Act, generally and in particular on the following matters, namely:---
(a) the establishment of hostels or boarding and lodging houses for seafarers;
(b) the establishment of clubs, canteens, libraries and other like amenities for the benefit of seafarers;
(c) the establishment of hospital and provision of medical treatment for seafarers;
(d) the provision of educational and other facilities for seafarers;
(e) the measures to be taken for welfare of distressed or abandoned seafarers;
(f) the measures to be taken in the case of seafarer who is a foreigner but abandoned in the waters within the jurisdiction of India.
(2) The composition of the Welfare Board, the term of office of members thereof, the procedure to be followed in the conduct of its business, the travelling and other allowances payable to, members of the Welfare Board, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The fee payable by the owners of vessels for the purposes of providing amenities to seafarers, the procedure by which any such fee may be collected or recovered and the manner in which the proceeds of such fees, after deduction of the cost of collection, shall be utilised, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(4) The port based welfare facility and any other measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seafarers shall be such as may be prescribed.
(a) the establishment of hostels or boarding and lodging houses for seafarers;
(b) the establishment of clubs, canteens, libraries and other like amenities for the benefit of seafarers;
(c) the establishment of hospital and provision of medical treatment for seafarers;
(d) the provision of educational and other facilities for seafarers;
(e) the measures to be taken for welfare of distressed or abandoned seafarers;
(f) the measures to be taken in the case of seafarer who is a foreigner but abandoned in the waters within the jurisdiction of India.
(2) The composition of the Welfare Board, the term of office of members thereof, the procedure to be followed in the conduct of its business, the travelling and other allowances payable to, members of the Welfare Board, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The fee payable by the owners of vessels for the purposes of providing amenities to seafarers, the procedure by which any such fee may be collected or recovered and the manner in which the proceeds of such fees, after deduction of the cost of collection, shall be utilised, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(4) The port based welfare facility and any other measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seafarers shall be such as may be prescribed.
Section 6 Power to make rules.
(1) The Central Government may make rules to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the term of office, manner of filling vacancies and the travelling and other allowances payable to the members of the Shipping Board and the service conditions of the Chairperson under sub-section (8) of section 4;
(b) the manner of appointment of officers and other employees of the Shipping Board and the terms and conditions of their service under sub-section (9) of section 4;
(c) the composition of the Welfare Board, term of office of its members, procedure for conduct of business and the travelling and other allowances payable to such members under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(d) the fee payable by owners of vessels, procedure for collection of fees and the manner in which the proceeds of such fees shall be utilised under sub-section (3) of section 5; and
(e) the port based welfare facility and other measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seafarers under sub-section (4) of section 5.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the term of office, manner of filling vacancies and the travelling and other allowances payable to the members of the Shipping Board and the service conditions of the Chairperson under sub-section (8) of section 4;
(b) the manner of appointment of officers and other employees of the Shipping Board and the terms and conditions of their service under sub-section (9) of section 4;
(c) the composition of the Welfare Board, term of office of its members, procedure for conduct of business and the travelling and other allowances payable to such members under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(d) the fee payable by owners of vessels, procedure for collection of fees and the manner in which the proceeds of such fees shall be utilised under sub-section (3) of section 5; and
(e) the port based welfare facility and other measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seafarers under sub-section (4) of section 5.
Section 7 Director-General of Maritime Administration.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person to be the Director-General of Maritime Administration for the purposes of exercising or discharging the powers, authority or duties conferred or imposed upon him by or under this Act.
(2) The Central Government may, by general or special order, direct that any power, authority or jurisdiction exercisable by it under or in relation to any such provisions of this Act as may be specified in the order shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be so specified, be exercisable also by the Director-General or such other officer as may be specified in the order.
(3) The Director-General may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by general or special order, direct that any power or authority conferred upon or delegated to, and any duty imposed upon him by or under this Act may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as he may think fit to impose, be exercised or discharged also by such officer or other authority as he may specify in this behalf.
(4) Every officer specified in section 8 shall discharge their functions under the general superintendence and control of the Director-General.
(2) The Central Government may, by general or special order, direct that any power, authority or jurisdiction exercisable by it under or in relation to any such provisions of this Act as may be specified in the order shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be so specified, be exercisable also by the Director-General or such other officer as may be specified in the order.
(3) The Director-General may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by general or special order, direct that any power or authority conferred upon or delegated to, and any duty imposed upon him by or under this Act may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as he may think fit to impose, be exercised or discharged also by such officer or other authority as he may specify in this behalf.
(4) Every officer specified in section 8 shall discharge their functions under the general superintendence and control of the Director-General.
Section 8 Officers.
(1) There shall be the following officers to be appointed by the Central Government who shall discharge the duties and functions under this Act, namely:---
(a) Additional Director-General;
(b) Deputy Director-General;
(c) Assistant Director-General;
(d) Surveyors, which shall include the following, namely:---
(i) nautical advisor;
(ii) chief surveyor;
(iii) chief ship surveyor;
(iv) principal officer;
(v) deputy nautical advisor;
(vi) deputy chief surveyor;
(vii) deputy chief ship surveyor;
(viii) nautical surveyor;
(ix) engineer and ship surveyor;
(x) ship surveyor;
(xi) junior ship surveyor;
(e) shipping master which shall include deputy or assistant shipping master;
(f) director which shall include deputy director or assistant director;
(g) senior radio surveyor;
(h) radio inspector;
(i) seafarer's welfare officer;
(j) any other officer as may be notified by the Central Government.
(2) The salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers specified in sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
(a) Additional Director-General;
(b) Deputy Director-General;
(c) Assistant Director-General;
(d) Surveyors, which shall include the following, namely:---
(i) nautical advisor;
(ii) chief surveyor;
(iii) chief ship surveyor;
(iv) principal officer;
(v) deputy nautical advisor;
(vi) deputy chief surveyor;
(vii) deputy chief ship surveyor;
(viii) nautical surveyor;
(ix) engineer and ship surveyor;
(x) ship surveyor;
(xi) junior ship surveyor;
(e) shipping master which shall include deputy or assistant shipping master;
(f) director which shall include deputy director or assistant director;
(g) senior radio surveyor;
(h) radio inspector;
(i) seafarer's welfare officer;
(j) any other officer as may be notified by the Central Government.
(2) The salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers specified in sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
Section 9 Surveyors.
The Central Government may, by notification, appoint, as many persons as it may think fit to be surveyors for the purposes of this Act:
Provided that the Central Government may, by notification, authorise any person or body of persons, on such terms and conditions as may be specified therein, to be surveyor for the purposes of this Act.
Provided that the Central Government may, by notification, authorise any person or body of persons, on such terms and conditions as may be specified therein, to be surveyor for the purposes of this Act.
Section 10 Senior radio surveyors and radio inspectors.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint, as many senior radio surveyors and radio inspectors as it may consider necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder relating to radio communication.
(2) The powers and functions of the senior radio surveyors and radio inspectors shall be such as may be prescribed.
(2) The powers and functions of the senior radio surveyors and radio inspectors shall be such as may be prescribed.
Section 11 Mercantile Marine Department.
(1) The Central Government may establish and maintain at each of the ports of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Kandla and such other ports or places in India, as it may consider necessary, an office of the Mercantile Marine Department for the administration of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person to be the principal officer who shall be incharge of the office of the Mercantile Marine Departments at the ports of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Kandla and any other port or places notified by the Central Government.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification, specify the office of the Mercantile Marine Department at any other port or place which shall be in the charge of such officer as the Central Government may appoint in this behalf
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person to be the principal officer who shall be incharge of the office of the Mercantile Marine Departments at the ports of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Kandla and any other port or places notified by the Central Government.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification, specify the office of the Mercantile Marine Department at any other port or place which shall be in the charge of such officer as the Central Government may appoint in this behalf
Section 12 Shipping office.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, establish a shipping office at every port in India in which it thinks it necessary so to do, and shall as it may consider necessary, appoint thereto---
(a) a shipping master and as many deputy shipping masters and assistant shipping masters as may be required;
(b) a director and as many deputy directors and assistant directors as may be required; and
(c) seafarer's welfare officers.
(2) The Central Government may appoint seafarer's welfare officers at such ports in or outside India as it may consider necessary.
(3) The Central Government may direct that at any port at which no separate shipping office is established, the whole or any part of the business of the shipping office shall be conducted at such office as the Central Government may specify, and thereupon the same shall be conducted accordingly.
(a) a shipping master and as many deputy shipping masters and assistant shipping masters as may be required;
(b) a director and as many deputy directors and assistant directors as may be required; and
(c) seafarer's welfare officers.
(2) The Central Government may appoint seafarer's welfare officers at such ports in or outside India as it may consider necessary.
(3) The Central Government may direct that at any port at which no separate shipping office is established, the whole or any part of the business of the shipping office shall be conducted at such office as the Central Government may specify, and thereupon the same shall be conducted accordingly.
Section 13 Body for security of vessels and port facilities.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, constitute a body for the security of vessels and port facilities, with such name and to be headed by an officer with such designation, as may be specified therein.
(2) The administration of the body shall vest in the officer who shall head the body constituted under sub-section (1).
(3) The body constituted under sub-section (1) shall be responsible for carrying out the regulatory and oversight function in respect of such matters relating to security of vessels and port facilities as may be prescribed:
Provided that while framing rules under this sub-section, the Central Government shall take into consideration the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code under the Safety Convention.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3), the body constituted under sub-section (1) shall perform the following functions, namely:---
(a) provide regulatory framework for security of vessels and port facilities;
(b) ensure timely collection and exchange of security related information with regard to vessels and port facilities;
(c) coordinate with other agencies;
(d) any other functions as may be prescribed.
(2) The administration of the body shall vest in the officer who shall head the body constituted under sub-section (1).
(3) The body constituted under sub-section (1) shall be responsible for carrying out the regulatory and oversight function in respect of such matters relating to security of vessels and port facilities as may be prescribed:
Provided that while framing rules under this sub-section, the Central Government shall take into consideration the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code under the Safety Convention.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3), the body constituted under sub-section (1) shall perform the following functions, namely:---
(a) provide regulatory framework for security of vessels and port facilities;
(b) ensure timely collection and exchange of security related information with regard to vessels and port facilities;
(c) coordinate with other agencies;
(d) any other functions as may be prescribed.
Section 14 Application of this Part.
This Part shall apply to sea-going vessels.
Section 15 Indian vessel and its registration.
(1) No vessel shall be an Indian vessel unless such vessel is owned by any of the following persons and in such proportion of ownership as may be notified by the Central Government, namely:---
(a) a citizen of India including a Non-Resident Indian or an Overseas Citizen of India; or
(b) a company or a body established by or under any Central Act or State Act having its registered office or principal place of business in India; or
(c) such other person or body as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.
(2) No vessel which is wholly owned by an Overseas Citizen of India shall be required to be registered as an Indian vessel.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification, declare any port or place as a port of registry under this Act and every Indian vessel shall be registered under this Part.
(4) Any vessel registered at a port in India under any enactment repealed by this Act shall, at the commencement of this Act, be deemed to have been registered under this Act and recognised as an Indian vessel.
(5) Subject to any exemptions or modifications made by the Central Government, all vessels belonging to the Government, other than vessels of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, customs authorities, Central Armed Police Forces and police, shall be registered under this Act.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, an Indian vessel may be registered in a State other than India subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(7) Any Indian vessel proceeding to sea without a valid certificate of registration under this Act shall be detained until a valid certificate of registration is produced to the proper officer.
(8) A vessel other than an Indian vessel abandoned in Indian waters which is subsequently acquired by an entity eligible to register a vessel under this Act may be registered under this Act in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(a) a citizen of India including a Non-Resident Indian or an Overseas Citizen of India; or
(b) a company or a body established by or under any Central Act or State Act having its registered office or principal place of business in India; or
(c) such other person or body as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.
(2) No vessel which is wholly owned by an Overseas Citizen of India shall be required to be registered as an Indian vessel.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification, declare any port or place as a port of registry under this Act and every Indian vessel shall be registered under this Part.
(4) Any vessel registered at a port in India under any enactment repealed by this Act shall, at the commencement of this Act, be deemed to have been registered under this Act and recognised as an Indian vessel.
(5) Subject to any exemptions or modifications made by the Central Government, all vessels belonging to the Government, other than vessels of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, customs authorities, Central Armed Police Forces and police, shall be registered under this Act.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, an Indian vessel may be registered in a State other than India subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(7) Any Indian vessel proceeding to sea without a valid certificate of registration under this Act shall be detained until a valid certificate of registration is produced to the proper officer.
(8) A vessel other than an Indian vessel abandoned in Indian waters which is subsequently acquired by an entity eligible to register a vessel under this Act may be registered under this Act in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.
Section 16 Registration of Indian chartered foreign vessels.
Any foreign vessel chartered on a bareboat charter-cum-demise contract by an Indian charterer may be registered under this Part in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
Explanation.---For the purposes of this section, "bareboat charter-cum-demise" means a bareboat charter where the ownership of the vessel is intended to be transferred after a specified period to the charterer to whom it has been chartered.
Explanation.---For the purposes of this section, "bareboat charter-cum-demise" means a bareboat charter where the ownership of the vessel is intended to be transferred after a specified period to the charterer to whom it has been chartered.
Section 17 Temporary registration of vessels sought to be recycled.
Any vessel not registered under this Act which is sought to be recycled in India in accordance with the provisions of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 (49 of 2019) and the rules made thereunder, may be registered temporarily under this Part in such manner, for such duration and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
Section 18 Registrar of Indian vessels.
The principal officer of the Mercantile Marine Department or such person as the Central Government may, by notification authorise, shall be the Registrar of Indian vessels at such port of registry as may be specified in the notification.
Section 19 Provisional registration of Indian vessel.
(1) If, at any port or place a vessel becomes entitled to be registered as an Indian vessel, the Registrar may grant a provisional certificate of registration in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed and such provisional certificate shall have the effect of a certificate of registration.
(2) The procedure for validity and extension or cancellation of such registration shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The unsatisfied mortgage shall continue to be reflected in the register book in case of deemed closure of the provisional registration.
(2) The procedure for validity and extension or cancellation of such registration shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The unsatisfied mortgage shall continue to be reflected in the register book in case of deemed closure of the provisional registration.
Section 20 Procedure for registration of Indian vessels.
(1) An Indian vessel shall be registered in accordance with such procedure, for such period and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
(2) On the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (1), the registration of the vessel shall be renewed in accordance with such procedure and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
(3) The Director-General shall, by way of an order, specify certain conditions for an Indian vessel and for different classes of vessels sought to be registered under this Act.
(4) Where it appears to the Registrar that there is any doubt as to the title of any Indian vessel, he may require evidence to be given to his satisfaction that the vessel is entitled to be registered as an Indian vessel in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(5) The Registrar shall, on being satisfied with the requirements of this section, grant---
(a) a certificate of registration containing the particulars of the vessel as entered in the register book in such form and manner as may be prescribed;
(b) a tonnage certificate containing the gross and net tonnage as determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
(6) In the event of the certificate of registration being defaced or mutilated, a new certificate shall be granted in lieu of the original certificate in such manner as may be prescribed.
(7) In the event of a registered vessel being,---
(a) actually, or constructively lost;
(b) taken by the enemy;
(c) burnt or broken up;
(d) for any reason, ceasing to be an Indian vessel; or
(e) registered under any other law for the time being in force at the relevant time,
every owner of such vessel shall immediately on obtaining knowledge of the event, comply with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(8) Every Indian vessel shall be described by such name, call sign and official number in such manner as may be prescribed.
(9) Every Registrar shall keep a register book, make entries in that book and maintain the records of vessels registered under the provisions of this Act, in such manner as may be prescribed.
(10) Where there is a change in ownership of a registered Indian vessel, the Registrar of the port of registry shall register the name of new owner and grant a fresh certificate of registration, in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(2) On the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (1), the registration of the vessel shall be renewed in accordance with such procedure and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
(3) The Director-General shall, by way of an order, specify certain conditions for an Indian vessel and for different classes of vessels sought to be registered under this Act.
(4) Where it appears to the Registrar that there is any doubt as to the title of any Indian vessel, he may require evidence to be given to his satisfaction that the vessel is entitled to be registered as an Indian vessel in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(5) The Registrar shall, on being satisfied with the requirements of this section, grant---
(a) a certificate of registration containing the particulars of the vessel as entered in the register book in such form and manner as may be prescribed;
(b) a tonnage certificate containing the gross and net tonnage as determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
(6) In the event of the certificate of registration being defaced or mutilated, a new certificate shall be granted in lieu of the original certificate in such manner as may be prescribed.
(7) In the event of a registered vessel being,---
(a) actually, or constructively lost;
(b) taken by the enemy;
(c) burnt or broken up;
(d) for any reason, ceasing to be an Indian vessel; or
(e) registered under any other law for the time being in force at the relevant time,
every owner of such vessel shall immediately on obtaining knowledge of the event, comply with such procedure as may be prescribed.
(8) Every Indian vessel shall be described by such name, call sign and official number in such manner as may be prescribed.
(9) Every Registrar shall keep a register book, make entries in that book and maintain the records of vessels registered under the provisions of this Act, in such manner as may be prescribed.
(10) Where there is a change in ownership of a registered Indian vessel, the Registrar of the port of registry shall register the name of new owner and grant a fresh certificate of registration, in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed.