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The Inland Vessels Act, 2021
(ACT NO. 24 OF 2021)
[As on the 6th October, 2025]
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED
G.S.R. . . . . . for General Statutory Rules.
S.O. . . . . . ,, Statutory Order.
Notifn. . . . . . ,, Notification.
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THE INLAND VESSELS ACT, 2021
__________
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
__________
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
SECTIONS
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Application and scope.
3. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
DECLARATION OF INLAND WATER AREA INTO ZONES
4. Declaration of inland water area into Zones.
CHAPTER III
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
5. Administrative role of Central Government and State Governments.
6. Competent authority.
CHAPTER IV
SURVEY OF INLAND VESSELS
7. Power to classify and categorise for purpose of survey.
8. Construction, alteration or modification of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
9. Survey of vessels.
10. Appointment and qualifications of surveyors.
11. Powers of surveyors.
12. Grant of certificate of survey and procedures.
13. Provisional certificate of survey and its effect.
14. Mechanically propelled inland vessels not to proceed without certificate of survey, and
requirement of Zone to be specified in such certificate.
15. Suspension and cancellation of certificate of survey.
16. Delivery of expired, suspended or cancelled certificate of survey.
CHAPTER V
REGISTRATION
17. Registration
18. Requirement of certificate of registration.
19. Owner or master to carry certificate of registration.
20. Appointment of ports or places of registry and Registrars of Inland Vessels.
21. Book of registry.
22. Central database of inland vessels.
23. Application and processes of registration of vessels.
24. Grant of certificate of registration and marking of vessel.
25. Effect of certificate of registration.
26. Duplicate certificate.
27. Provisional certificate of registration.
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SECTIONS
28. Registration of modifications or alterations.
29. Change of residence or place of business.
30. Prohibition against transfer of ownership of registered vessel.
31. Suspension of certificate of registration.
32. Cancellation of registration.
33. Mortgage of mechanically propelled inland vessel or share therein.
CHAPTER VI
MANNING, QUALIFICATION, TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION
34. Training and minimum age for employment.
35. Minimum manning scale and manning requirements.
36. Appointment and duties of examiners.
37. Grant of certificate of competency.
38. Certificate of service.
39. Effect of certificate of competency or certificate of service.
40. Suspension and cancellation of certificate.
41. Registry of certificate holders and central registry.
CHAPTER VII
SPECIAL CATEGORY VESSELS
42. Special category vessels.
43. Appointment or authorisation of officers to implement provisions, grant certificate of fitness, etc.
44. Safety of passengers or service users.
45. Inspection of vessel.
46. Suspension or cancellation of certificate of fitness.
CHAPTER VIII
NAVIGATION SAFETY AND SIGNALS
47. Navigation safety, lights and signals.
48. Obligation to ensure safe navigation.
49. Distress signal.
50. Assistance to vessels in distress and persons in distress.
51. Life saving, fire safety and communication appliances.
CHAPTER IX
PREVENTION OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY INLAND VESSEL
52. Chemicals, etc., to be designated as pollutants.
53. Certificate of prevention of pollution.
54. Reception facilities and containment of pollution.
55. Appointment of surveyor or officer to inspect.
56. Investigation into incidents of pollution.
CHAPTER X
WRECK AND SALVAGE
57. Prohibition against intentionally causing wreck.
58. Receivers of wreck.
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SECTIONS
59. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter X.
CHAPTER XI
LIABILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
60. Liability under Act.
61. Apportionment of loss.
62. Liability for personal injury, loss of life or pollution to environment.
63. Detention of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
64. Limitation of liability.
65. Non-applicability of limitation.
CHAPTER XII
INSURANCE OF MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VESSELS PLYING IN INLAND WATERS
66. Insurance to cover.
67. Contractual liability not to cover.
68. Issuance and terms of insurance policy.
69. Duty to indemnify and direct action against insurer.
70. Effect of death on certain causes of action.
71. Effect of certificate of insurance.
72. Transfer of certificate of insurance.
73. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter XII.
CHAPTER XIII
INQUIRY INTO CASUALITY, ACCIDENT OR WRECK
74. Reporting of casualty, accident, wreck, etc.
75. Preliminary enquiry by designated authority and inquiry by District Magistrate.
76. Assessors.
77. Report of District Magistrate to be notified by State Government.
78. Powers of District Magistrate subsequent to inquiry.
79. Power of State Government to suspend, cancel and confiscate certificate.
CHAPTER XIV
REGULATION OF TRADE PRACTICES
80. Powers of Central Government to protect interests of service providers and service users.
81. Prohibited goods and dangerous goods.
82. Trade permission and endorsement of certificates of foreign vessels.
CHAPTER XV
PILOTAGE, VESSEL DETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
83. Pilotage.
84. Certified master to be deemed pilot under Act 15 of 1908.
85. Vessel detention and forfeiture.
86. Constitution of Development Fund.
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CHAPTER XVI
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
SECTIONS
87. Offences and penalties.
88. Offences by company, limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement.
89. Fees, additional fee, payment and collection.
90. Cognizance of offence.
CHAPTER XVII
NON-MECHANICALLY PROPELLED INLAND VESSEL
91. Local self-governance.
92. Obligation to enroll.
93. Certificate of enrolment and marking of vessel.
94. Standards of construction and safety.
95. Power of State Government to make rules to regulate non-mechanically propelled inland
vessels.
96. Constitution of welfare fund.
CHAPTER XVIII
MISCELLANEOUS
97. Desertion and absence without leave.
98. General powers of Central Government to make rules.
99. Emergency preparedness.
100. Removal of lawful obstruction.
101. Validity of certificates issued under laws other than this Act.
102. Obstruction to officer appointed or authorised.
103. Place of trial.
104. Composition of offences.
105. Appeal.
106. Power of Central Government to make rules.
107. Power of State Government to make rules.
108. Power of Central Government to give directions.
109. Protection of action taken in good faith.
110. Power to remove difficulties.
111. Consistency with other laws.
112. Suspension or alteration of application and operation of Act.
113. Laying of rules and notifications.
114. Repeal and savings.
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THE INLAND VESSELS ACT, 2021
ACT NO. 24 OF 2021
[11th August, 2021.]
An Act to promote economical and safe transportation and trade through inland waters, to bring
uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the
country, to provide for safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, and prevention of
pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland vessels, to ensure
transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation, to
strengthen procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey, registration,
manning, navigation and such other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Inland Vessels Act,
2021.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint:
Provided that different dates may be appointed for bringing into force different provisions of this Act
in different States or Union territories, as it may deem fit by the Central Government.
2. Application and scope.—(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the provisions of
Chapters I, III, X, XVI and XVIII shall apply to all inland vessels plying within inland waters of India,
and—
(a) Chapters IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV shall apply to all mechanically
propelled vessels registered under this Act;
(b) Chapters VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIII shall apply to vessels registered under such laws in
force in India other than this Act, or registered in such laws in force in any country other than India;
but endorsed or recognised under this Act for the purpose of plying within inland waterways;
(c) Chapters IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV shall apply to all vessels
identified as special category vessels plying or using inland waterways;
(d) Chapter XVII shall apply to all non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government or the State
Government, as the case may be, may extend the application of any Chapter or provision of this Act to
any class or category of inland vessels, or to any region of inland waters, by notification in the Official
Gazette.
3. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “authorised insurer” means any insurance company carrying on any class of marine insurance
business, which is registered or recognised by the Central Government under any law for the time
being in force in India;
1. 16th February, 2022, Section 1 and 106, vide Notification S.O. 743(E), dated 16th February, 2022, see Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).
7th of June, 2022, Section 2 to 105 and 107 to 114, vide Notification S.O. 2604(E), dated 7th June, 2022, see Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).
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(b) “bareboat charter” means an arrangement for the hiring of a vessel without crew, where the
charterer is responsible for appointing the crew and making other arrangements;
(c) “bareboat charter-cum-demise” is a bareboat charter where the ownership of the vessel is
intended to be transferred after a specified period to the company to which it has been chartered;
(d) “cargo terminal” means a place designated for the loading, or unloading, or any other allied
processes of such loading or unloading of cargo in a port, jetty, wharf or such other places developed
within inland waters for the purpose of loading and unloading of cargo;
(e) “casualty” includes any vessel which—
(i) is lost, abandoned, materially damaged;
(ii) causes loss of material or damage to any other vessel;
(iii) causes any loss of life or personal injury;
(iv) causes pollution as a result of or in connection with its operation;
(f) “central database” means the centralised record maintained for recording the data and details
of—
(i) vessels;
(ii) registration of vessels;
(iii) crew and manning in the vessels;
(iv) certificates issued in respect of vessels;
(v) reception facilities; and
(vi) such other data,
to be recorded and maintained in the form of an electronic portal or in such other form and manner as may
be prescribed by the Central Government;
(g) “certificate of insurance” means a certificate issued by an authorised insurer in pursuance of
the insurance premium paid by the insured, and includes a cover note complying with such
requirements as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
(h) “competent authority” means the authority referred to in section 6;
(i) “court” means any civil court, revenue court or High Court having jurisdiction over the matters
of liabilities and offences as provided in this Act including investigation and inquiry into claims
arising out of causalities and accidents within its jurisdiction;
(j) “cover note” includes any note of undertaking issued by the insurer who promises to cover the
liability and to indemnify the losses incurred by the insured as provided in the contract of insurance;
(k) “crew” means personnel employed for operation or serving on an inland vessel other than
master or passengers as a part of performing the functions of manning;
(l) “dangerous cargo” means any cargo, which, due to its nature, form or content as a whole or in
part, are declared as dangerous or potentially dangerous while carried in on any class or category of
inland vessels in inland waters under this Act or any other law for the time being in force;
(m) “dangerous goods” means any goods, which, due to its nature, form or content as a whole or
in part, are declared as dangerous or potentially dangerous while carried in on any class or category of
inland vessels in inland waters under this Act or any other law for the time being in force;
(n) “designated authority” means the authorities appointed by State Government under sub-
section (3) of section 5;
(o) “fishing vessel” means a vessel fitted with mechanical mode of propulsion, which is
exclusively engaged in fishing for profit, within inland waters;
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(p) “hazardous chemical” means any chemical, which has been designated as pollutants under this
Act or any other law for the time being in force in India;
(q) “inland vessel” includes any mechanically propelled inland vessel or non-mechanically
propelled inland vessel which is registered and plying in inland waters, but does not include—
(i) a fishing vessel registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) or the
Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 (13 of 1972); and
(ii) any vessel that are specified as not to be inland vessels by notification by the Central
Government.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, it is clarified that a vessel registered under the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) and plying within the inland waters shall be deemed to be
an inland vessel registered under this Act;
(r) “inland waters”, for the purpose of inland navigation, includes any—
(i) canal, river, lake or other navigable water inward of baseline or as may be declared by
notification in the Official Gazette by the Central Government;
(ii) tidal water limit, as may be declared by notification in the Official Gazette by the Central
Government;
(iii) national waterways declared by the Central Government; and
(iv) other waters as may be declared by notification in the Official Gazette by the Central
Government;
(s) “lien” is a legal right or interest that a creditor has in the inland vessel or any property thereof,
retained until a debt or duty is secured, or the performance of some other obligation is satisfied;
(t) “limitation of liability” means the rate or extent of liability within which the owner or such
other persons entitled under this Act, may limit the liability or be permitted to limit or cap the liability
arising out of claims, in accordance with the procedure laid down and the rates, as may be specified in
this Act or as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
(u) “load line” means a water line which is marked on an inland vessel to denote the safe carrying
or loading capacity of such vessel;
(v) “master” includes any person including serang or such other person, who is in command or in
charge of any inland vessel, and does not include a pilot or harbour master;
(w) “material fact” means a fact of such a nature, which determines the judgment of a prudent
insurer, in assessing the extent of his liability, premium to be charged, conditions to be specified and
such other terms to be entered and incorporated in a policy of insurance governing the relationship
with the insured;
(x) “material particular” means any particular of such a nature, which determines the judgment of
a prudent insurer, in assessing the extent of his liability, premium to be charged, conditions to be
specified and such other terms to be entered and incorporated in a policy of insurance governing the
relationship with the insured;
(y) “mechanically propelled inland vessel” means—
(i) any inland vessel in the inland waters which is propelled by mechanical means of
propulsion; or
(ii) floating units, floating surfaces, dumb vessels, barges, rigs, jetties or such other non-
mechanically propelled inland vessel, which are towed or pushed with the assistance of another
mechanically propelled vessel and used for carriage, storage, transportation and accommodation
of passengers and cargo in or through inland waters;
(z) “minimum manning requirement” means the standard and number of persons required for safe
manning and navigation of vessels, as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
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(za) “non-mechanically propelled inland vessel” means any vessel which is not a mechanically
propelled inland vessel;
(zb) “notification” means a notification published in the Gazette of India or the Official Gazette
of a State, as the case may be, and the expression “notify” with its grammatical variation and cognate
expressions shall be construed accordingly;
(zc) “obnoxious substance” means any substance, which has been designated as pollutants under
this Act or any other law for the time being in force in India;
(zd) “official number” means the number assigned to any vessel by the Registrar of Inland
Vessels or such other person appointed under this Act, to be affixed or displayed on a conspicuous
part of such vessel to refer, distinguish and identify one vessel from another;
(ze) “oil” means any edible oil carried on vessel as cargo or persistent oil such as crude oil, heavy
diesel oil, lubricating oil and white oil, carried on board of a vessel as cargo or fuel;
(zf) “oily mixture” means a mixture with any oil content;
(zg) “owner” means operator, charterer, beneficial owner or registered owner, who is responsible
for the activities of the vessel and shall be under obligation to comply with the provisions of this Act
in relation to, or in possessing express or implied title under this Act or any other law for the time
being in force;
(zh) “passenger” means any person carried on board of a vessel, except persons employed or
engaged in any capacity on board of the vessel in connection with the business of the vessel;
(zi) “passenger terminal” means the terminal designated for the embarking or dis-embarking of
passengers and the permitted cargo, in a port, jetty, wharf or like places;
(zj) “passenger vessel” means any vessel permitted to carry more than twelve passengers;
(zk) “pilot” means a person appointed by the owner of the vessel to assist the master or to steer
the vessel in such area of inland water in accordance with the mandatory requirements, as specified
in section 83;
(zl) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules by the Central Government or a State Government, as
the case may be;
(zm) “priority of lien” means the ranking of liens in the order in which they are perfected or
recorded in the book of registry maintained at every port or place of registry;
(zn) “reciprocating country” means any country, as may on the basis of reciprocity, specified by
notification by the Central Government to be a reciprocating country for the purposes of this Act;
(zo) “recognised organisation” means any organisation recognised and authorised by the Central
Government to perform and execute the functions involved in survey, classification or certification of
vessels;
(zp) “salvage” means an act of the salvor in retrieving or saving any property or life in danger due
to wreck or accident and includes all expenses incurred by the salvor in the performance of salvage
services;
(zq) “salvor” means any person who conducts salvage operations;
(zr) “service provider” includes any person, who in the capacity of owner or operator of an inland
vessel used or plying in inland waters, providing services to any service user for the purposes of
transportation, storage or accommodation;
(zs) “service user” includes any person who as a passenger or owner of cargo or freight
forwarder, uses the services of any inland vessel in the inland waters for transportation, storage or
accommodation purposes;
(zt) “special category vessel” means a mechanically propelled inland vessel that is identified
under this Act as special by considering its use, purpose, function or utility or the means of
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propulsion including the fuelling system or source of power for propulsion, such as liquefied natural
gas, electrical propulsion, the design, dimensions of construction or areas of operation or such other
criteria or standards;
(zu) “vessel” includes every description of water craft used or capable of being used in inland
waters, including any ship, boat, sailing vessel, tug, barge or other description of vessel including
non-displacement craft, amphibious craft, wing-in-ground craft, ferry, roll on-roll-off vessel,
container vessel, tanker vessel, gas carrier or floating unit or dumb vessel used for transportation,
storage or accommodation within or through inland waters;
(zv) “wreck” means a state of any vessel, or goods or a part or property of such vessel or carried
on the vessel,—
(i) which have been cast into or have fallen into the inland waters and then sunk and remain
under water or remains floating on the surface; or
(ii) which have sunk in the inland waters, but are attached to a floating object in order that
they may be found again; or
(iii) which are intentionally thrown away or abandoned without hope or intention of recovery;
or
(iv) which by its presence in inland waters, is a hazard or causes impediment to navigation, or
adversely affects safety of life or causes pollution.
CHAPTER II
DECLARATION OF INLAND WATER AREA INTO ZONES
4. Declaration of inland water area into Zones.—(1) The State Government may, for the purposes
of this Act, declare by notification any inland water area to be a “Zone” depending on the maximum
significant wave height criteria specified in sub-section (2).
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the State Government may classify the maximum significant
wave height criteria into the following Zones, namely:—
(i) Zone 1 refers to the area (other than Zone 2 or Zone 3) where the maximum significant wave
height does not exceed 2.0 metres;
(ii) Zone 2 refers to the area (other than Zone 3) where the maximum significant wave height
does not exceed 1.2 metres; and
(iii) Zone 3 refers to the area where the maximum significant wave height does not exceed 0.6
metres.
CHAPTER III
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
5. Administrative role of Central Government and State Governments.—(1) 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 provision of this Act, or the rules made thereunder, or as may be
specified in the order allocating the duties, shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be so
specified, also be exercisable by the competent authority or by such other officer as may be specified in
that order.
(2) On and from the date of issue of notifications or rules made by the Central Government under the
provisions of this Act, the provisions shall,—
(a) uniformly apply in whole or in any part of India, as may be specified therein; and
(b) prevail over such notifications or rules, as the case may be, issued or made by the State
Governments.
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(3) The State Governments may, by notification, appoint one or more designated authorities within
their respective jurisdiction for the purposes of exercising or discharging the powers, authority or duties
conferred, by or under this Act and the rules made thereunder.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) and section 6, the existing administrative
authorities constituted under State Governments or Union territory Administrations may continue to be
the designated authorities for the purposes of sub-section (3).
(5) The State Government may, for the purposes of implementing the various provisions of this Act
and the rules made thereunder, by general or special order, direct that any power or authority conferred
under this Act, subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may think fit, be exercised or discharged
by the respective designated authorities or any officer or any other organisation or body.
(6) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the State Government shall have the power to make rules
and shall exercise the powers conferred on it, as provided by or under this Act.
(7) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, for the purposes of administration of the
non-mechanically propelled inland vessels, as specified in Chapter XVII, the Central Government shall
have no powers of administration and shall only provide assistance to the respective State Government,
on receipt of official request from such State Government.
6. Competent authority.—The Inland Waterways Authority of India, constituted under section 3 of
the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 (82 of 1985) shall be the competent authority for the
purpose of exercising or discharging the powers, authority or duties conferred, by or under this Act.
CHAPTER IV
SURVEY OF INLAND VESSELS
7. Power to classify and categorise for purpose of survey.—(1) For the purposes of this
Chapter, —
(a) the classification of mechanically propelled vessels;
(b) the criteria for such classification; and
(c) the standards of design, construction, fitness and crew accommodation of such vessels,
shall be such, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The State Government shall classify and categorise mechanically propelled inland vessels on the
basis of criteria and standards referred to in sub-section (1).
8. Construction, alteration or modification of mechanically propelled inland vessel.—(1) No
person shall construct any mechanically propelled inland vessel, or alter or modify any mechanically
propelled inland vessel so as to affect its strength, stability or safety, except with prior approval of the
designated authority, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The list of alterations or modifications referred to in sub-section (1), which would affect the
strength, stability or safety of any mechanically propelled inland vessel, and the criteria therefor, shall be
such as may be specified by the Central Government, by notification.
9. Survey of vessels.—(1) The standard for type and periodicity of surveys for every mechanically
propelled inland vessel shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The owner, operator, master or construction yard or any other applicant, as the case may be, shall
submit a request for survey in such form and content as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
10. Appointment and qualifications of surveyors.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, the State Government
may, by notification, appoint officers or persons as surveyors of inland vessels and such surveyors shall be
deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(2) The minimum criteria and qualifications for the appointment of surveyors, which the State
Governments shall adopt in the appointment of surveyors, shall be such as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
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11. Powers of surveyors.—(1) On receipt of the application from the owner or master or construction
yard for conducting survey, in such form and within such time as may be prescribed by the Central
Government, the surveyor may board or enter and inspect a mechanically propelled inland vessel:
Provided that the surveyor shall not unnecessarily hinder the loading or unloading of cargo or;
embarking or dis-embarking of passengers of the mechanically propelled inland vessel, or unnecessarily
detain or delay her from proceeding on any voyage.
(2) The owner, operator, master and crew of the mechanically propelled inland vessel shall render the
surveyor, all reasonable facilities for conducting survey, and all information with respect to such
mechanically propelled inland vessel, and her machinery or any part thereof, and all equipment and
articles on board, as he may require for the purposes of a survey.
12. Grant of certificate of survey and procedures.—(1) On completion of survey of a mechanically
propelled inland vessel, the surveyor shall forthwith issue the applicant, a declaration of survey, valid for
such period and in such form, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The State Government shall, if satisfied that all the provisions of this Act have been complied
with in respect of a declaration submitted under sub-section (1), and on receipt of payment of fee, as may
be prescribed by the State Government, issue a certificate of survey to the applicant.
(3) A certificate of survey granted under this section shall be in such form as may be prescribed by
the Central Government, and shall contain a statement to the effect that all the provisions of this Act with
respect to the survey of the mechanically propelled inland vessel and the declaration of surveyor have
been complied with, and shall set forth such particulars or such other terms and conditions, as may be
prescribed by the Central Government.
(4) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate all or any of the
functions assigned to it by the Central Government under this section:
Provided that no delegation shall be made to authorise the grant of a certificate of survey by the
surveyor, who made the declaration of survey under sub-section (1).
13. Provisional certificate of survey and its effect.—(1) On receipt of application and the fee from
the owner or operator of any mechanically propelled inland vessel, the surveyor who conducted the
survey, may grant a provisional certificate of survey extending the validity of the prevailing certificate of survey
by endorsement, in such form and for such period, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Any mechanically propelled inland vessel, which has been issued with a provisional certificate of
survey or endorsement under sub-section (1), may proceed on voyage or use in service, temporarily,
pending the issue of the certificate of survey, in such manner and subject to the conditions as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
14. Mechanically propelled inland vessels not to proceed without certificate of survey, and
requirement of Zone to be specified in such certificate.—(1) No mechanically propelled inland vessel
shall be used nor proceed on voyage, without a valid certificate of survey that shall provide or indicate
among others, the Zone intended for operation or applicable voyage or service of such vessel.
(2) The certificate of survey shall have effect throughout India, unless otherwise specified therein and
subject to such other conditions as may be specified by the competent authority.
(3) The certificate of survey shall be valid for such period as may be specified by notification by the
Central Government and shall not be in force—
(a) after the expiration of the period specified in the certificate of survey; or
(b) after notice has been issued to cancel or suspend such certificate.
(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent the State Government from excluding a mechanically
propelled inland vessel from the requirement under sub-section (1), on an application made by the owner
or master of the vessel for permission to proceed on a voyage; during the interval between the date on
which the certificate of survey expires and the earliest possible date of renewal.
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(5) After cessation of a certificate of survey, a valid certificate of survey shall be obtained only after a
fresh survey of the mechanically propelled inland vessel has been conducted by any surveyor appointed
under this Act.
15. Suspension and cancellation of certificate of survey.—(1) The State Government may suspend
or cancel a certificate of survey, if it has reason to believe that—
(a) the declaration of the surveyor of the sufficiency and good condition of the hull, engines or
other machinery or of any of the equipment of the mechanically propelled vessel has been
fraudulently or erroneously made; or
(b) the certificate has otherwise been granted upon false or erroneous information; or
(c) since the making of the declaration, the hull, engine or other machinery, or any of the
equipment of the mechanically propelled vessel have sustained any material damage, or have
otherwise become insufficient.
(2) The State Government shall issue the notice of suspension of certificate of survey to the owner,
operator, master or construction yard by stating the errors to be rectified and conditions that have to be
complied with by the owner, operator, master or construction yard within three months from the date of
issuance of such notice, in such manner as may be prescribed by that Government.
(3) In the event of non-compliance of the notice of suspension by the owner, operator, master or
construction yard within the period specified therein, the State Government shall record such non-
compliance and shall issue the notice of cancellation of certificate of survey, which shall come into force
with immediate effect.
16. Delivery of expired, suspended or cancelled certificate of survey.—(1) The owner or master
shall deliver the certificate of survey, which has expired or has been suspended or cancelled, to such
officer as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf.
(2) The State Government shall record the details of the cancelled certificate in the book of registry
maintained by the Registrar of Inland Vessels.
CHAPTER V
REGISTRATION
17. Registration.—(1) Any mechanically propelled inland vessel, which is wholly owned by—
(a) a citizen of India; or
(b) a co-operative society registered or deemed to be registered under the Co-operative Societies
Act, 1912 (2 of 1912); or
(c) a body established under any Act relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force
in any State; or
(d) a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013); or
(e) a partnership firm registered under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009); or
(f) any other body including a partnership firm, trust or societies established by or under any
Central or State enactment and which has its principal place of business in India;
(g) any legal business combination, otherwise allowed under the existing commercial law for the
time being in force in India, within the permissible foreign direct investment limits in the sector and
having its principal place of business in India,
shall be registered under the provisions of this Act.
(2) A foreign vessel, other than vessels registered or obligated to register under the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), chartered on bareboat charter-cum-demise by an Indian charterer, for
the purposes of plying exclusively within inland waters, shall be registered under the provisions of this
Chapter.
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(3) The inland vessels registered under this Act may also be registered under the Merchant Shipping
Act, 1958 (44 of 1958).
Explanation.—For the purposes of sub-section (2), “Indian charterer” shall mean a person referred to
in clauses (a) to (g) of sub-section (1), who has chartered a vessel on bareboat charter-cum-demise
contract.
18. Requirement of certificate of registration.—(1) A mechanically propelled inland vessel
required to be registered under this Chapter, shall not proceed on any voyage or be used for any service,
unless it has a valid certificate of registration granted under this Act in respect thereof.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the authority appointed or authorised
under this Chapter may—
(a) permit any mechanically propelled inland vessel, built at any place other than a port or place
of registry, to make her first voyage through the inland waters to any such port or place for the
purpose of registration; or
(b) permit the vessel registered under any law for the time being in force in India for which
provisions have been made under this Act to conduct voyage within the inland waters; or
(c) permit any mechanically propelled vessel registered under such laws of countries other than
India, which shall only be permitted to ply within the inland waters subject to compliance of such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
19. Owner or master to carry certificate of registration.—(1) The owner or master of an inland
vessel shall carry a valid certificate of registration issued under this Chapter and shall make available for
inspection, when demanded by the officers appointed by the State Government.
(2) The State Government or such other officer appointed or authorised under this Chapter may detain
any mechanically propelled inland vessel required to be registered under this Act, until the respective
owner, operator or master of such vessel furnishes a valid certificate of registration.
20. Appointment of ports or places of registry and Registrars of Inland Vessels.—(1) For the
purposes of this Chapter, the State Government may, by notification, —
(a) appoint ports or places of registry; and
(b) appoint Registrar of Inland Vessels at the said ports or places of registry, who shall be deemed
to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(2) A Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, in respect to the port or place of registry for which he is
appointed, perform his functions as may be prescribed by the State Government.
21. Book of registry.—(1) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall maintain and keep a book of
registry, which shall have record of all particulars contained in the form of certificate of registration as
may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall report the details of the book of registry or entries made
therein, to the State Government at regular intervals, in such manner and period as may be prescribed by
the State Government.
(3) The State Government shall report and update the Central Government in respect of—
(a) the designated ports and places of registry;
(b) the details of officers appointed or authorised under this Chapter; and
(c) the details of registrations as entered in the book of registry,
to facilitate and administer the registration processes under this Chapter.
22. Central database of inland vessels.—The Central Government shall appoint officers to maintain
a central data base for inland vessels, in such form and manner, and the functions of the officers so
appointed shall be such, as may be prescribed by that Government.
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23. Application and processes of registration of vessels.—(1) The owner or master, may make an
application for registration of a mechanically propelled inland vessel, which has a valid certificate of
survey issued under this Act, in such form, manner and along with such particulars, as may be prescribed
by the Central Government.
(2) The list of documents to be submitted or adduced by the applicants for registration, in addition to
the particulars referred to in sub-section (1), shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
(3) Every application for registration shall be made to the Registrar of Inland Vessels, within the
jurisdiction of the respective State in which the owner of the mechanically propelled inland vessel—
(a) ordinarily resides; or
(b) has the principal place of business or the officially registered office.
(4) If the Registrar of Inland Vessels is satisfied that the vessel or the application submitted for
registration is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act, he may refuse to register a mechanically
propelled inland vessel for reasons to be recorded in writing and shall provide the applicant a note
containing the reasons for such refusal.
24. Grant of certificate of registration and marking of vessel.—(1) Subject to the provisions of
section 23, the Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, grant the certificate of registration to the applicant, who
has paid such fee, as may be prescribed by the State Government, and assign the official number to such
registered vessel.
(2) The certificate of registration shall be in such form and content, as may be prescribed by the
Central Government, and shall contain the following particulars, namely:—
(a) registered address of the owner and other ownership details;
(b) details of mortgage, if any;
(c) official number;
(d) classification and category of vessel;
(e) any other particular, as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(3) The owner shall display the official number on a conspicuous part of the vessel, as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
25. Effect of certificate of registration.—(1) The certificate of registration granted under section 24
shall be deemed to be valid in all States and Union territories, unless otherwise specified therein.
(2) The certificate of registration issued under this Chapter shall be conclusive proof of ownership
and title, as declared by the applicant and as entered in the book of registry by the Registrar of Inland
Vessels.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any person who has beneficial interest of
ownership in the mechanically propelled inland vessel or shares therein, shall have the same rights as that
of the registered owner and shall be deemed as owner of such vessel for the purposes of this Act.
26. Duplicate certificate.—(1) If the certificate of registration issued under this Chapter is lost or
destroyed, the registered owner shall apply for a duplicate certificate to the Registrar of Inland Vessels,
who has issued such certificate of registration, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the State
Government.
(2) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, on receipt of application under sub-section (1) and such fees
or additional fees, as may be prescribed by the State Government, issue the duplicate certificate of
registration.
27. Provisional certificate of registration.—(1) The Registrar of Inland Vessels may, pending
issuance of the certificate of registration, upon an application and on payment of fee, by the applicant,
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issue a provisional certificate of registration valid for such period as may be prescribed under
sub-section (2).
(2) The application, fee and the issuance of provisional certificate of registration referred to in
sub-section (1) shall be in such form, rate and manner, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) During the period of validity of the provisional certificate of registration, the owner, operator,
master or construction yard shall implement and comply with all necessary steps to be taken to have the
vessel registered under this Chapter.
28. Registration of modifications or alterations.—(1) The owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel, shall make an application, in such form, manner and within such
period as may be prescribed by the State Government, to effect any alteration or modification affecting
the strength, stability or safety of such mechanically propelled inland vessel along with the respective
certificate of survey, in which such alteration or modification have been approved, to the respective
Registrar of Inland Vessels, who has issued the certificate of registration.
(2) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, on receipt of application and the certificate of survey and on
receipt of such fee, as may be prescribed by the State Government, either cause the alteration or
modification to be registered and entered in the certificate of registration, or direct that the vessel be
registered anew:
Provided that, where the Registrar of Inland Vessels, directs that the vessel be registered anew, he
shall grant a provisional certificate for a specific period describing the vessel as altered or endorse on the
existing certificate about the particulars of the alteration.
(3) Any mechanically propelled inland vessel found plying without complying with sub-section (1) or
sub-section (2) shall be detained by such authority or officer as the State Government may, by general or
special order, appoint in this behalf.
29. Change of residence or place of business.—(1) If the owner of a mechanically propelled inland
vessel ceases to reside or carry on business at the registered address recorded in the certificate of
registration of the vessel, such person shall comply with the procedures prescribed under sub-section (2)
by the Central Government.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the procedures to be complied with by the owner of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel, who ceases to be the owner or applies for the requirement of
transfer of registry or any such circumstances leading to change of the registered address, shall be such as
may be prescribed by the Central Government.
30. Prohibition against transfer of ownership of registered vessel.—No mechanically propelled
inland vessel registered with the registering authority of a State Government under this Chapter, shall be
transferred to a person residing in any country other than India, without the prior approval of the Registrar
of Inland Vessels, who has originally granted the certificate of registration and such a transfer shall be
validated only if made in compliance with such procedures as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
31. Suspension of certificate of registration.—(1) The Registrar of Inland Vessels may at any time,
require any mechanically propelled inland vessel within the local limits of his jurisdiction to be inspected
by such authority as the State Government may, by general or special order, appoint in this behalf.
(2) As a result of such inspection, if the Registrar of Inland Vessels has reason to believe that after the
granting of the certificate of registration, the mechanically propelled inland vessel became unfit to ply in
inland waters, order suspension of the certificate of registration of the said vessel for such period as he
may deem fit.
(3) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, before suspending a certificate of registration, provide to the
owner, operator or master an opportunity of being heard, and record the reasons for such suspension.
(4) The Registrar of Inland Vessels who suspends the certificate of registration under sub-section (2),
shall issue a notice of suspension to the registered owner stating the reasons for suspension and the
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conditions to be complied within such period, as may be prescribed by the State Government, for
withdrawal of such order of suspension.
(5) Where the registration of a mechanically propelled inland vessel is suspended under
sub-section (2) by any Registrar of Inland Vessels, other than the Registrar of Inland Vessels who has
originally issued the certificate of registration, the former shall intimate the latter, regarding such order of
suspension or withdrawal of such order of suspension; and the latter shall enter such order in the book of
registry in which the registration of the vessel is originally recorded.
(6) The Registrar of Inland Vessels suspending the certificate of registration, shall confiscate such
certificate and return the certificate to the owner or master only upon withdrawal of the order of
suspension.
32. Cancellation of registration.—(1) If any mechanically propelled inland vessel registered under
this Act is declared missing, destroyed, lost, abandoned or has been rendered permanently unfit for
service or destined for scrapping or dismantling or sold abroad; the owner of the vessel shall, within such
time as may be prescribed by the Central Government, report the fact to the Registrar of Inland Vessels of
the place where the vessel is registered and shall also forward to that authority, along with the report, the
certificate of registration of the vessel and thereupon such Registrar of Inland Vessels shall have the
certificate of registration cancelled.
(2) Any Registrar of Inland Vessels may at any time require that any mechanically propelled inland
vessel within the local limits of his jurisdiction may be inspected by such designated authority as the State
Government may, by general or special order, appoint in this behalf and, if as a result of such inspection,
such Registrar of Inland Vessels is satisfied that the vessel is in such a condition that it is not fit to ply in
any inland water, the Registrar of Inland Vessels may, after giving the owner of the vessel an opportunity
of being heard, cancel the registration of the vessel and require the owner thereof to surrender forthwith to
him, the certificate of registration in respect of that vessel, if it has not already been so surrendered.
33. Mortgage of mechanically propelled inland vessel or share therein.—(1) A registered
mechanically propelled inland vessel or a share therein may be mortgaged as a security for a loan or other
valuable consideration, and the instrument creating the security shall be in such form, as may be
prescribed by the Central Government, and on the production of such instrument, the Registrar of Inland
Vessels who granted the certificate of registration shall record it in the book of registry.
(2) The manner and the conditions, subject to which a mechanically propelled inland vessel or a share
therein may be mortgaged, shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
CHAPTER VI
MANNING, QUALIFICATION, TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION
34. Training and minimum age for employment.—(1) The standards for qualification, training,
training institutes, examination and grant of certificate of competency for the purposes of this Chapter
shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) No person under the age of eighteen years shall be employed on a mechanically propelled inland
vessel registered under this Act.
35. Minimum manning scale and manning requirements.—The minimum manning scale
applicable to different class or category of mechanically propelled inland vessels, categorised under this
Act or such other laws for the time being in force in India, shall be such as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
36. Appointment and duties of examiners.—(1) The State Government may appoint examiners, in
accordance with the criteria and qualifications, as may be prescribed by the Central Government, for the
purpose of examining the qualifications of persons desirous of obtaining certificates under this Chapter to
the effect that they are competent to undertake the responsibilities of and act as, masters, or as engineers
or engine-drivers, or as such other persons, as the case may be, on the mechanically propelled inland
vessels.
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(2) The examiners shall evaluate the persons who have undergone the training required for qualifying
as masters, or as engineers or engine-drivers, or as such other persons, as the case may be, and shall report
the list of successful candidates who possess the required qualifications to the Central Government or
such other officer appointed or authorised by notification by the State Government.
37. Grant of certificate of competency.—(1) The State Government may evaluate the report
provided by the examiners, and upon confirmation as to the correctness of such report; shall grant to
every candidate; who is reported by the examiners to possess the required qualifications, with the
certificate of competency, certifying that the candidate specified in the report is competent to serve, in such
capacity as may be specified therein, on any class or category or whole of the mechanically propelled inland vessel
as specified in the certificate.
(2) The State Government shall require for further examination or a re-examination of all or any of
the candidates, if it is found that the report submitted by examiners is defective, or there exists reason to
believe that such a report has been unduly made.
(3) The certificate of competency shall be in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
38. Certificate of service.—(1) The State Government may, on an application, without examination,
grant a certificate of service to any person who has served as a master, or as an engineer, of a vessel of the
Coast Guard, Indian Navy or regular Army for such period as may be prescribed in this behalf by the
Central Government, to the effect that he is competent to act, as a first-class master, second-class master
or serang, or as an engineer, first-class engine-driver or second-class engine-driver or in such capacity as
may be specified therein, as the case may be, on board the mechanically propelled inland vessel.
(2) For the purposes of granting of certificate of service under sub-section (1), the State Government
shall verify the certificate, certifying the competence of the applicant as issued by the Coast Guard, Indian
Navy or regular Army, as submitted to it by such applicant along with his application.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the State Government may by recording reasons
thereof, refuse granting of certificate of service under sub-section (1).
(4) A certificate of service so granted under sub-section (1), shall be in such form and manner; and
shall be subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed by the Central Government, and shall have the
same effect as a certificate of competency granted under section 37.
39. Effect of certificate of competency or certificate of service.—Subject to the provisions of this
Act and such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government, a certificate of competency or
certificate of service shall be valid throughout India.
40. Suspension and cancellation of certificate.—(1) If the holder of any certificate issued under this
Chapter is found to have acted in contravention to the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder;
the said certificate shall be liable to be suspended or cancelled.
(2) The State Government or any officer appointed or authorised under this Chapter shall issue notice
to the holder of certificate and shall provide him an opportunity of being heard before suspension or
cancellation of certificates issued under this Chapter.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the State Government or any officer
appointed or authorised under this Chapter, may suspend or cancel the certificate of competency or the
certificate of service granted under this Chapter by recording reasons thereof.
(4) If a certificate issued under the provisions of this Chapter is suspended or cancelled, the holder of
such certificate shall deliver it to the State Government or such officer, appointed or authorised by that
Government by notification in Official Gazette under this Chapter.
41. Registry of certificate holders and central registry.—(1) The State Government shall maintain
registers in electronic format to record, the details and data of the certificate, and the respective
certificates, issued under this Chapter in such form and manner as may be prescribed by it.
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(2) The State Government shall report and update the Central Government with the information on
data and details of certificates issued, granted, cancelled or suspended or such other remarks, made by the
respective authority in regular intervals, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The Central Government shall update the central data base with the reports and information
received from all the State Governments under this Chapter in electronic format.
CHAPTER VII
SPECIAL CATEGORY VESSELS
42. Special category vessels.—(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, the Central Government may, by
rules to be made in this behalf, specify the criteria and standards to identify any class or category of
mechanically propelled inland vessels as special category vessels based on their design, construction, use,
purpose, area of plying, source of energy or fuelling, or any other criteria or standards.
(2) The requirements of construction, design, survey, registration, manning, qualification,
competency, or the requirements in addition to those contained elsewhere in this Act shall be such, as
may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The State Governments shall identify the mechanically propelled inland vessels as special
category vessels based on the criteria and standards prescribed by the Central Government under
sub-section (1).
43. Appointment or authorisation of officers to implement provisions, grant certificate of
fitness, etc.—(1) The State Government shall appoint or authorise such number of officers for the
purpose of performing duties and implementing the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) On an application made by owner, operator or master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel
in such form as may be prescribed by the State Government, any officer appointed or authorised under
sub-section (1), on being satisfied that such vessel complies with the provisions of this Act and falls under
the special category vessels as identified in this Chapter, and subject to such other conditions including
validity as may be prescribed by the State Government, may grant a certificate of fitness, in such form
and manner as may be prescribed by that Government.
(3) The officer appointed or authorised under sub-section (1) may, for reasons to be recorded in
writing, refuse to grant the certificate of fitness in respect of an application made under sub-section (2).
44. Safety of passengers or service users.—(1) The safety features, gears and such other measures
by which any mechanically propelled inland vessel, identified as special category vessel under this
Chapter, shall comply with and be equipped in accordance with the categorisation of such vessel, shall be
such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(2) The maximum carrying capacity of the vessel identified as special category vessel by specifying
the safety loadline or the limits of loadline to keep them afloat, or such other criteria and conditions, other
than those mentioned elsewhere in this Act for the safe voyage of such inland vessel, shall be such as may
be prescribed by the State Government.
45. Inspection of vessel.—(1) The surveyor may, other than for the purpose of survey, at any
reasonable time, go on board any special category vessel, and inspect the respective vessel including the
hull, equipment and machinery or any part or properties of such vessel.
(2) The owner, operator, agent, master and any such person in-charge of the special category vessel,
shall make available all necessary facilities to the surveyor for inspection and survey, and all such
information regarding the vessel and her machinery and equipment, or any part thereof, respectively, as
the surveyor or such other officer may reasonably require.
46. Suspension or cancellation of certificate of fitness.—(1) If any special category vessel does not
comply with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, the State Government may issue
notice to the owner or operator or master or any person in-charge of such vessel, for rectifying the
non-compliance within such time as may be specified therein.
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(2) In case of continuance of non-compliance by the owner or operator or master or any person
in-charge of the special category vessel even after receipt of the notice issued under sub-section (1), the
State Government may, after providing an opportunity of being heard and for reasons to be recorded in
writing, suspend or cancel the certificate of fitness issued to such vessel under this Chapter.
(3) If the certificate of fitness of a special category vessel has been suspended or cancelled under sub-
section (2), then such vessel shall cease to operate till the suspension is revoked, or in the event of
cancellation, shall cease to operate till a new certificate of fitness is granted.
CHAPTER VIII
NAVIGATION SAFETY AND SIGNALS
47. Navigation safety, lights and signals.—(1) The specifications and requirements of signals and
equipment based on classification and categorisation of mechanically propelled vessels, to be complied
with by such vessels shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The fog and distress signals to be carried and used, the steering and sailing rules to be complied
with and the different protocols for exhibition and display of different standards of lights, shapes and
signals, by any mechanically propelled vessel plying in inland waters shall be such, as may be prescribed
by the Central Government.
(3) The owner or master of every mechanically propelled vessel, while in the inland water limit, shall
comply with the rules made under sub-sections (1) and (2), and shall not carry or exhibit any lights or
shapes or use any fog or distress signals, other than that required to be exhibited under this Chapter or the
rules made thereunder.
48. Obligation to ensure safe navigation.—(1) Every mechanically propelled vessel shall adopt
necessary measures to prevent collision and to ensure safe navigation through inland waters.
(2) If any damage to person or property arises in the inland water limit due to non-observance of any
of the rules made under this Chapter by any mechanically propelled vessel, the damage shall be deemed
to have been occasioned by the wilful default of the person in-charge of such vessel at that time, unless it
is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances of the case demanded deviance from the
applicable rules.
49. Distress signal.—The master of a mechanically propelled vessel, while in the inland water limit,
on finding or encountering a dangerous derelict or any other hazard to navigation in the inland waterways,
shall immediately send a signal to indicate the danger or distress, or any such information to other
mechanically propelled vessels in the vicinity and to the concerned State Government:
Provided that no fees or charges shall be levied on any mechanically propelled vessel, in using any
device for communicating any information under this section.
50. Assistance to vessels in distress and persons in distress.—(1) The master of any mechanically
propelled vessel, while in the inland water limit, who has received any signal of distress from any vessel
or aircraft within the inland water limit, shall proceed immediately to the assistance of the persons in
distress by acknowledging the receipt of such signal to the vessel in distress.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the master of a mechanically propelled
vessel shall be released from the obligation to render assistance as provided in the said sub-section, if he
is unable to do so, or in the special circumstances of the case, considers it unreasonable to act as provided
in the said sub-section, or if the requirement for assistance is being complied with by other vessels, or the
assistance is no longer required.
(3) The master of any mechanically propelled vessel, while in the inland water limit, shall render
assistance to every person found in danger of being lost in the inland waters.
(4) The master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel may abstain from complying with
sub-section (3), if in his judgment, he is unable to or, in the special circumstances of the case, such
assistance may not be rendered without serious danger to his vessel, or to the persons on board and, in
such event shall inform the respective authorities regarding his inability of such non-compliance.
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51. Life saving, fire safety and communication appliances.—(1) The Central Government shall, by
rules made in this behalf, specify the class or category of mechanically propelled inland vessels to be
equipped with navigation aids, life saving appliances, fire detection and extinguishing appliances and
communication appliances.
(2) The owner, operator or master of all mechanically propelled inland vessels shall comply with the
requirements of navigation aids, life saving appliances, fire detection and extinguishing appliances and
communication appliances as specified in sub-section (1).
(3) The State Government may appoint or authorise such officers as surveyors to inspect and ensure
that the mechanically propelled inland vessels comply with the applicable requirements specified in
sub-section (1).
(4) If the surveyor, on inspection, finds that the mechanically propelled inland vessel is not so
provided with life saving and fire appliances in conformity with the provisions of this Act and the rules
made thereunder, he shall issue a notice to the master or owner or operator in writing pointing out the
deficiency, and unless the master or owner or operator complies with the said notice and report such
compliance to the surveyor, the said vessel shall not proceed to conduct any voyage.
CHAPTER IX
PREVENTION OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY INLAND VESSEL
52. Chemicals, etc., to be designated as pollutants.—(1) The Central Government shall, by
notification, designate the list of chemicals, any ingredients or substance carried as bunker or as cargo, or
any substance in any form discharged from any mechanically propelled inland vessel, as pollutants.
(2) The owner or master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel shall discharge or dispose of the
sewage and garbage in accordance with such standards and manner as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
(3) No mechanically propelled inland vessel shall cause pollution by discharging or dumping of
pollutants designated under sub-section (1):
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to the discharge dump or emission of such oil or
oily mixture, hazardous chemical or obnoxious substance or any other pollutant, as the case may be, from
a mechanically propelled inland vessel for the purpose of securing the safety of any mechanically
propelled inland vessel, preventing damage to another mechanically propelled inland vessel, cargo or
saving of life at inland waters.
53. Certificate of prevention of pollution.—(1) The Central Government shall, by rules made in this
behalf, specify the standards of construction and equipment of the mechanically propelled inland vessels
to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(2) The State Government shall appoint or authorise such officers to ensure construction, installation
and maintenance of equipment of all mechanically propelled inland vessels and issue certificate of
prevention of pollution, in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) Every mechanically propelled inland vessel, which has been constructed and equipped in
compliance with this Chapter shall be issued with a certificate of prevention of pollution in such form,
validity and content as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(4) Every mechanically propelled inland vessel shall carry on board a valid certificate of prevention
of pollution and shall furnish the same on demand by concerned officers appointed or authorised under
this Chapter.
54. Reception facilities and containment of pollution.—(1) The Central Government shall, by rules
made in this behalf, specify the conditions for construction, use and maintenance of reception facilities for
the containment of pollution and removal of pollutants arising from spillage or discharge arising from
mechanically propelled inland vessels at all cargo terminals or passenger terminals.
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(2) The owner or operator of all cargo terminals or passenger terminals shall provide reception
facilities to discharge oil, oily mixture, hazardous chemicals, sewage or obnoxious substances at such
cargo or passenger terminal, as the case may be, in compliance of sub-section (1).
(3) The owner or operator of all cargo terminals or passenger terminals, providing reception facilities
shall receive charges, at such rates as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(4) For the purposes of minimising the pollution already caused, or for preventing the imminent threat
of pollution, the Central Government or such other officer appointed by the State Government may, by
order in writing, direct the owner or operator of cargo or passenger terminal to provide or arrange for the
provision of such pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials, at such cargo and
passenger terminal, as may be specified in such order.
(5) The owner or operator of the passenger or cargo terminal shall submit a report of compliance to
the Central Government or such other officer appointed under sub-section (4), in such form as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
(6) The owner, operator or master of any mechanically propelled vessel used or plying within inland
waters, shall discharge the pollutants at the port reception facilities in such manner as may be prescribed
by the State Government.
55. Appointment of surveyor or officer to inspect.—(1) The State Government may appoint or
authorise such officers as surveyors to inspect any cargo or passenger terminal lying within its respective
jurisdiction.
(2) The surveyor authorised under sub-section (1) may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any
cargo or passenger terminal to—
(a) ensure that the provisions of this Chapter are complied with;
(b) verify whether such cargo or passenger terminal is equipped for pollution containment and
removal, in conformity with the order of the State Government or any of the rules made under this
Chapter; and
(c) satisfy himself of the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent pollution.
(3) If the surveyor, on inspection, finds that the cargo or passenger terminal is not provided with the
required pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials, he shall give a notice in
writing pointing out the deficiencies and the recommended remedial measures to rectify such deficiency,
that is identified during the inspection, to the owner or operator of such cargo or passenger terminal, as
the case may be.
(4) No owner or operator of such cargo or passenger terminal, as the case may be, served with the
notice under sub-section (3), shall proceed with any work at such cargo or passenger terminal, until he
obtains a certificate signed by the surveyor to the effect that the cargo or passenger terminal, is properly
provided with the required pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials in
conformity with the rules made under this Chapter.
56. Investigation into incidents of pollution.—(1) The State Government shall direct any designated
authority or such other authorised officer appointed under Chapter XIII to conduct investigation into
incidents of pollution.
(2) The State Government shall update the Central Government with such information or report of the
court, if so directed by such court concerned, on incidents of pollution that occurs within its jurisdiction.
CHAPTER X
WRECK AND SALVAGE
57. Prohibition against intentionally causing wreck.—The owner, operator, master or person in-
charge of a vessel plying in inland waters shall not intentionally abandon, desert, dump, throw overboard
or jettison the vessel or property or parts or cargo, so as to cause wreck.
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58. Receivers of wreck.—(1) The State Government may, by notification, appoint or authorise any
officer to act as receiver of wreck within the respective jurisdiction.
(2) The owner, operator, master or person in-charge of vessel, property or cargo, which is wrecked,
stranded or in distress or who has found any vessel, property or cargo wrecked, stranded or in distress in
the inland waters, shall immediately inform, by all means of communication to the receiver of wreck in
whose jurisdiction the vessel, property or cargo is found to be wrecked, stranded or in distress.
(3) The owner of the wreck, whose property or cargo, is wrecked or stranded or is in distress in the
inland waters shall inform the receiver of wreck in writing of the finding thereof and of the marks by
which such wreck can be distinguished, and in cases, where the wreck is in possession of any person other
than the owner, operator, master or person in-charge of vessel, property or cargo, such person shall
deliver such wreck to the receiver of wreck.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this Chapter, the word “person” shall have the meaning assigned to
it in clause (42) of section 3 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897).
59. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter X.—For the purposes of this
Chapter, the—
(a) powers and functions of the receiver of wreck;
(b) responsibilities and obligations of the owner, operator, master or person in-charge of vessel,
property or cargo with respect to the wreck;
(c) measures adopted for the removal of obstruction to navigation;
(d) disposal of wreck, including its sale and proceeds of unsold property;
(e) measures to be adopted for protection of wreck, fouling of government moorings;
(f) rights and duties of salvors and performance of salvage operations or resolution of disputes
pertaining to amount payable to salvors; and
(g) such other matter, which the Central Government may deem necessary for the efficient
administration and removal of wrecks,
shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
CHAPTER XI
LIABILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
60. Liability under Act.—(1) The owner, operator, master, a member of crew or an insurer shall be
liable for the offences and contraventions of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(2) Where any person is beneficially interested otherwise than by way of mortgage or in the share in
any mechanically propelled inland vessel registered in the name of some other person as owner, the
person so interested, and the registered owner, shall be liable to all the pecuniary penalties imposed by
this or any other Act on the owners of mechanically propelled inland vessels or shares therein.
61. Apportionment of loss.—(1) Whenever by the fault of two or more mechanically propelled
inland vessels, damage or loss is caused to one or more of them or to the cargo of one or more of them or
to any property on board one or more of them, the liability to make good the damage or loss shall be in
proportion to the degree in which each of such vessel was at fault:
Provided that—
(a) if, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is not possible to establish different
degrees of fault, the liability shall be apportioned equally;
(b) nothing in this section shall operate so as to render any vessel liable for any loss or damage to
which such vessel has not contributed;
(c) nothing in this section shall affect the liability of any person under any contract, or shall be
construed as imposing any liability upon any person from which he is exempted by any contract or by
25
the provisions of any law for the time being in force, or as affecting the right of any person to limit
his liability in the manner provided by such law.
(2) For the purposes of this Chapter, reference to damage or loss caused by the fault of a mechanically
propelled inland vessel shall be construed as including reference to any salvage or other expenses,
consequent upon that fault, recoverable under the provisions of any law for the time being in force by way
of damages.
(3) The person who has suffered damage or injured or his representative may apply to any court
having appropriate jurisdiction on the claim, for the detention or attachment of the vessel.
62. Liability for personal injury, loss of life or pollution to environment.—(1) Where, loss of life
or personal injuries is suffered, damage to property or pollution is caused by any person on any
mechanically propelled inland vessel or any other vessel, owing to the fault of that vessel and of any other
vessel or vessels, the liability of the owners of such vessels concerned shall be joint and several.
(2) No liability for any claim other than loss of life, personal injury or pollution, shall attach to the
owner, operator, master, or a member of crew or insurer under this Chapter, if he proves that the cause for
claim—
(a) was a result of an act of war, hostility, civil war, insurrection or a natural phenomenon of an
exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or
(b) was wholly caused by an act or omission with intent to cause such damage by any other
person; or
(c) was wholly caused by the negligence or other wrongful act of a State Government or other
authority responsible for the maintenance of lights or other navigational aids in exercise of its
functions in that behalf.
63. Detention of mechanically propelled inland vessel.—The State Government may appoint or
authorise any officer under this Chapter, for the purpose of detaining any mechanically propelled inland
vessel in connection with a claim, or an offence under this Chapter, and the procedure thereof shall be
such as may be prescribed by that Government.
64. Limitation of liability.— (1) The owner, operator, master or any person in-charge of a vessel or
member of crew of any mechanically propelled vessel may limit the extent of his liability for—
(a) claims in respect of loss of life or personal injury, or loss of, or damage to, property including
damage to jetties, wharfs, harbour basins and waterways and aids to navigation, occurring on board or
in direct connection with the operation of such vessels or with salvage operations, and consequential
loss resulting therefrom;
(b) claims arising out of loss resulting from delay in the carriage of cargo and passengers or their
luggage by inland waters;
(c) claims arising out of other loss resulting from infringement of rights other than contractual
rights, occurring in direct connection with the operation of such vessel or salvage operations;
(d) claims in respect of the raising, removal, destruction or rendering harmless of a vessel or the
cargo which is sunk, wrecked, stranded or abandoned;
(e) claims of a person, other than the person liable, in respect of measures taken by such person in
order to avert or minimise loss and for further loss caused by such measure;
(f) claims for the loss of life or personal injury to passengers of such vessel brought by or on
behalf of any person—
(i) under the contract of passenger carriage; or
(ii) who, with the consent of the carrier, is accompanying a vessel for live animals which
are covered by a contract for the carriage of goods, carried in such vessel.
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(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, no person shall be entitled to limit his liability
for—
(a) claims for salvage; or
(b) claims stipulated as exempted from the application of limitation of liability under any other
law for the time being in force in India.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the act of invoking limitation of liability shall
not be construed as constituting an admission of liability by any person who takes the defence.
(4) For the purposes of this Chapter, the liability of the owner or operator of a mechanically propelled
inland vessel shall include the liability in an action brought against such vessels.
(5) The limits of liability and the criteria in determining compensation for any claim as provided
under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(6) The person entitled to limit liability under sub-section (1) may apply to the High Court of
respective jurisdiction for constituting a limitation fund for the consolidated rate as provided for under
this Chapter.
(7) Where a vessel or other property is detained in connection with a claim, covered under this
Chapter, the High Court may order release of such vessel or other property, upon an application made by
the person, who is entitled to limit their liability and by—
(a) ensuring that such person, who is entitled to constitute the limitation fund has submitted his
availability in person to the jurisdiction of the High Court; or
(b) depositing sufficient fund or financial guarantee as determined by the High Court as security;
or
(c) constituting the limitation fund,
as the case may be.
65. Non-applicability of limitation.— No person shall be entitled to limit the liability against any
claim, if such claim has arisen due to intentional act or negligence of the person or his employee, who
otherwise would have been entitled to limit his liability under this Chapter.
CHAPTER XII
INSURANCE OF MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VESSELS PLYING IN INLAND WATERS
66. Insurance to cover.— No mechanically propelled vessel shall be used for voyage in inland
waters, unless there is in force—
(a) a policy of insurance which shall cover liability that may be incurred by the insured—
(i) in respect of the death of or bodily injury to any person or damage to any property caused
by or arising out of the use of the mechanically propelled vessel;
(ii) in respect of liability of operational pollution and accidental pollution of inland waters;
(b) a policy of insurance in compliance of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (6 of 1991), if
the mechanically propelled inland vessel is carrying or meant to carry, dangerous or hazardous goods;
(c) a policy of insurance covering the mechanically propelled vessel to—
(i) a value not less than the liability incurred; or
(ii) entitle it to be covered under limitation of liability as provided under this Act, a value not
less than the specified and applicable limitation amount:
Provided that any policy of insurance issued with a value not less than the limitation of liability in
force, immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall continue to be effective for a period
of twelve months after such commencement or till the date of expiry of such policy, whichever is
earlier.
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67. Contractual liability not to cover.— Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, a
policy shall not be required to cover any contractual liability of the insured that arises due to any
performance or non-performance of a contract or of agreement in the capacity of a service provider.
68. Issuance and terms of insurance policy.—(1) For the purposes of section 66, the policy of
insurance issued shall be a policy, which—
(a) is issued by an authorised insurer;
(b) insures the mechanically propelled inland vessel, any person or any classes of persons
specified in the policy to the extent specified in section 66; and
(c) is a certificate of insurance issued by the insurer to the insured in such form and content, and
subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The terms and conditions to be incorporated in the contract of insurance entered between insurer
and insured to cover the risks as provided in section 66 shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
69. Duty to indemnify and direct action against insurer.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained
in any law for the time being in force, an insurer issuing a policy of insurance under this section shall be
liable to indemnify the insured or any person, as specified in the policy in respect of any liability which
the policy purports to cover in the case of the insured or that person.
(2) Any claim for compensation against the loss or damage under this Act and covered by the
insurance may be brought directly against the insurer in respect of the liability incurred by the registered
owner.
70. Effect of death on certain causes of action.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section
306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 (39 of 1925), the death of a person in whose favour a certificate of
insurance had been issued, if it occurs after the happening of an event which has given rise to a claim
under the provisions of this Chapter, shall not be a bar to the survival of any cause of action arising out of
the said event against his estate or against the insurer.
71. Effect of certificate of insurance.—When an insurer has issued a certificate of insurance in
respect of a contract of insurance between the insurer and the insured person, then,—
(a) if and so long as the policy described in the certificate has not been issued by the insurer to the
insured, the insurer shall, as between himself and any other person except the insured, be deemed to
have issued to the insured person a policy of insurance conforming in all respects with the description
and particulars stated in such certificate; and
(b) if the insurer has issued to the insured the policy described in the certificate, but the actual
terms of the policy are less favourable to the person claiming under or by virtue of the policy against
the insurer either directly or through the insured than the particulars of the policy as stated in the
certificate, the policy shall, as between the insurer and any other person except the insured, be
deemed to be in terms conforming in all respects with the particulars stated in the said certificate.
72. Transfer of certificate of insurance.—Where a person in whose favour the certificate of
insurance has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter transfers to another person,
the ownership of the mechanically propelled vessel covered under this Chapter, in respect of which such
insurance was taken together with the policy of insurance relating thereto, the certificate of insurance and
the policy described in the certificate shall be deemed to have been transferred in favour of the person to
whom the mechanically propelled inland vessel is transferred with effect from the date of its transfer.
Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that such deemed transfer shall include
transfer of rights and liabilities covered under the said certificate of insurance and the policy of insurance.
73. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter XII.—The Central Government
shall, by rules made in this behalf, specify the terms, conditions and procedures to be complied with by
the insurers and insured including—
(a) cover note of insurance and its validity;
28
(b) rights and duties of the insured;
(c) procedures and processes involved in processing of claims;
(d) duties and obligations of the insurers to satisfy the judgments and awards;
(e) rights of claimants, liability of the insured and the insurers in special circumstances such as
the insured becomes insolvent and the procedures to be followed;
(f) procedures, processes and minimum terms of conditions for the settlement between the
insurers and insured persons;
(g) procedures to be followed in the transfer of certificate of insurance; and
(h) such other matters directly or indirectly related to insurance of mechanically propelled
vessels, for the purposes of effective implementation and administration of this Chapter.
CHAPTER XIII
INQUIRY INTO CASUALITY, ACCIDENT OR WRECK
74. Reporting of casualty, accident, wreck, etc.—(1) The State Government, may by notification,
appoint any designated authority for the purposes of this Chapter.
(2) The owner, operator or master of a mechanically propelled inland vessel, shall give information of
any wreck, abandonment, damage, casualty, accident, explosion or loss occurred to or on board such a
vessel while in the inland waters, to the officer in-charge of the nearest police station and to the
designated authority appointed under sub-section (1), in such form and manner as may be prescribed by
the State Government.
(3) The designated authority shall at once report the contents of the information referred to in
sub-section (2) to the District Magistrate.
(4) The officer in-charge of the police station shall, on receipt of information referred to in
sub-section (2), investigate into the matter and submit a report to the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter XII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
(5) The Judicial Magistrate may, on receiving the report referred to in sub-section (4), take action as
he may deem fit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XVI.
75. Preliminary enquiry by designated authority and inquiry by District Magistrate.— (1) The
designated authority may, in pursuance of the information referred to in sub-section (2) of section 74,
conduct a preliminary enquiry and submit a report thereof to the District Magistrate, who shall transmit
the same to the concerned State Government.
(2) The State Government may, on receipt of the report referred to in sub-section (1), if deemed
necessary, direct the District Magistrate to submit an additional report to it and send a copy thereof to the
Judicial Magistrate of the first class referred to in sub-section (4) of section 74 through the jurisdictional
police.
(3) The powers of the District Magistrate referred to in sub-section (2) and the procedures to be
followed by him in holding the inquiry for submission of additional report shall be such as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
76. Assessors.—(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, the State Government may appoint and
maintain a list of assessors, which may be revised from time to time.
(2) The State Government shall, by rules made in this behalf, specify the qualifications, criteria and
consideration, fees or charges for the assessors, who are conversant with the maritime affairs and have
29
experience in the merchant service or in the navigation of the mechanically propelled inland vessels and
willing to act as an assessor.
(3) The District Magistrate may, for the purposes of assisting in the inquiry under this Chapter,
appoint any number of assessors, from the list of assessors provided to him by the State Government.
(4) In every inquiry, other than the one specified in sub-section (3), the District Magistrate may, if he
thinks fit, appoint an assessor, for the purposes of such inquiry, any person.
(5) Every person appointed as an assessor under this section shall assist the District Magistrate in the
inquiry and deliver his opinion as may be sought for, which shall be recorded in the proceedings.
77. Report of District Magistrate to be notified by State Government.—(1) The District
Magistrate shall, in the case of every inquiry under this Chapter, make a full report of the conclusions at
which he has arrived, together with the evidence recorded and the written opinion of any assessor.
(2) The State Government shall, on receipt of the report referred to in sub-section (1) from the District
Magistrate, cause it to be published by notification in its Official Gazette.
78. Powers of District Magistrate subsequent to inquiry.— (1) The District Magistrate may, after
inquiry, recommend in his report for cancellation or suspension or confiscation of a certificate of
competency or a certificate of service granted to a master, crew or engineer by the State Government
under Chapter VI, if such District Magistrate finds that—
(a) the accident or casualty, including loss, stranding or abandonment of, or damage to, any
mechanically propelled inland vessel, or loss of life, has been caused by the wrongful act or default of
such master or engineer;
(b) such master or engineer is incompetent or has been guilty of any gross act of drunkenness,
tyranny or other misconduct, or in a case of collision, has failed to render such assistance or give such
information or notice as may be required under this Act.
(2) At the conclusion of the inquiry, or as soon thereafter as possible, the District Magistrate shall
state in open sitting, the decision arrived at by him with respect to the cancellation or suspension or
confiscation of any certificate of competency or a certificate of service and, if suspension is ordered, the
period for which the certificate is suspended.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of this section, the District Magistrate may also make such
order and require such security in respect of the costs of the matter as he may deem fit and necessary in
the circumstances of the case.
79. Power of State Government to suspend, cancel and confiscate certificate.—(1) The State
Government, in whose jurisdiction the certificate of competency or a certificate of service was granted
under Chapter VI, may cancel or suspend any such certificate or, in the event of the vessel being found in
the jurisdiction of another State Government, such State Government may confiscate the certificate, if,—
(a) on any inquiry made under this Chapter, the District Magistrate reports for cancellation or
suspension or confiscation of that certificate under section 78; or
(b) the holder of such certificate is proved to have been convicted of any non-bailable offence; or
(c) the holder of such certificate is proved to have deserted his vessel or has absented himself
without leave and without sufficient reason, from his vessel or from his duty; or
(d) in the case of a person holding any designation as provided by the certificate of competency
or certificate of service, is or has become, in the opinion of the State Government, unfit to act in such
designation, as the case may be.
30
(2) Every person whose certificate of competency or a certificate of service is suspended or cancelled
under this Chapter shall deliver it to such person as the State Government, which suspended or cancelled
it, may direct.
(3) If any State Government cancels, suspends or confiscates the certificate of competency or a
certificate of service granted under Chapter VI, the proceedings and the fact of confiscation and
recommendation for suspension or cancellation, shall be reported to the State Government which has
originally issued, granted or endorsed such certificates.
(4) The State Government may, at any time, revoke any order of suspension or cancellation or
confiscation which it may have made under this Chapter, or grant a certificate anew, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, to any person whose certificate it has so cancelled and such certificate granted anew,
shall have the same effect as a certificate of competency granted under this Act after examination.
CHAPTER XIV
REGULATION OF TRADE PRACTICES
80. Powers of Central Government to protect interests of service providers and service users.—
The Central Government may, prescribe the minimum standards, terms and conditions to protect the
interests of service providers and service users and to ensure safety of such persons.
81. Prohibited goods and dangerous goods.—The Central Government shall, by notification,
declare the list of dangerous goods that may be carried subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed
by it, and prohibited goods that are prohibited from being carried on any class or category of
mechanically propelled inland vessels, while plying in the inland waters.
82. Trade permission and endorsement of certificates of foreign vessels.—(1) No vessel registered
in any country other than India shall be permitted to be used or employed for the purposes of, carriage of
goods, transportation of passengers, storage units, accommodation, floating units or for such other
purposes within the inland waters, unless such vessel has secured prior permission from the Central
Government for its use or employment for such purposes and subject to such terms and conditions as may
be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that, where the Central Government has entered or in the event of that Government entering
into bilateral or multilateral treaties pertaining to the inland navigation, whereby the permission is
provided to the vessels belonging to foreign countries to ply within inland waters of India, the Central
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, shall impose or apply such vessels belonging to
the foreign countries, with the same conditions to the service providers in India.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), any certificate granted by any other foreign country in
accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in force in that country corresponding to the
provisions as provided in Chapters IV, V and VI under this Act may, on payment of such fees as may be
prescribed by the Central Government, for the grant of a similar certificate or licence under this Act, be
endorsed by—
(a) any State Government in India; or
(b) with the general or special sanction and subject to such other terms and conditions of such
State Government, by any authority competent to grant a similar certificate under this Act.
(3) Upon endorsement of any such certificate as provided in sub-section (2), it shall have effect for
such period and to such extent as may be prescribed by the Central Government and shall be treated as if
it had been granted under this Act.
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CHAPTER XV
PILOTAGE, VESSEL DETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
83. Pilotage.— (1) The Central Government may, by notification, specify the requirement of pilotage
in whole or part of inland waterways declared as national waterways.
(2) The State Government may, by notification, specify the requirement of pilotage in whole or part
or any stretch of designated inland waterways or such passages that lie within the respective territory of
such State Governments and in respect of which the Central Government has not specified under
sub-section (1).
84. Certified master to be deemed pilot under Act 15 of 1908.— Subject to the provisions of
section 83, every master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel, who possesses a master's certificate
granted under this Act and in force, shall, in ports to which section 31 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 has
been extended, be deemed, for the purposes of that section, to be the pilot of the mechanically propelled
inland vessel of which he is in-charge.
85. Vessel detention and forfeiture.—(1) The State Government or any officer authorised under this
Act may, detain, forfeit or remove from the inland waters, any mechanically propelled inland vessel,
which is required to be registered under the provisions of this Act, if found—
(a) plying or being used in inland waters without a valid certificate of registration;
(b) plying without a valid certificate of survey;
(c) plying with passengers beyond the permitted carrying capacity;
(d) to have not affixed the registration number assigned to such vessels as provided under this
Act;
(e) not complying with the manning requirements under Chapter VI;
(f) not complying with the provisions of Chapter VIII;
(g) to act in contravention to the provisions of Chapter X;
(h) not in compliance with the provisions of Chapter XII;
(i) to carry dangerous goods or prohibited goods in contravention to the provisions of section 81
or the rules made thereunder.
(2) The owner, operator or any such person recognised as responsible for the vessel under detention,
shall pay the respective and applicable fees and charges for the safe custody and maintenance of the
detained or forfeited vessel, which shall be pre-condition for release of the vessel and which if unpaid,
shall create a lien over such vessel to comply with the provisions of this Act.
(3) Upon compliance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, and after
rectifying the mistakes that lead to detention, the State Government shall, without any unreasonable
delay, release the vessel and her custody to the owner, operator or any such person recognised as
responsible for the vessel under this Act.
(4) Unless specifically provided elsewhere in this Act, the procedures for detention, formality, fees
and conditions to be followed and observed by the concerned officer or authority or court, appointed or
authorised or constituted under this Act, for the purpose of detaining a vessel, shall be such as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
(5) An officer so authorised to enter any vessel may, for the purpose of enforcing the order of
detention or forfeiture, call to his aid, any police officer or any other person authorised under this Act or
such other laws in force in India.
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86. Constitution of Development Fund.—(1) There shall be a Fund constituted by the State
Government to be called the Development Fund, to be utilised for—
(a) meeting emergency preparedness;
(b) meeting containment of pollution caused by discharge of oil, mixtures, obnoxious substances,
chemicals and other noxious and harmful substances, to preserve and protect inland waters;
(c) supporting, part or whole of expenses of owners or economically backward sector involved in
activities of trade and living depending solely on inland waters;
(d) removal of unidentified wreck or obstruction affecting and impeding navigation; and
(e) boosting up development works of inland water navigation with respect to safety and
convenience of conveyance.
(2) For the purposes of constitution of the Development Fund under sub-section (1), endeavour shall
be made to design schemes of contribution from—
(a) the State Government;
(b) stake holders;
(c) the amount collected from sale of wreck or cargo or remains thereof after deducting the
expenses incurred;
(d) excess fund out of judicial sale of vessels or any property or cargo after meeting the expenses
incurred or set-off against the court to meet damages or functioning of the court or administrative
machinery; and
(e) part or proportionate disbursement of fees collected by the respective State Government as
provided in this Chapter.
CHAPTER XVI
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
87. Offences and penalties.—(1) Whoever, contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, shall be
punishable with penalty as mentioned in the third column of the Table provided in sub-section (2).
(2) The classification of offences for contravention of the provisions of this Act and the
corresponding penalties therefor shall be as provided in the following Table, namely:—
Section Offence Penalty
(1) (2) (3)
8 Any owner, operator or construction yard,
found guilty of construction, alteration or
modification of mechanically propelled inland
vessel in contravention of section 8.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for every non-compliance found.
14 (1) Owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel, using
such vessel, without a valid certificate of
survey has acted in contravention of
sub-section (1) of section 14.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and twenty-
five thousand rupees for subsequent
offences.
33
Section Offence Penalty
(1) (2) (3)
18 (1) Owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel
proceeding on any voyage or use a
mechanically propelled inland vessel required
to be registered, for any service, without a
valid certificate of registration and in
contravention of sub-section (1) of section 18.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and fifty
thousand rupees for subsequent offences.
19 (1) Owner or master who does not carry a valid
certificate of registration or not making the
same available for inspection, has acted in
contravention of sub-section (1) of section 19.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for every non-compliance found.
24 (3) Owner not displaying the official number on
the conspicuous part of a vessel has acted in
contravention of sub-section (3) of section 24.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees.
27 Owner, operator or any person responsible for
the operation of the vessel, has acted in
contravention of section 27.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and twenty-
five thousand rupees for subsequent
offences.
28 (2) Owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel not
registering the details of alterations that are
mandated to be registered as specified in sub-
section (2) of section 28.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and twenty-
five thousand rupees for subsequent
offences.
29 Owner or operator of any mechanically
propelled inland vessel, who does not comply
with the requirements or has acted in
contravention of section 29.
Fine which may extend to five hundred
rupees for every day of non-compliance.
30 Owner of any mechanically propelled inland
vessel, has acted in contravention of
section 30.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees per day or imprisonment which
may extend to one year, or with both.
32 (1) Owner of any mechanically propelled inland
vessel, has acted in contravention of sub-
section (1) of section 32.
Fine which may extend to five thousand
rupees for every day of non-compliance.
34 (2) Owner or operator on whose vessel, persons
under the age of eighteen years are employed,
has acted in contravention of sub-section (2)
of section 34.
Fine which may extend to five thousand
rupees for every day of non-compliance
or imprisonment not exceeding six
months, or with both.
35 Owner or operator of any mechanically
propelled inland vessel without complying
with the specified minimum manning scale
has acted in contravention to section 35.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and twenty-
five thousand rupees for subsequent
offences.
40 (1) and
(4)
The holders of certificate of competency, has
acted in contravention to the provisions of this
Act or not surrendered the suspended,
cancelled or varied certificate issued under
non-submission of suspended or cancelled
certificates.
Fine up to five thousand rupees per day
or imprisonment extending up to six
months, or with both.
34
Section Offence Penalty
(1) (2) (3)
44 Owner or operator or any person responsible
for the operation of special category vessel,
which does not comply with the provisions of
Chapter VII.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for every day of non-compliance
or imprisonment extending up to six
months, or with both.
47 Owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled vessel registered,
recognised or identified under this Act, for not
equipping the vessels or exhibiting the lights
and signals specified under Chapter VIII.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for the first offence and twenty-
five thousand rupees for subsequent
offences.
48 Owner, operator or master not ensuring safe
navigation or causing damage due to non-
observance of regulations.
Fine which may extend to twenty-five
thousand rupees.
49 and
50 (1)
Owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled vessel plying in inland
waters abstaining from proceeding to render
assistance after answering to the distress
signal.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees.
51 (2) The owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel
proceeding to conduct any voyage without
complying with the requirements of
navigation aids, life-saving appliances, fire
detection and extinguishing appliances and
communication appliances as specified under
sub-section (2) of section 51.
Fine which may extend up to fifty
thousand rupees.
52 (2) and
(3)
The owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled vessel causing
pollution by discharging or dumping of
pollutants in inland waters.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees.
53 (4) The owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled vessel, who are
required under this Act to possess a valid
prevention of pollution certificate, plying or
using the vessel without the said valid
certificate.
Fine which may extend to twenty-five
thousand rupees.
54 (2) and
(5)
The owner or operator of any reception
facility who does not comply with the
standards and obligations stipulated.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees.
55 (4) The owner or operator of the terminal who
operates without complying with the notice
issued under sub-section (4) of section 55.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees per day of non-compliance
beyond period of notice.
57 Any owner, operator or any person who
intentionally cause wreck within inland
waters.
Fine amounting to fifty thousand rupees
and imprisonment which may extend to
three years.
58 (2) Any person who is guilty of offence
committed by contravention of sub-section (2)
of section 58.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees.
35
Section Offence Penalty
(1) (2) (3)
66 Any owner or master plying any mechanically
propelled inland vessel without a valid
insurance as provided under section 66.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees and detention of the vessel till
certificate of insurance is procured.
74 (2) The owner, operator or master of any
mechanically propelled inland vessel not
complying with sub-section (2) of section 74.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees.
79 (2) Any person who holds a certificate issued
under Chapter VI and fails to surrender
suspended or cancelled certificates.
Fine which may extend to ten thousand
rupees for every day of non-submission.
80 Any person, in the capacity of a service
provider or a service user, who acts in
contravention of section 80.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees.
82 Master or operator of any foreign vessels
acting in contravention of sub-section (1) of
section 82.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees or imprisonment which may
extend to one year, or with both.
83 Owner, operator or master of mechanically
propelled inland vessel, who does not comply
with the requirement of pilotage in
contravention of section 83.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees or imprisonment which may
extend to three years, or with both.
97 Any person employed on inland vessel for
neglect or refusal to join or desertion of vessel
in violation of his obligation as provided
under section 97.
Forfeiture of a sum not exceeding two
days' pay, and in addition for every
twenty-four hours of absence, either a
sum not exceeding six days' pay or any
expenses properly incurred in hiring a
substitute, from his wages and also to
imprisonment which may extend to two
months.
102 Any person found guilty of causing
obstruction or has acted in contravention of
section 102.
Fine which may extend to fifty thousand
rupees or imprisonment which may
extend to three years, or with both.
(3) Any person who acts in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder,
but for which an offence is not specifically provided in this Act, shall be punishable with fine not
exceeding three lakh rupees or with imprisonment up to a term which may extend to three years, or with
both.
(4) Where the owner or master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel is convicted of an offence
under this Act or any rule made thereunder, committed on board, or in relation to that mechanically
propelled vessel, and is sentenced to pay a fine, the Magistrate who passes the sentence may direct the
amount of the fine to be levied by distress and sale of the mechanically propelled vessel, or its
appurtenance so much thereof as is necessary.
(5) Where an inland vessel has been used in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules
made thereunder, the details of the offence, the offender and the vessel shall be recorded in such form and
manner, as may be specified by the Central Government by notification.
(6) The State Government shall appoint courts not inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first class, for
the purpose of conducting trial of any person who is charged of any offence as provided under this Act or
the rules made thereunder.
88. Offences by company, limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement.—(1)
Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company or a limited liability partnership firm
36
or any such arrangement, every person who, at the time the offence was committed was in-charge of, and
was responsible to the company or the limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement, for the
conduct of the business, and the company or the limited liability partnership firm or any such
arrangement, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and
punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any
punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all
due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company or a limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement and it is proved
that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on
the part of, any director, manager, secretary or partner or other officer of the company or the limited
liability partnership firm or any such arrangement, as the case may be, such director, manager, secretary
or partner or other officer, as the case may be; shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall
be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
89. Fees, additional fee, payment and collection.—(1) Unless otherwise specified, the State
Government shall collect, the fees and additional fees for the services provided under this Act and any
other charges or payment made to it against payments towards penalties, at such rates and intervals, as
may be prescribed by the State Government.
(2) The State Government shall appoint or authorise such officers, or constitute such offices within its
jurisdictions, by notification, to act as single point collection offices within the districts or ports,
considering proximity and convenience of remittance.
(3) The procedures, forms and format of receipts, maintenance of accounts and any other matter that
is necessary for the purpose of the remittance, collection, accounts and accountability of collected fees,
additional fees, charges or payment against penalties of pecuniary nature shall be such as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
(4) The owner, operators or their representatives, as the case may be, shall remit the fees or additional
fees in such manner and at such rates as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(5) All fees payable under this Act may be recovered as fine under this Act.
90. Cognizance of offence.— No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act, except
on a complaint in writing made by the Central Government or any officer authorised by the State
Government, as the case may be, for this purpose.
CHAPTER XVII
NON-MECHANICALLY PROPELLED INLAND VESSEL
91. Local self-governance.— (1) The State Government may authorise any of its department (herein
in this Chapter referred to as the authorised department) to administer and implement the provisions of
this Chapter.
(2) The office of the authorised department shall be located at such places which are accessible to
owners, operators of non-mechanically propelled inland vessel and service users of such vessels.
(3) The offices of the authorised department shall in the order of hierarchy of power, be at district,
taluk and panchayat or village level, or any other hierarchy as may be prescribed by the State
Government, and shall exercise the powers and functions as may be prescribed by that Government,
which shall include the powers and functions to—
(a) enrol the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel under this Chapter;
(b) collate data with regard to the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel enrolled under this
Act and report it to the higher authority in the hierarchy of power;
37
(c) administer the welfare fund constituted under this Chapter in accordance with such authority
and obligation;
(d) advise and conduct awareness programmes for assisting the owners, operators or service users
of non-mechanically propelled inland vessel enrolled under this Act; and
(e) perform such other functions as may be assigned under this Act or the rules made thereunder.
92. Obligation to enroll.—(1) The owner or operator may enrol, by submitting the details of the
ownership of non-mechanically propelled inland vessel, undertaking that the vessel is put into motion by
solely employing human labour and such other details as may be prescribed by the State Government, at
the office of the authorised department, which is located nearest to the place of residence of the owner or
area of plying of the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel, in such form and manner as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
(2) The form prescribed by the State Government under sub-section (1) shall be published in the
respective vernacular language, apart from Hindi or English, as the case may be.
(3) For the purposes of identification and categorisation of non-mechanically propelled inland vessels,
to be enrolled in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), the State Government shall publish
such criteria for categorisation which may include the size, purpose of employment, age, construction,
design or such other criteria of the vessels.
(4) The enrolment of non-mechanically propelled inland vessels shall be a prerequisite for such
vessels to be entitled for the benefits and preferential treatment accorded under this Chapter.
(5) The details of the enrolled vessels shall be recorded in the registry of enrolment and be reported
by the offices of lowest order in the hierarchy of power to the highest hierarchy and the collated list of
enrolled vessels shall be maintained by the office of District Magistrate or such officer appointed or
authorised under this Chapter, for the said purpose.
(6) The State Government shall maintain a central data base to record the details of the non-
mechanically propelled inland vessel enrolled within the respective jurisdiction, in such form and manner
as may be prescribed by it.
(7) The lowest ranking officer of the office of the authorised department shall report of any change to
the registry of enrolment maintained by him and bring to the notice of the authority higher in the
hierarchical order, and the changes shall be brought out accordingly, in every such register maintained by
the respective authorities including the central data base maintained by the Principal Secretary or
Secretary of the State Government.
93. Certificate of enrolment and marking of vessel.— (1) The officer of the authorised department
appointed or authorised to maintain the registry under this Chapter, shall issue a certificate of enrolment
to the non-mechanically propelled inland vessels that have enrolled in the registry of enrolment.
(2) The certificate of enrolment shall be issued, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the
respective State Government, and details to be specified in such certificate shall include—
(a) name, permanent address as given in the Unique Identification Document issued by Unique
Identification Authority of India, electoral identification document or such other document of the
owner, as may be prescribed by the State Government;
(b) details such as year of construction, laying of keel or such other information;
(c) details of design, if identified or categorised under this Chapter;
(d) details of officer issuing or granting the certificate; and
(e) number given to the vessels enrolled by the issuing authority.
(3) The authorised department in every State shall issue a number to the non-mechanically propelled
inland vessel enrolled within the respective jurisdiction, which shall be unique for the purpose of
identification of enrolment with the authorised department of the respective State.
38
(4) The number so issued under sub-section (3) shall be exhibited on a conspicuous part of the non-
mechanically propelled inland vessel in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the respective
State Government.
94. Standards of construction and safety.—(1) The basic minimum standards that may be
reasonably observed during the construction of any non-mechanically propelled inland vessel, shall be
such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government shall specify, the
standards of construction, which any class or category of non-mechanically propelled inland vessel shall
comply with, in such manner as may be prescribed by it:
Provided that the standards prescribed by the State Government shall be in harmony with the
traditional knowledge and practices passed on as customary or ancestral means that are applied by skilled
and talented persons involved in the designing and construction of non-mechanically propelled inland
vessel.
(3) The State Government may specify the minimum safety gears and equipment by notification in
the Official Gazette with which the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel shall be equipped with for
the purpose of ensuring safety of such vessels.
(4) The State Government may provide for standards of overhauling, modifying, altering or refitting
the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel for the purpose of ensuring safe navigation.
(5) The non-mechanically propelled inland vessels enrolled under this Act, shall comply with the
safety standards as stipulated under this Chapter or the rules made in this regard.
(6) For the purposes of ensuring safe navigation of non-mechanically propelled inland vessels, the
State Government may, by notification, specify the routes, areas or stretch of inland waters that are
prohibited from being used or subject to such terms and conditions, for the navigation of non-
mechanically propelled inland vessel.
95. Power of State Government to make rules to regulate non-mechanically propelled inland
vessels.— (1) The State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, specify the measures to regulate
non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the State Government may make rules for the following,
namely:—
(a) for prevention and minimising pollution caused by the non-mechanically propelled inland
vessels;
(b) for removal of obstructions to safe navigation;
(c) measures that may be adopted to avert accidents and casualty; and
(d) any other measure which the State Government may deem fit in implementing the provisions
of this Chapter.
96. Constitution of welfare fund.— (1) Every State Government shall, by notification, constitute a
welfare fund at district level, for allocation of such fund to assist the non-mechanically propelled inland
vessels enrolled under this Chapter.
(2) Any officer appointed or authorised under this Chapter to be in-charge of the fund for the non-
mechanically propelled inland vessel shall, with the previous approval in writing of the respective State
Government or such other authority appointed for the said purpose, utilise the fund to—
(a) create awareness and conduct knowledge dissemination sessions for educating the owner,
operator and service user on improvements required for safe navigation;
(b) provide equipment and devices of safety and navigation at a subsidised rate;
(c) provide support or relief during casualties, accidents or such emergencies; and
(d) for such other purposes as it may deem fit.
39
CHAPTER XVIII
MISCELLANEOUS
97. Desertion and absence without leave.— No person employed or engaged in any capacity on
board a mechanically propelled vessel shall—
(a) neglect or refuse, without reasonable cause, to join his mechanically propelled vessel or to
proceed on any voyage in his vessel;
(b) cause to be absent from his vessel or from his duty at any time without leave and without
sufficient cause;
(c) desert from his mechanically propelled vessel;
(d) fail to act or behave with discipline befitting his duty and mandate.
98. General powers of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may
make rules for—
(a) implementation of standards for the use of special category of vessels within inland
waterways;
(b) providing the requirements and standards of—
(i) river information services;
(ii) vessel traffic and transport management, safety and information services;
(iii) vessel tracing and tracking information;
(iv) to tackle calamities and furtherance of emergency preparedness;
(v) to quarantine the vessels and to adopt such other measures to effectively control any
epidemic or disease of contagious nature;
(c) enforcing standards to avoid and tackle pollution arising in inland waterways;
(d) exemption, inclusion or extension of the application of any or all the provisions of this Act to
any vessel registered, recognised or identified and intended to ply, or plying in the inland waters;
(e) any other matter as it may deem fit and necessary in the proper implementation of this Act for
the purposes of ensuring safe navigation, safety of life and prevention of pollution caused by inland
vessel.
(2) For the purposes of administration of the notifications mentioned in sub-section (1), the Central
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, shall authorise or appoint officers by
notification.
99. Emergency preparedness.— (1) Every State Government may, appoint or authorise the advisory
committee or officers, by notification, to take adequate measures, as may be prescribed by the State
Government, to minimise or counter emergency.
(2) The owner, operator, master, crew or any other person connected with inland vessel plying in
inland waters shall upon finding or apprehending a situation of crisis, which could adversely affect or is
adversely affecting the safety of navigation, safety of human life or preservation of inland waters, inform
or report the advisory committee or such other officers, appointed under sub-section (1) having respective
jurisdiction or jurisdictions over such crisis that is found or is anticipated to affect adversely.
(3) The advisory committee or officers, who are appointed or authorised under sub-section (1), on
receipt of information under sub-section (2), or as directed by the Central Government or the State
Government or on their own initiative, may record the crisis as emergency and, shall adopt such measures
as prescribed under sub-section (1), and such other measures which are feasible and in best of the
judgment necessary to minimise or counter such emergency.
40
(4) The advisory committee or officers, appointed or authorised under sub-section (1) may request the
navy, coast guard, any other emergency force, or any inland vessel available for such assistance as
necessary.
(5) No mechanically propelled inland vessel directed or acting voluntarily in rendering assistance as
mentioned in sub-section (4) shall be bound by the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(6) Any mechanically propelled inland vessel acting voluntarily, for the purpose of saving life or
vessel or providing basic amenities, shall report to the advisory committee or officers appointed or
authorised under sub-section (1) regarding the presence and reasons for the acts in writing, at the earliest
possible.
(7) The advisory committee or officers appointed or authorised under sub-section (1) shall disburse
all basic amenities necessary and essential as it may deem fit, to the persons or vessels affected by such
emergency.
(8) The advisory committee or officers appointed or authorised under sub-section (1) shall report to
the Central Government or the State Government, the complete description of the events, consequences
and such measures adopted under sub-section (3) and the effectiveness of such measures in countering the
emergency.
100. Removal of lawful obstruction.— (1) If any obstruction or impediment to the navigation of any
inland water has been lawfully made or has become lawful by reason of the long continuance of such
obstruction or impediment or otherwise, the authorised officer shall report the same for the information of
the State Government and shall, with the sanction of the State Government, cause the same to be removed
or altered, making reasonable compensation to the person suffering damage by such removal or alteration.
(2) Any dispute arising out of or concerning such compensation shall be determined according to the
provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act, 2013 (30 of 2013).
101. Validity of certificates issued under laws other than this Act.— (1) Every certificate issued in
respect of any person or vessel, under any other enactment in force in India, by the Central Government,
shall be valid and effective as a certificate issued under this Act and the relevant provisions of this Act
shall apply in relation to such persons or vessel as they apply to, any person who has been issued with a
certificate under Chapter VI or any mechanically propelled inland vessel registered, recognised or
identified under this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the State Government may impose additional
conditions and requirements for the purpose of recognition of certificates as provided under
sub-section (1).
102. Obstruction to officer appointed or authorised.— No person shall wilfully cause obstruction
or attempt to obstruct any authority or officer appointed under this Act in exercise of the respective
functions and powers conferred upon such authority or officer, or in the discharge of any duty imposed by
or under this Act; by abstinence, failure to facilitate inspection, or restraining or physically objecting the
entry or movement or non-production of books or records as and when demanded by such authority or
authorised officers.
103. Place of trial.— Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made
thereunder, shall be triable for the offence in any place where he may be found or at the place of
occurrence or at the place in the State where the offence has been committed or a place which the Central
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, by notification, specify in this behalf, or any
other place in which he might be tried under any other enactment for the time being in force.
104. Composition of offences.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence punishable under this Act, not being an offence punishable with
imprisonment only, or with imprisonment and also with fine, may, on an application of the accused
person, either before or after the institution of any prosecution, be compounded by competent authority or
41
in the event of the matter being referred to the court of competent jurisdiction, such offence may be
compounded by the competent authority with the permission of such court.
(2) The competent authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall exercise the powers to compound an
offence, subject to the direction, control and supervision of the appropriate Government.
(3) Every application for the compounding of an offence shall be made in such manner as may be
prescribed.
(4) Where any offence is compounded before the institution of any prosecution, no prosecution shall
be instituted in relation to such offence, against the offender in relation to whom the offence is so
compounded.
(5) Where the composition of any offence is made after the institution of any prosecution, such
composition shall be brought by the competent authority referred to in sub-section (1) in writing, to the
notice of the court in which the prosecution is pending and on such notice of the composition of the
offence being given, the person against whom the offence is so compounded shall be discharged.
(6) Any person who fails to comply with an order made by the competent authority referred to in sub-
section (1), shall be liable to pay a sum equivalent to twenty per cent. of the maximum fine provided for
the offence, in addition to such fine.
(7) No offence punishable under the provisions of this Act shall be compounded except under and in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
105. Appeal.— (1) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, any person aggrieved by an order made by
the officers or authorities under this Act, may appeal to the State Government against refusal, suspension,
cancellation, detention, removal or such other order, issued under this Act, within thirty days from the
date of receipt of such order.
(2) The State Government shall cause notice of every such appeal to be given to concerned officers or
authorities whose order is made the subject matter of the appeal, and after giving an opportunity to the
appellant; shall pass appropriate order by recording reasons thereof, which shall be final.
106. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) For the purposes of effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act, the Central Government shall, subject to the condition of
previous publication, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(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 centralised record to be maintained in e-portal, for recording the data and details of vessel,
vessel registration, crew, manning, certificates issued, reception facilities and such other data to be
recorded under clause (f) of section 3;
(b) the requirements for compliance to be specified in a cover note for the purpose of issuance of
certificate of insurance under clause (g) of section 3;
(c) the procedure to be laid down and rates to be specified so as to calculate the rate of extent of
liability within which the owner or such other persons entitled under this Act, may limit the liability
or be permitted to limit or cap the liability arising out of claims under clause (t) of section 3;
(d) the standard and number of persons required for safe manning and navigation of vessels under
clause (z) of section 3;
(e) the classification, criteria for such classification and standards of design, construction, fitness
and crew accommodation to classify or categorise any mechanically propelled inland vessel under
sub-section (1) of section 7;
(f) the manner of carrying out construction and any alteration or modification of mechanically
propelled inland vessels with the prior approval of design from the designated authority under
section 8;
42
(g) the standards for type and periodicity of surveys for all mechanically propelled inland vessels,
which are newly constructed and already in service under sub-section (1) and the form and content of
request for survey to be submitted by the applicant under sub-section (2) of section 9;
(h) the minimum criteria and qualifications for the appointment of surveyors, which the State
Governments shall adopt in the appointment of surveyors under section 10;
(i) the form of application for conducting survey to be submitted by owners, masters or
construction yard under sub-section (1) of section 11;
(j) the form and contents of the declaration of survey of a mechanically propelled inland vessel
and the time period for which such certificate shall be valid, under sub-section (1) of section 12;
(k) the form of the certificate of survey including any particulars or terms and conditions under
sub-section (3) of section 12;
(l) the form of provisional certificate of survey and the period of validity provided under
sub-section (1) of section 13;
(m) the terms and conditions to be complied with for permitting any mechanically propelled
vessels registered under such laws of countries other than India; which shall only be permitted to ply
within the inland waters under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 18;
(n) the form, contents or particulars of the book of registry as provided under sub-section (1) of
section 21;
(o) the form and manner for maintenance of central data base for inland vessels by the officers
appointed by the Central Government under section 22;
(p) the functions to be performed by the officers appointed by the Central Government under
section 22;
(q) the form and manner of making application for registration of a mechanically propelled inland
vessel and the particulars along with which such application is to be made under sub-section (1) of
section 23;
(r) the list of documents to be submitted or adduced by the applicants for registration under
sub-section (2) of section 23;
(s) the form and content of certificate of registration under sub-section (2) of section 24;
(t) the form of application, fee and the manner of issuance of provisional certificate of registration
under sub-section (2) of section 27;
(u) the procedures to be complied with by the owner of any mechanically propelled inland vessel
who ceases to be the owner or applies for the requirement of transfer of registry or any such
circumstances leading to change of the registered address under sub-section (2) of section 29;
(v) the procedures for validating the transfer of mechanically propelled inland vessel from India
to outside India under section 30;
(w) the time within which the owner of the mechanically propelled inland vessel shall report to
the Registrar of Inland Vessels of the place where such vessel is registered, if that vessel is declared
missing, destroyed, lost, abandoned or has been rendered permanently unfit for service or destined for
scrapping or dismantling or sold abroad;
(x) the form of instrument creating the security for a mortgage for a loan or other valuable
consideration under sub-section (1) of section 33;
(y) the manner and conditions governing mortgage and its procedures under sub-section (2) of
section 33;
(z) the standards for qualification, training, training institute, examination and grant of
competency certificates under sub-section (1) of section 34;
43
(za) the minimum manning scale applicable to different class or category of mechanically
propelled inland vessels, categorised under this Act or such other laws for the time being in force in
India, under section 35;
(zb) the criteria and qualifications for appointment of examiners under sub-section (1) of
section 36;
(zc) the form, contents and particulars of certificate of competency specified under
sub-section (3) of section 37;
(zd) the period of validity of certificate of service issued under sub-section (1) of section 38;
(ze) the form of certificate of service and the conditions subject to which such certificate is issued
under sub-section (4) of section 38;
(zf) the conditions subject to which the certificate of competency shall be valid throughout India
under section 39;
(zg) the intervals and manner in which the State Government shall report and update the Central
Government with the information on data and details of certificates issued, granted, cancelled or
suspended or such other remarks, made by the respective authority under sub-section (2) of
section 41;
(zh) the criteria and standards to identify any class or category of mechanically propelled inland
vessels as special category vessels based on their design, construction, use, purpose, area of plying,
source of energy or fuelling or any other criteria under sub-section (1) of section 42;
(zi) the requirements of construction, design, survey, registration, manning, qualification,
competency, or the requirements in addition to those contained elsewhere in this Act under
sub-section (2) of section 42;
(zj) the specifications and requirements of signals and equipment based on classification and
categorisation of mechanically propelled vessels, to be complied with by such vessels under
sub-section (1) of section 47;
(zk) the fog and distress signals to be carried and used, the steering and sailing rules to be
complied with and the different protocols for exhibition and display of different standards of lights,
shapes and signals, by any mechanically propelled vessel plying in inland waters under
sub-section (2) of section 47;
(zl) the class or category of mechanically propelled inland vessels to be equipped with navigation
aids, life saving appliances, fire detection and extinguishing appliances and communication
appliances under sub-section (1) of section 51;
(zm) the standards to be followed by the owner or master of any mechanically propelled inland
vessel and the manner for discharge or dispose of sewage and garbage under sub-section (2) of
section 52;
(zn) the standards of construction and equipment of the mechanically propelled inland vessels to
ensure compliance with the requirements of the provisions of Chapter IX under sub-section (1) of
section 53;
(zo) the form, validity and content of prevention of pollution certificate under sub-section (3) of
section 53;
(zp) the conditions for construction, use and maintenance of reception facilities for the
containment of pollution and removal of pollutants arising from spillage or discharge arising from
mechanically propelled inland vessels at all cargo terminals or passenger terminals under
sub-section (1) of section 54;
(zq) the purposes for Chapter X as specified in clauses (a) to (g) of section 59;
(zr) the limits of liability and the criteria in determining compensation for any claim specified in
sub-section (5) of section 64;
44
(zs) the form, content, and the conditions subject to which a certificate of insurance is issued by
the insurer to the insured under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 68;
(zt) the terms and conditions to be incorporated in the contract of insurance entered between
insurer and insured to cover the risks, as provided in section 66, under sub-section (2) of section 68;
(zu) the terms, conditions and procedures to be complied with by insurers and insured including
those specified in clauses (a) to (h) therein, under section 73;
(zv) minimum standards, terms and conditions to protect the interests and to ensure safety of
service providers and service users under section 80;
(zw) the conditions for carrying the list of dangerous goods under section 81;
(zx) the terms and conditions subject to which permission of the Central Government is granted
for use or employment of a vessel, registered in any country other than India, for the purposes of,
carriage of goods, transportation of passengers, storage units, accommodation, floating units or for
such other purposes within the inland waters under sub-section (1) of section 82;
(zy) the fees for grant of a certificate or licence under this Act similar to any certificate granted by
any other foreign country in accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in force in
that country under sub-section (2) of section 82;
(zz) the period and extent of validity of certificate granted under sub-section (2) of section 82, as
specified in sub-section (3) of the said section;
(zza) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed under the provisions of this
Act for the purpose of implementation and administration of such provisions.
107. Power of State Government to make rules.— (1) The State Government may, after previous
publication, make rules for the provisions specified to be administered by it under this Act or as delegated
to it by the Central Government for the purposes of effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
(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 requirements for the appointment of qualified persons as pilots under clause (zk) of
section 3;
(b) the fee for issuance of certificate of survey under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(c) the manner and conditions subject to which any mechanically propelled inland vessel, which
has been issued with a provisional certificate of survey or endorsement may proceed on voyage or use
in service, temporarily, pending the issue of certificate of survey under sub-section (2) of section 13;
(d) the manner of issue the notice of suspension of certificate of survey to the owner, operator,
master, or construction yard under sub-section (2) of section 15;
(e) the functions to be performed by the Registrar of Inland Vessels in respect to the port or place
of registry for which he is appointed under sub-section (2) of section 20;
(f) the manner and period in which the Registrar of Inland Vessels shall report the details of the
book of registry or entries made therein, to the State Government at regular intervals, under
sub-section (2) of section 21;
(g) the fee for granting the certificate of registration to the applicant under sub-section (1) of
section 24;
(h) other particulars to be contained in the certificate of registration under clause (e) of
sub-section (2) of section 24;
(i) the conspicuous part of the vessel where the owner shall display the official number under
sub-section (3) of section 24;
45
(j) the form and manner in which the registered owner shall apply for a duplicate certificate to the
Registrar of Inland Vessels under sub-section (1) of section 26;
(k) the fees or additional fees for applying for a duplicate certificate to the Registrar of Inland
Vessels under sub-section (2) of section 26;
(l) the form, manner and period within which the owner, operator or master of the mechanically
propelled inland vessel shall make an application, for entry of alterations or modifications made, in
the certificate of registration, under sub-section (1) of section 28;
(m) the fee for applying to the Registrar of Inland Vessels for registration of alterations under
sub-section (2) of section 28;
(n) the conditions to be complied with and the period for such compliance to be stated in the
notice of suspension issued by the Registrar of Inland Vessels under sub-section (4) of section 31;
(o) the form and manner for maintenance of registers to record, the details and data of the
certificate, and the certificates specified therein, under sub-section (1) of section 41;
(p) the form of application, form of certificate of fitness and such other conditions including
validity, subject to which and the manner of granting the certificate of fitness under sub-section (2) of
section 43;
(q) the safety features, gears and such other measures by which any mechanically propelled
inland vessel, identified as special category vessel, shall comply with and be equipped in accordance
with the categorisation of such vessel, under sub-section (1) of section 44;
(r) the maximum carrying capacity of the vessel identified as special category vessel by
specifying the safety waterline or the limits of load water line to keep them afloat, or such other
criteria and conditions, for the safe voyage of such inland vessel under sub-section (2) of section 44;
(s) the rates of charges to be received by the owner or operator of all cargo terminals or passenger
terminals, providing reception facilities shall receive charges under sub-section (3) of section 54;
(t) the form of report of compliance to be submitted by the owner or operator of the passenger or
cargo terminal under sub-section (5) of section 54;
(u) the manner in which the owner, operator or master of any mechanically propelled vessel used
or plying within inland waters, shall discharge the pollutants at the port reception facilities under
sub-section (6) of section 54;
(v) the procedure for detaining any mechanically propelled inland vessel in connection with a
claim, or an offence under section 63;
(w) the form and manner of giving information of any wreck, abandonment, damage, casualty,
accident, explosion or loss occurred to or on board such a vessel while in the inland waters, to the
officer in-charge of the nearest police station and to the designated authority appointed under
sub-section (2) of section 74;
(x) the powers of the District Magistrate and the procedures to be followed in holding inquiry
under sub-section (3) of section 75;
(y) the qualifications, criteria and consideration, fees or charges for the assessors, who have
experience in the merchant service or in the navigation of the mechanically propelled inland vessels
under sub-section (2) of section 76;
(z) the procedures for detention, formality, fees and conditions, if not specified in this Act, to be
followed and observed by the concerned officer or authority or court, appointed or authorised or
constituted under this Act, for the purpose of detaining a vessel, under sub-section (4) of section 85;
(za) the rates of fees and additional fees to be charged for the services provided under this Act,
and any other charges or payment made to it against penalties of pecuniary nature to be collected by
the State Government, and the intervals at which such fees, charges or penalties shall be collected,
under sub-section (1) of section 89;
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(zb) the procedures, forms and format of receipts, maintenance of accounts and any other matter
that is necessary for the purpose of the remittance, collection, accounts and accountability of collected
fees, additional fees, charges or payment against penalties of pecuniary nature under sub-section (3)
of section 89;
(zc) the manner and rates of fees or additional fees, the owner, operators or their representatives,
as the case may be, shall remit under sub-section (4) of section 89;
(zd) the hierarchy of the offices of the authorised department and the powers and functions to be
exercised by such offices under sub-section (3) of section 91;
(ze) the authority and obligation to administer the welfare fund constituted for the purposes of
Chapter XVII under clause (c) of sub-section (3) of section 91;
(zf) such other details to be submitted by the owner or operator of non-mechanically propelled
inland vessel at the office of the authorised department and the form and manner of making such
submission, under sub-section (1) of section 92;
(zg) the form and manner of central data base to record the details of non-mechanically propelled
inland vessels under sub-section (6) of section 92;
(zh) the form and manner of issuance of certificate of enrolment and such other document
containing details of the owner, to be specified in the said certificate, under sub-section (2) of section
93;
(zi) the form and manner of exhibiting a number issued to a non-mechanically propelled inland
vessel under sub-section (4) of section 93;
(zj) the basic minimum standards that may be reasonably observed during the construction of any
non-mechanically propelled inland vessel under sub-section (1) of section 94;
(zk) the manner of complying with the standards of construction specified by the State
Government, by any class or category of non-mechanically propelled inland vessel under sub-section
(2) of section 94;
(zl) the measures to regulate the non-mechanically propelled inland vessel under section 95;
(zm) the measures to be taken by the advisory committee or officers authorised in this behalf to
minimise or counter emergency under sub-section (1) of section 99;
(zn) for the purposes of implementation and administration of Chapter XVII of this Act,
pertaining to non-mechanically propelled inland vessels;
(zo) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed under the provisions of
this Act.
108. Power of Central Government to give directions.— The Central Government may, for
carrying into execution of this Act in the State, give directions to the State Government, and the State
Government shall abide by such directions.
109. Protection of action taken in good faith.— (1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding
shall lie against any person or officer appointed or authorised under this Act, in respect of anything done
or intended to be done in good faith under this Act.
(2) For the purpose of claiming immunity under sub-section (1), the officers appointed or authorised
under this Act, shall perform and carry out the respective functions and responsibilities, with utmost care
and due diligence.
110. Power to remove difficulties.— (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of
this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary for removing the
difficulty:
47
Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of three
years, from the commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each
House of Parliament.
111. Consistency with other laws.— (1) The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not be
construed in derogation of the provisions of any other law, and shall be construed as consistent with such
law, for the time being in force.
(2) In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and a provision of any other law for
the time being in force in the whole of India or restricted to the application within the territory of any
State, the provision of this Act shall prevail to the extent of such conflict.
112. Suspension or alteration of application and operation of Act.— (1) The Central Government
may, by notification, declare that all or any of the provisions, under this Act or the rules made
thereunder—
(a) other than that provided for safety, manning and prevention of pollution, shall not apply to
any specified class or category of the mechanically propelled inland vessels; or
(b) shall apply to any specified class or category of the mechanically propelled inland vessels
with such modifications, as may be specified in the notification.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Central Government may, by notification,
suspend or relax to a specified extent, either indefinitely or for such period as may be specified in that
notification, the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
113. Laying of rules and notifications.— (1) Every rule made or notification issued under this Act,
by the Central Government shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made or issued, before each House
of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session
or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the
session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or
notification, or both Houses agree that the rule or notification should not be made, the rule or notification
shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however,
that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously
done under that rule or notification.
(2) Every rule made or notification issued under this Act by the State Government shall, as soon as
after it is made or issued, be laid before the State Legislature.
114. Repeal and savings.— (1) The Inland Vessels Act, 1917 (1 of 1917) is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the enactment referred to in sub-section (1),—
(a) any notification, rule, regulation, bye-law, order or exemption issued, made or granted under
the enactment hereby repealed shall, if it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, continue
to be in force unless and until revoked, and shall have effect as if it had been issued, made or granted
under the corresponding provision of this Act;
(b) any officer appointed and anybody elected or constituted under any enactment hereby
repealed shall continue and shall be deemed to have been appointed, elected or constituted unless
specifically removed or replaced by appointment of officer or offices, as the case may be, under this
Act;
(c) any document referring to the enactment hereby repealed shall be constructed as referring to
this Act or to the corresponding provision of this Act;
(d) any fine levied or penalty imposed under the enactment hereby repealed may be recovered as
if it had been levied under this Act;
(e) any offence committed under the enactment hereby repealed may be prosecuted and punished
as if it had been committed under this Act;
48
(f) sailing vessels or sailing boats registered under the enactment hereby repealed shall be deemed
to have been registered under the Act;
(g) mortgages of any mechanically propelled inland vessels recorded in any register book
maintained at any port in India under the enactment hereby repealed shall be deemed to have been
recorded in the register book under the corresponding provision of this Act;
(h) any licence, certificate of competency or service, certificate of survey, licenses or any other
certificate or document issued, made or granted under the enactment hereby repealed and in force at
the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been issued, made or granted under this Act
and shall, unless cancelled under this Act, continue in force until the date shown in the certificate or
document, as the case may be.
(3) The matters specifically provided in this section, shall not be held to prejudice or affect the
general application of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897).
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STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Inland Vessels Act, 1917 was enacted to consolidate the enactments which then existed relating to
inland vessels. It governs the navigation of inland mechanically propelled vessels plying within the inland
waters of India. The said Act was last amended in the year 2007. Since then, several major developments
have taken place in the inland water transport sector. One of the important developments is the
declaration of one hundred and eleven national waterways under the provisions of the National
Waterways Act, 2016. Systematic utilisation of the said declared national waterways and tapping the
potential of inland water transportation will lead to the increase in the usage of mechanically propelled
inland vessels.
2. The existing Inland Vessels Act, 1917, inter alia, empowered the State Governments to frame rules
on their own. However, the rules made by various State Governments are not uniform across the country.
The requirement of no objection certificate or endorsement to ply beyond the State jurisdiction, lack of
uniformity of applicable norms and standards prescribed by various State Governments, lack of flexibility
in its provisions, and the like, are shortfalls in the said Act. Hence, a comprehensive review of its
provisions was necessitated to overcome such shortfalls and to cope up with the present needs and
foreseeing developments in the near future. Thus, it is expedient to enact a new legislation to replace the
century old archaic Inland Vessels Act, 1917.
3. The proposed new legislation intends to bring in uniformity in the provisions in respect of States, so
as to promote economic and safe transportation and trade across inland waters and protect the interest and
needs of stake holders. Further, the State Governments are being entrusted with the power and
responsibility to implement the provisions of the proposed legislation, in accordance with the standard
and measures as may be provided by rules by the Central Government.
4. The proposed legislation is different from the lnland Vessels Act, 1917 in terms of its intent, content
and implementation, and will—
(i) promote economical, safe transportation and trade through inland waters;
(ii) bring uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the
country;
(iii) provide for safety of navigation and protection of life and cargo;
(iv) provide for prevention of pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland
vessels;
(v) ensure transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation; and
(vi) strengthen the procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey,
registration, manning, navigation and other related matters.
5. The salient features of the proposed Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, inter alia, are—
(i) to empower the Central Government to provide uniformly the applicable standards for
seamless and safe navigation of inland vessels by rules;
(ii) to empower the State Governments to declare by notification any inland water area into Zones
depending on the maximum significant wave height criteria;
(iii) to empower the Central Government to provide the standards to classify and categorise
mechanically propelled inland vessels, standards and processes involved in registration of vessels,
standards for identification and categorisation of special category vessels, issuance of certificate of
registry, training and minimum manning scales by rules;
(iv) to enable the State Governments to implement the provisions in compliance with the
standards and measures as may be provided by rules by the Central Government;
(v) to provide for a central data base, e-portal for registration and crew data base;
(vi) to provide for new requirements of life safety, fire safety, navigational aids and
communication appliances by rules to be made by the Central Government;
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(vii) to empower the Central Government to provide the permissible limits of
discharge of certain pollutants, such as sewage and to provide for issue of prevention
of pollution certificate as a compliance requirement by rules;
(viii) to provide for wreck and salvage and to empower the State Governments to
appoint Receiver of Wreck;
(ix) to introduce provisions regarding principles of liability and limitation of
liability, which improvises and expands the concept of insurance to ensure secure
trade and trade practices;
(x) to introduce improvised provisions pertaining to casualties and investigation
and also to provide for preliminary inquiry and formal investigation;
(xi) to provide for revised penalties and punishments so as to ensure deterrence
of wrong doers and compliance with the provisions;
(xii) to introduce a new Chapter to make provisions for regulation and governance
of the unregulated sector of non-mechanically propelled inland vessels, and to empower the State
Governments to provide for the minimum regulations on such non-mechanically propelled inland
vessels;
(xiii) to provide for composition of offences punishable with fine only;
(xiv) to repeal the Inland Vessels Act, 1917.
6. The notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions of the Bill.
7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
SARBANANDA SONOWAL.
NEW DELHI;
The 9th July, 2021.
About this act
- Jurisdiction
- Central
- Enactment date
- 2021-08-11
- Sections available
- 115
Read the sections
1Short title, extent and commencement.→2Application and scope.→3Definitions.→4Declaration of inland water area into Zones.→5Administrative role of Central Government and State Governments.→6Competent authority.→7Power to classify and categorise for purpose of survey.→8Construction, alteration or modification of mechanically propelled inland vessel.→9Survey of vessels.→10Appointment and qualifications of surveyors.→11Powers of surveyors.→12Grant of certificate of survey and procedures.→13Provisional certificate of survey and its effect.→14Mechanically propelled inland vessels not to proceed without certificate of survey, and requirement of Zone to be specified in such certificate.→15Suspension and cancellation of certificate of survey.→16Delivery of expired, suspended or cancelled certificate of survey.→17Registration.→18Requirement of certificate of registration.→19Owner or master to carry certificate of registration.→20Appointment of ports or places of registry and Registrars of Inland Vessels.→21Book of registry.→22Central database of inland vessels.→23Application and processes of registration of vessels.→24Grant of certificate of registration and marking of vessel.→25Effect of certificate of registration.→26Duplicate certificate.→27Provisional certificate of registration.→28Registration of modifications or alterations.→29Change of residence or place of business.→30Prohibition against transfer of ownership of registered vessel.→31Suspension of certificate of registration.→32Cancellation of registration.→33Mortgage of mechanically propelled inland vessel or share therein.→34Training and minimum age for employment.→35Minimum manning scale and manning requirements.→36Appointment and duties of examiners.→37Grant of certificate of competency.→38Certificate of service.→39Effect of certificate of competency or certificate of service.→40Suspension and cancellation of certificate.→41Registry of certificate holders and central registry.→42Special category vessels.→43Appointment or authorisation of officers to implement provisions, grant certificate of fitness, etc.→44Safety of passengers or service users.→45Inspection of vessel.→46Suspension or cancellation of certificate of fitness.→47Navigation safety, lights and signals.→48Obligation to ensure safe navigation.→49Distress signal.→50Assistance to vessels in distress and persons in distress.→51Life saving, fire safety and communication appliances.→52Chemicals, etc., to be designated as pollutants.→53Certificate of prevention of pollution.→54Reception facilities and containment of pollution.→55Appointment of surveyor or officer to inspect.→56Investigation into incidents of pollution.→57Prohibition against intentionally causing wreck.→58Receivers of wreck.→59Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter X.→60Liability under Act.→61Apportionment of loss.→62Liability for personal injury, loss of life or pollution to environment.→63Detention of mechanically propelled inland vessel.→64Limitation of liability.→65Non-applicability of limitation.→66Insurance to cover.→67Contractual liability not to cover.→68Issuance and terms of insurance policy.→69Duty to indemnify and direct action against insurer.→70Effect of death on certain causes of action.→71Effect of certificate of insurance.→72Transfer of certificate of insurance.→73Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter XII.→74Reporting of casualty, accident, wreck, etc.→75Preliminary enquiry by designated authority and inquiry by District Magistrate.→76Assessors.→77Report of District Magistrate to be notified by State Government.→78Powers of District Magistrate subsequent to inquiry.→79Power of State Government to suspend, cancel and confiscate certificate.→80Powers of Central Government to protect interests of service providers and service users.→81Prohibited goods and dangerous goods.→82Trade permission and endorsement of certificates of foreign vessels.→83Pilotage.→84Certified master to be deemed pilot under Act 15 of 1908.→85Vessel detention and forfeiture.→86Constitution of Development Fund.→87AAdjudication of penalties.→87Offences and Punishments.→88Offences by company, limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement.→89Fees, additional fee, payment and collection.→90Cognizance of offence.→91Local self-governance.→92Obligation to enroll.→93Certificate of enrolment and marking of vessel.→94Standards of construction and safety.→95Power of State Government to make rules to regulate non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.→96Constitution of welfare fund.→97Desertion and absence without leave.→98General powers of Central Government to make rules.→99Emergency preparedness.→100Removal of lawful obstruction.→101Validity of certificates issued under laws other than this Act.→102Obstruction to officer appointed or authorised.→103Place of trial.→104Composition of offences.→105Appeal.→106Power of Central Government to make rules.→107Power of State Government to make rules.→108Power of Central Government to give directions.→109Protection of action taken in good faith.→110Power to remove difficulties.→111Consistency with other laws.→112Suspension or alteration of application and operation of Act.→113Laying of rules and notifications.→114Repeal and savings.→
India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 24 Oct 2026. Source metadata reports last modification: 2025-11-07. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.