Inland Vessels Act, 2021

The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

Rules Regulations Notifications Orders Circulars Ordinance Statutes

Act ID:	202124
Act Number:	24
Enactment Date:	2021-08-11
Act Year:	2021
Short Title:	The Inland Vessels Act, 2021
Long Title:	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.
Ministry:	Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

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Show all section The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

CHAPTER II

DECLARATION OF INLAND WATER AREA INTO ZONES

CHAPTER III

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

CHAPTER IV

SURVEY OF INLAND VESSELS

CHAPTER V

REGISTRATION

CHAPTER VI

MANNING, QUALIFICATION, TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION

CHAPTER VII

SPECIAL CATEGORY VESSELS

CHAPTER VIII

NAVIGATION SAFETY AND SIGNALS

CHAPTER IX

PREVENTION OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY INLAND VESSEL

CHAPTER X

WRECK AND SALVAGE

CHAPTER XI

LIABILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

CHAPTER XII

INSURANCE OF MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VESSELS PLYING IN INLAND WATERS

CHAPTER XIII

INQUIRY INTO CASUALITY, ACCIDENT OR WRECK

CHAPTER XIV

REGULATION OF TRADE PRACTICES

CHAPTER XV

PILOTAGE, VESSEL DETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

CHAPTER XVI

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

CHAPTER XVII

NON-MECHANICALLY PROPELLED INLAND VESSEL

CHAPTER XVIII

MISCELLANEOUS


Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
Section 2. Application and scope.
Section 3. Definitions.
Section 4. Declaration of inland water area into Zones.
Section 5. Administrative role of Central Government and State Governments.
Section 6. Competent authority.
Section 7. Power to classify and categorise for purpose of survey.
Section 8. Construction, alteration or modification of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
Section 9. Survey of vessels.
Section 10. Appointment and qualifications of surveyors.
Section 11. Powers of surveyors.
Section 12. Grant of certificate of survey and procedures.
Section 13. Provisional certificate of survey and its effect.
Section 14. Mechanically propelled inland vessels not to proceed without certificate of survey, and requirement of Zone to be specified in such certificate.
Section 15. Suspension and cancellation of certificate of survey.
Section 16. Delivery of expired, suspended or cancelled certificate of survey.
Section 17. Registration.
Section 18. Requirement of certificate of registration.
Section 19. Owner or master to carry certificate of registration.
Section 20. Appointment of ports or places of registry and Registrars of Inland Vessels.
Section 21. Book of registry.
Section 22. Central database of inland vessels.
Section 23. Application and processes of registration of vessels.
Section 24. Grant of certificate of registration and marking of vessel.
Section 25. Effect of certificate of registration.
Section 26. Duplicate certificate.
Section 27. Provisional certificate of registration.
Section 28. Registration of modifications or alterations.
Section 29. Change of residence or place of business.
Section 30. Prohibition against transfer of ownership of registered vessel.
Section 31. Suspension of certificate of registration.
Section 32. Cancellation of registration.
Section 33. Mortgage of mechanically propelled inland vessel or share therein.
Section 34. Training and minimum age for employment.
Section 35. Minimum manning scale and manning requirements.
Section 36. Appointment and duties of examiners.
Section 37. Grant of certificate of competency.
Section 38. Certificate of service.
Section 39. Effect of certificate of competency or certificate of service.
Section 40. Suspension and cancellation of certificate.
Section 41. Registry of certificate holders and central registry.
Section 42. Special category vessels.
Section 43. Appointment or authorisation of officers to implement provisions, grant certificate of fitness, etc.
Section 44. Safety of passengers or service users.
Section 45. Inspection of vessel.
Section 46. Suspension or cancellation of certificate of fitness.
Section 47. Navigation safety, lights and signals.
Section 48. Obligation to ensure safe navigation.
Section 49. Distress signal.
Section 50. Assistance to vessels in distress and persons in distress.
Section 51. Life saving, fire safety and communication appliances.
Section 52. Chemicals, etc., to be designated as pollutants.
Section 53. Certificate of prevention of pollution.
Section 54. Reception facilities and containment of pollution.
Section 55. Appointment of surveyor or officer to inspect.
Section 56. Investigation into incidents of pollution.
Section 57. Prohibition against intentionally causing wreck.
Section 58. Receivers of wreck.
Section 59. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter X.
Section 60. Liability under Act.
Section 61. Apportionment of loss.
Section 62. Liability for personal injury, loss of life or pollution to environment.
Section 63. Detention of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
Section 64. Limitation of liability.
Section 65. Non-applicability of limitation.
Section 66. Insurance to cover.
Section 67. Contractual liability not to cover.
Section 68. Issuance and terms of insurance policy.
Section 69. Duty to indemnify and direct action against insurer.
Section 70. Effect of death on certain causes of action.
Section 71. Effect of certificate of insurance.
Section 72. Transfer of certificate of insurance.
Section 73. Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter XII.
Section 74. Reporting of casualty, accident, wreck, etc.
Section 75. Preliminary enquiry by designated authority and inquiry by District Magistrate.
Section 76. Assessors.
Section 77. Report of District Magistrate to be notified by State Government.
Section 78. Powers of District Magistrate subsequent to inquiry.
Section 79. Power of State Government to suspend, cancel and confiscate certificate.
Section 80. Powers of Central Government to protect interests of service providers and service users.
Section 81. Prohibited goods and dangerous goods.
Section 82. Trade permission and endorsement of certificates of foreign vessels.
Section 83. Pilotage.
Section 84. Certified master to be deemed pilot under Act 15 of 1908.
Section 85. Vessel detention and forfeiture.
Section 86. Constitution of Development Fund.
Section 87. Offences and penalties.
Section 88. Offences by company, limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement.
Section 89. Fees, additional fee, payment and collection.
Section 90. Cognizance of offence.
Section 91. Local self-governance.
Section 92. Obligation to enroll.
Section 93. Certificate of enrolment and marking of vessel.
Section 94. Standards of construction and safety.
Section 95. Power of State Government to make rules to regulate non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.
Section 96. Constitution of welfare fund.
Section 97. Desertion and absence without leave.
Section 98. General powers of Central Government to make rules.
Section 99. Emergency preparedness.
Section 100. Removal of lawful obstruction.
Section 101. Validity of certificates issued under laws other than this Act.
Section 102. Obstruction to officer appointed or authorised.
Section 103. Place of trial.
Section 104. Composition of offences.
Section 105. Appeal.
Section 106. Power of Central Government to make rules.
Section 107. Power of State Government to make rules.
Section 108. Power of Central Government to give directions.
Section 109. Protection of action taken in good faith.
Section 110. Power to remove difficulties.
Section 111. Consistency with other laws.
Section 112. Suspension or alteration of application and operation of Act.
Section 113. Laying of rules and notifications.
Section 114. Repeal and savings.