Section 101
Entry of offences in official logbook.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(a) an entry of the offence or act shall be made in the official logbook and signed by the master and the officer on watch;
(b) the offender, if still in the vessel, shall, before the subsequent arrival of the vessel at any port, or, if she is at the time in port, before her departure therefrom, be furnished with a copy of the entry and have the same read over distinctly and audibly to him and may thereupon make such reply thereto as he thinks fit;
(c) a statement of a copy of the entry having been so furnished and the entry having been so read over and the reply, if any, made by the offender shall likewise be entered and signed in the manner aforesaid; and
(d) in any subsequent legal proceedings, the entries required by this section shall, if practicable, be produced or proved, and, in default of such production or proof, the court hearing the case may in its discretion, refuse to receive evidence of the offence or act of misconduct.