Section 277
Detention of vessel by proper officer.
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.
(1) Any vessel attempting to ply or proceed to sea without free board markings or any vessel which is so loaded as to submerge such markings or carrying persons in excess of the certified capacity may be detained by a proper officer until the vessel complies with the requirements of this Act.
(2) Save as otherwise provided, for the purposes of this Part, a proper officer may, at any reasonable time, go onboard a vessel and may inspect or audit the vessel and any part thereof, the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, materials, systems, scantlings, cargo, provisions, stores, her certificates and certificates of the crew onboard:
Provided that the proper officer shall not unreasonably hinder the operation of the vessel or unreasonably detain or delay her from proceeding on any voyage.
(3) The owner, agent, master or every officer of the vessel shall afford to the proper officer all reasonable facilities for a survey or audit and provide all such information in respect of the vessel and her structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, materials, scantlings, systems, cargo, provisions, stores, her certificates, and certificates of the crew, as the proper officer may reasonably require.
(2) Save as otherwise provided, for the purposes of this Part, a proper officer may, at any reasonable time, go onboard a vessel and may inspect or audit the vessel and any part thereof, the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, materials, systems, scantlings, cargo, provisions, stores, her certificates and certificates of the crew onboard:
Provided that the proper officer shall not unreasonably hinder the operation of the vessel or unreasonably detain or delay her from proceeding on any voyage.
(3) The owner, agent, master or every officer of the vessel shall afford to the proper officer all reasonable facilities for a survey or audit and provide all such information in respect of the vessel and her structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, materials, scantlings, systems, cargo, provisions, stores, her certificates, and certificates of the crew, as the proper officer may reasonably require.