Section 291
Levy of wages, etc., by distress of movable property or vessel.
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) When an order under this Act for the payment of any wages or other sums of money is made by any court or other officer or authority and the money is not paid at the time or in the manner directed, the sum mentioned in the order with such further sum as may be thereby awarded for costs, may be levied by distress and sale of the movable property of the person directed to pay the same under a warrant to be issued for that purpose by such court.
(2) Where any court or other officer or authority has power under this Act to make an order directing payment to be made of any seafarer’s wages, fines or other sums of money, then, if the person so directed to pay the same is the master, owner or agent of a vessel and the same is not paid at the time or in the manner directed by such court or other officer or authority, the court or officer or authority may, in addition to any other power which it may have for the purpose of compelling payment by warrant, direct the amount remaining unpaid to be levied by distress and sale of the vessel and her equipment.
(2) Where any court or other officer or authority has power under this Act to make an order directing payment to be made of any seafarer’s wages, fines or other sums of money, then, if the person so directed to pay the same is the master, owner or agent of a vessel and the same is not paid at the time or in the manner directed by such court or other officer or authority, the court or officer or authority may, in addition to any other power which it may have for the purpose of compelling payment by warrant, direct the amount remaining unpaid to be levied by distress and sale of the vessel and her equipment.