Section 292
Service of documents.
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.
Where, for the purposes of this Act, any document is to be served on any person, that document may be served—
(a) in any case by delivering a copy thereof personally to the person to be served, or by leaving the same at his last place of residence, or by post; and
(b) if the document is to be served on the master of a vessel, where there is one, by leaving the same for him onboard that vessel, with the person being or appearing to be in command or charge of the vessel; and
(c) if the document is to be served on the master of a vessel where there is no master and the vessel is in India, on the owner of the vessel, or, if such owner is not in India, on some agent of the owner residing in India, or, where no such agent is known or can be found, by affixing a copy thereof on the vessel or at a suitable place on the bridge.
(a) in any case by delivering a copy thereof personally to the person to be served, or by leaving the same at his last place of residence, or by post; and
(b) if the document is to be served on the master of a vessel, where there is one, by leaving the same for him onboard that vessel, with the person being or appearing to be in command or charge of the vessel; and
(c) if the document is to be served on the master of a vessel where there is no master and the vessel is in India, on the owner of the vessel, or, if such owner is not in India, on some agent of the owner residing in India, or, where no such agent is known or can be found, by affixing a copy thereof on the vessel or at a suitable place on the bridge.