(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare what shall be the proper national colours for all ships registered under this Act and for all ships which are not so registered but which are owned by the Government or by any local authority or by any body corporate established by or under any law for the time being in force in India or by a citizen of India; and different colours may be declared for different classes of ships.
     (2) Any commissioned officer of the Indian Navy, or any customs collector, or any Indian consular officer, may board any ship on which any colours are hoisted contrary to this Act and seize and take away the colours which shall be forfeited to the Government.