(1) Where, loss of life or personal injuries is suffered, damage to property or pollution is caused by any person on any mechanically propelled inland vessel or any other vessel, owing to the fault of that vessel and of any other vessel or vessels, the liability of the owners of such vessels concerned shall be joint and several.
    (2) No liability for any claim other than loss of life, personal injury or pollution, shall attach to the owner, operator, master, or a member of crew or insurer under this Chapter, if he proves that the cause for claim—
        (a) was a result of an act of war, hostility, civil war, insurrection or a natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or
        (b) was wholly caused by an act or omission with intent to cause such damage by any other person; or

        (c) was wholly caused by the negligence or other wrongful act of a State Government or other authority responsible for the maintenance of lights or other navigational aids in exercise of its functions in that behalf.