Section List

24/2021 - The Inland Vessels Act, 2021 ▶

Act Number: 24

Act Name: The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

Year: 2021

Enactment Date: 2021-08-11

Long Title: An Act to promote economical and safe transportation and trade through inland waters, to bring uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country, to provide for safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, and prevention of pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland vessels, to ensure transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation, to strengthen procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey, registration, manning, navigation and such other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Department:

Section Number	Title	Actions
1	Short title, extent and commencement.
2	Application and scope.
3	Definitions.
4	Declaration of inland water area into Zones.
5	Administrative role of Central Government and State Governments.
6	Competent authority.
7	Power to classify and categorise for purpose of survey.
8	Construction, alteration or modification of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
9	Survey of vessels.
10	Appointment and qualifications of surveyors.
11	Powers of surveyors.
12	Grant of certificate of survey and procedures.
13	Provisional certificate of survey and its effect.
15	Suspension and cancellation of certificate of survey.
16	Delivery of expired, suspended or cancelled certificate of survey.
19	Owner or master to carry certificate of registration.
20	Appointment of ports or places of registry and Registrars of Inland Vessels.
21	Book of registry.
22	Central database of inland vessels.
23	Application and processes of registration of vessels.
24	Grant of certificate of registration and marking of vessel.
25	Effect of certificate of registration.
26	Duplicate certificate.
27	Provisional certificate of registration.
28	Registration of modifications or alterations.
29	Change of residence or place of business.
30	Prohibition against transfer of ownership of registered vessel.
31	Suspension of certificate of registration.
32	Cancellation of registration.
33	Mortgage of mechanically propelled inland vessel or share therein.
34	Training and minimum age for employment.
35	Minimum manning scale and manning requirements.
36	Appointment and duties of examiners.
37	Grant of certificate of competency.
38	Certificate of service.
39	Effect of certificate of competency or certificate of service.
40	Suspension and cancellation of certificate.
41	Registry of certificate holders and central registry.
42	Special category vessels.
43	Appointment or authorisation of officers to implement provisions, grant certificate of fitness, etc.
44	Safety of passengers or service users.
45	Inspection of vessel.
46	Suspension or cancellation of certificate of fitness.
47	Navigation safety, lights and signals.
48	Obligation to ensure safe navigation.
49	Distress signal.
50	Assistance to vessels in distress and persons in distress.
51	Life saving, fire safety and communication appliances.
52	Chemicals, etc., to be designated as pollutants.
53	Certificate of prevention of pollution.
54	Reception facilities and containment of pollution.
55	Appointment of surveyor or officer to inspect.
56	Investigation into incidents of pollution.
57	Prohibition against intentionally causing wreck.
58	Receivers of wreck.
59	Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter X.
60	Liability under Act.
61	Apportionment of loss.
62	Liability for personal injury, loss of life or pollution to environment.
63	Detention of mechanically propelled inland vessel.
64	Limitation of liability.
65	Non-applicability of limitation.
66	Insurance to cover.
67	Contractual liability not to cover.
68	Issuance and terms of insurance policy.
69	Duty to indemnify and direct action against insurer.
70	Effect of death on certain causes of action.
71	Effect of certificate of insurance.
72	Transfer of certificate of insurance.
73	Powers of Central Government to make rules for Chapter XII.
74	Reporting of casualty, accident, wreck, etc.
75	Preliminary enquiry by designated authority and inquiry by District Magistrate.
76	Assessors.
77	Report of District Magistrate to be notified by State Government.
78	Powers of District Magistrate subsequent to inquiry.
79	Power of State Government to suspend, cancel and confiscate certificate.
80	Powers of Central Government to protect interests of service providers and service users.
81	Prohibited goods and dangerous goods.
82	Trade permission and endorsement of certificates of foreign vessels.
83	Pilotage.
84	Certified master to be deemed pilot under Act 15 of 1908.
85	Vessel detention and forfeiture.
86	Constitution of Development Fund.
87	Offences and penalties.
88	Offences by company, limited liability partnership firm or any such arrangement.
89	Fees, additional fee, payment and collection.
90	Cognizance of offence.
91	Local self-governance.
92	Obligation to enroll.
93	Certificate of enrolment and marking of vessel.
94	Standards of construction and safety.
96	Constitution of welfare fund.
97	Desertion and absence without leave.
98	General powers of Central Government to make rules.
99	Emergency preparedness.
100	Removal of lawful obstruction.
101	Validity of certificates issued under laws other than this Act.
102	Obstruction to officer appointed or authorised.
103	Place of trial.
104	Composition of offences.
105	Appeal.
106	Power of Central Government to make rules.
107	Power of State Government to make rules.
108	Power of Central Government to give directions.
109	Protection of action taken in good faith.
110	Power to remove difficulties.
111	Consistency with other laws.
112	Suspension or alteration of application and operation of Act.
113	Laying of rules and notifications.
114	Repeal and savings.
14	Mechanically propelled inland vessels not to proceed without certificate of survey, and requirement of Zone to be specified in such certificate.
17	Registration.
18	Requirement of certificate of registration.
95	Power of State Government to make rules to regulate non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.