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The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

Central

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.

Act number
24 of 2021
Ministry
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Enacted
11 Aug 2021

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

115 sections

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