Section 31 - Inland Vessels Act, 2021

The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

31. Suspension of certificate of registration.-

(1) The Registrar of Inland Vessels may at any time, require any mechanically propelled inland vessel within the local limits of his jurisdiction to be inspected by such authority as the State Government may, by general or special order, appoint in this behalf.

(2) As a result of such inspection, if the Registrar of Inland Vessels has reason to believe that after the granting of the certificate of registration, the mechanically propelled inland vessel became unfit to ply in inland waters, order suspension of the certificate of registration of the said vessel for such period as he may deem fit.

(3) The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, before suspending a certificate of registration, provide to the owner, operator or master an opportunity of being heard, and record the reasons for such suspension.

(4) The Registrar of Inland Vessels who suspends the certificate of registration under sub-section (2), shall issue a notice of suspension to the registered owner stating the reasons for suspension and the conditions to be complied within such period, as may be prescribed by the State Government, for withdrawal of such order of suspension.

(5) Where the registration of a mechanically propelled inland vessel is suspended under sub-section (2) by any Registrar of Inland Vessels, other than the Registrar of Inland Vessels who has originally issued the certificate of registration, the former shall intimate the latter, regarding such order of suspension or withdrawal of such order of suspension; and the latter shall enter such order in the book of registry in which the registration of the vessel is originally recorded.

(6) The Registrar of Inland Vessels suspending the certificate of registration, shall confiscate such certificate and return the certificate to the owner or master only upon withdrawal of the order of suspension.