(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the provisions of Chapters I, III, X, XVI and XVIII shall apply to all inland vessels plying within inland waters of India, and--
(a) Chapters IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV shall apply to all mechanically propelled vessels registered under this Act;
(b) Chapters VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIII shall apply to vessels registered under such laws in force in India other than this Act, or registered in such laws in force in any country other than India; but endorsed or recognised under this Act for the purpose of plying within inland waterways;
(c) Chapters IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV shall apply to all vessels identified as special category vessels plying or using inland waterways;
(d) Chapter XVII shall apply to all non-mechanically propelled inland vessels.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may extend the application of any Chapter or provision of this Act to any class or category of inland vessels, or to any region of inland waters, by notification in the Official Gazette.