(i) In case of passenger vessel when it is loaded with weight representing the full number of passengers and crew at 65 kg for each person and when all necessary fuel is on board the 27 clear height of the side above water at the lowest point in not less than 38 cms for vessels 6 m in length or less and 76 cms for vessels 18 m in length and over. For lengths between 6m and 18 m in height shall be in proportion. The length shall be measured from the forward side of the stem to the after side of stem post and the clear side shall be measured to the top of the covering board if however a half deck is fitted the clear side shall be measured to the top of the side at side or to the top of gunwale whichever measurement gives the smaller free board. In decked boats the free boat shall be measured from the top of the deck at side.
(ii) Vessels permitted to ply during foul season shall be required to have freeboard 1.5 times as of that calculated in sub rule (1).
45. (i) In all cases in which an inland vessel has sustained damage from any accident, or other cause, affecting its efficiency, in any part of hull equipment, or machinery, the surveyor of the port where the inland vessel may be, shall go on board and ascertain the extent of the damage. In doing so, he will take care not to make any change in the position or condition of things on the board.
(ii) The accidental inland vessel shall be surveyed, and a report thereof shall be sent to the Registering Authority as early as possible.
46. (i) In cases of collision, the surveyor should examine the lights and screens of the Inland Vessel, and if the Inland Vessel, with which it has been in collision is within his district he should examine the lights of the Inland Vessel also, should forward to the Registering Authority examine in a separate report, a statement in respect of the size, condition, and place of its lamp and screens and whether in his opinion they are deficient.
(ii) The surveyors should be very careful in wording their report as to lights and screens as they may be used in evidence in case taken into Court.
(iii) If, in consequence of any accident to an Inland Vessel, or any other reason, the surveyor considers it necessary to require the vessel to be taken into dock for the purpose of surveying the hull thereof, he may do so, but he is to be cautious never to exercise this power unless the circumstances of the case actually require it.
(iv) Unless directions to the contrary are given by the Registering Authority, the surveyor is to hold the certificate of the Inland Vessel during the time it is under repair, and for this purpose he is to require it of the master, unless the damage is such that in the surveyors opinions the certificate should be cancelled, in which case he should forward it to the Registering Authority with his report. In all cases of serious damage the certificates should be returned to the Registering Authority to be cancelled.
(v) If the master or owner decline to give up the certificate the surveyor shall inform immediately to the Registering Authority, and the Director Inland water transport.
(vi) When the vessel is in every respect rendered efficient both in hull and machinery to the entire satisfaction of the surveyor, he is to put an endorsement on the back of the certificate if they have not been previously cancelled, to the effect that the damage has been made good so as to last for the period for which the certificate was granted, and return the certificate to the master or owner, or his agent, and allow the inland vessel to proceed. He is then to send to the Registering Authority a statement to the extent of repair that was necessary, and endorsement made on the certificate.
47. In all cases in which a surveyor is directed by the Registering Authority to obtain from an owner or master a certificate that has expired, or has been cancelled or revoked, he is to apply for it without delay, and in the event of his application not being attended to, he is at once to report the case. A fine of two hundred rupees may be imposed on any owner or 28 master who neglects or refuses to deliver such certificate when required to do so by the Registering Authority.
48. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, the State Transport Commissioner by a general or a specific order, may direct the vessel owners, vessel builders or persons/ passengers involved in any manner with vessel operation to add/ delete/amend certain technical specifications of vessels or of its operational aspects in order to enhance safety of vessel, monitoring of movement, passengers comfort and general regulation of the Inland Transport Sector.
CHAPTER: 6.0 LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES TO BE CARRIED ON BOARD INLAND VESSELS