(1) A registering authority may suspend, for such period and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, the certificate of registration of an inland 2 [mechanically propelled vessel], if it has reason to believe that after the granting of the certificate the vessel has become unfit to ply in inland waters.
(2) Where the registration of an inland 2 [mechanically propelled vessel] is suspended under sub-section (1) for a period of not less than one month, the registering authority ordering the suspension shall, if it is not the original registering authority, inform that other authority of the fact of such suspension.
(3) The registering authority suspending the certificate may require the owner or master of the vessel to deliver up the certificate so suspended to itself or, if it is not the original registering authority, to that other authority.
1. Subs. by Act 35 of 1977, s. 11, for sub-sections (3) and (4) (w.e.f. 1-5-1978).
2. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for “steam-vessel” (w.e.f. 1-5-1978).
3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for “also registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as amended by any subsequent enactment” (w.e.f. 1-5-1978).
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(4) A certificate of registration surrendered under this section shall be returned to the owner when the order suspending the certificate has been rescinded or has ceased to operate.
19-0. Cancellation of registration .—(1) If an inland 1 [mechanically propelled vessel] has been destroyed or has been rendered permanently unfit for service, the owner of the vessel shall, with the least practicable delay, report the fact to the registering authority of the place where the vessel is registered and shall also forward to that authority, along with the report, the certificate of registration of the vessel and thereupon the registering authority shall have the certificate of registration cancelled.
(2) Any registering authority may at any time require that any inland l [mechanically propelled vessel] within the local limits of its jurisdiction may be inspected by such authority as the State Government may, by general or special order, appoint in this behalf and, if as a result of such inspection, the registering authority is satisfied that the vessel is in such a condition that it is not fit to ply in any inland water, the registrering authority may, after giving the owner of the vessel an opportunity of being heard, cancel the registration of the vessel and require the owner thereof to surrender forthwith to the registering authority, the certificate of registration in respect of that vessel, if it has not already been so surrendered.