Mercantile Marine Act, 1955

Space occupied by deck cargo to be liable to dues.

93.—(1) If any ship carries as deck cargo, that is to say, in any uncovered space upon deck, or in any covered space not included in the cubical contents forming the ship's registered tonnage, timber, stores or other goods, all dues payable on the ship's tonnage shall be payable as if there were added to the ship's registered tonnage the tonnage of the space occupied by those goods at the time at which the dues become payable.

(2) The space so occupied shall be deemed to be the space limited by the area occupied by the goods and by straight lines enclosing a rectangular space sufficient to include the goods.

(3) The tonnage of the space shall be ascertained by a surveyor of ships or an officer of customs and excise in accordance with the tonnage regulations of this Act, and when so ascertained shall be entered by such surveyor or officer in the ship's official log-book, and also in a memorandum which such surveyor or officer shall deliver to the master, and the master shall, when the said dues are demanded, produce that memorandum in like manner as if it were the certificate of registry, or, in the case of a ship which is not a registered ship or a ship registered in a reciprocating state, the document equivalent to a certificate of registry, and in default shall be liable to the same penalty as if he had failed to produce the said certificate or document.

(4) (a) This section shall not apply to a ship employed in trading or going within the following geographical limits, namely, Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and the continent of Europe between the river Elbe and Brest or within such limits as varied by an order under paragraph (b) of this subsection and for the time being in force.

(b) The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, by order vary the limits set out in paragraph (a) of this subsection and may amend or revoke any order made under this paragraph.