Section 307: Notice to be given of alterations affecting position of ship's Load Lines

(1)
The owner or master of a ship in respect of which a load line certificate issued under this part is in force shall, as soon as practicable after any structural alteration which affects the load line marks is made in the hull or superstructures of the ship, give notice in writing to the Agency containing full particulars of the alteration.
(2)
Where notice of any alteration is not given as required by subsection (1) of this section, the owner and the master of the ship each commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not less than one hundred thousand Naira.
(3)
The Agency may exercise with respect to any such ship his powers specified in subsection (4) of this section where he has reason to believe that-
(a)
material alterations have taken place in the hull or superstructure of the ship which affect the load line marks; or
(b)
fittings and appliances for the protection of openings, guard rails, the freeing ports or the means of access to the crews' quarters have not been maintained on the ship in as effective a condition as they were when the certificate was issued.
(4)
In any such case the Agency may-
(a)
cancel the Load Line Certificate; or
(b)
require the owner to have the ship surveyed again to such an extent as the Agency thinks fit; and, if that requirement is not complied with he may cancel the Load Line Certificate.
(5)
Where a load line certificate has expired or has been cancelled, the Agency may require the owner or master of the ship to which the certificate relates to deliver up the certificate as he may direct and the ship may be detained.
(6)
A ship owner or master who fails without reasonable cause to comply with the requirement in subsection (5) of this section, commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not less than fifty thousand Naira.