Section 315: Inspection of ships regarding lines

(1)
A surveyor of ships or any other marine officer may board any ship when the ship is within Nigerian waters and may demand the production of any Load Line Certificate for the time being in force in respect of the ship.
(2)
Where a valid Load Line Certificate is produced to the surveyor his powers of inspecting the ship with respect to load lines shall be limited to ensuring that-
(a)
the ship is not loaded beyond the limits allowed by the certificate;
(b)
the markings of the load line on the ship correspond with those specified in the certificate;
(c)
no material alterations have taken place in the hull or superstructure of the ship which affect the markings of the load line;
(d)
that the fittings and appliances for the protection of openings, guard rails, freeing ports and the means of access to the crew's quarters have been maintained on the ship in as effective a condition as they were when the certificate was issued;
(3)
Where a valid Load Line Certificate is not produced to the surveyor under this section, he shall have the same power of inspecting the ship as provided for in section 307 of this Act as if the ship were a Nigerian Load Line ship.