Section 43: Nigerian Licensed ships

(1)
A Nigerian ship not exceeding 15 tons may be licensed under this part of this Act; and when licensed, the ship shall be known as a Nigerian licensed ship and be subject to such conditions as the Minister may, from time to time, prescribe.
(2)
Every licence in respect of a Nigerian licensed ship shall have stated in it:
(a)
that the ship is owned by a person or body corporate ordinarily resident in Nigeria; and
(b)
that license shall become void if the ship, or any share in the ship is transferred, mortgaged or charged to any person or body corporate without the written permission of the Minister.
(3)
No Nigerian licensed ship shall proceed outside Nigeria unless express provision to the contrary is contained in the licence of the ship or unless it is necessary to do so due to stress of weather or other cause beyond the control of the master.
(4)
A master of a ship who contravenes the provisions of subsection (3) of this section and any person who aids or abets the master, commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not less than one hundred thousand Naira and in addition, the licence of the ship may be revoked by the Minister.
(5)
The Minister may make regulations regarding the licensing of ships and boats and the regulations may specify the manning and the safety and fire fighting equipment required to be carried by the ships, and any other provisions which may appear to the Minister to be necessary for the carrying into effect of this section.
(6)
The Licence of a ship and boat shall be renewed annually and upon the payment of such licencing fees as the Minister may, from time to time, by order specify.