Section 127: Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires--
"animals" means animate things of every kind, except human beings;
"approach to a port" means any navigable channel declared to be an approach to a port under section 30 of this Act;
"Authority" means the Nigerian Ports Authority, established under section 1 of this Act;
"Authority pilot" means a pilot appointed by the Authority"
"ballast" includes every kind of gravel, sand and soil and every commodity or thing commonly used for the ballasting of ships;
"beacon" means any light, mark or sign, used as an aid to navigation, other than a lighthouse or buoy;
"buoy" includes any floating light, mark or sign, used as an aid to navigation, other than a lighthouse;
"cargo" includes all kinds of movable personal property, other than animals;
"Company" means the Nigerian Ports PLC;
"dues" includes ships' dues and harbour dues;
"ferry" means any ship plying from one side of a waterway to (he other for the purposes of the carriage of passengers or goods;
"goods" includes baggage,animals(whether alive or dead)and all other movable property of any kind whatsoever;
"high-water level" means the level of water during the high tidal cycle, which occurs two times in 24 hours in Nigerian waters;
"licensed pilot" means a pilot licensed by the Authority;
"lighthouse" includes a lightship;
"managing director" means the managing director of the Authority;
"master" when used in relation to any ship, means the person having command or charge of the ship for the time being, but does not include a pilot;
"Minister" means the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for matters relating to maritime shipping and navigation;
"navigable channel" means any channel where navigation is possible;
"pier" means a pier, wharf or jetty of whatever description and includes any pier, wharf or jetty erected on or extending beyond high-water mark or ordinary spring tide or extending into the waters of any navigable channel and also includes any pontoon moored in any such waters and used as a pier, wharf or jetty;
"pilot" means a person not belonging to a ship, who has conduct thereof;
"pilotage district" means a pilotage district established by the authority under section 41 of this Act;
"rates" means rates levied by the Authority under Part XI of this Act;
"ship" includes any ship, vessel, tug, lighter, canoe or boat of any kind whatsoever, whether propelled by steam or otherwise or towed;
"train" includes locomotive, engine, tender, motor, coach, wagor, trolley and rolling stock of any kind, used whether separately or in conjunction with a railway;
"vehicle" means a vehicle, other than a train or ship;
"vesting day" means the day this Act comes into force;
"warehouse" includes any building and place, when used by the Authority for the purpose of warehousing or depositing goods.