Section 18 in National Waterways, Safety Of Navigation And Shipping Regulations, 2002
18. Instructions to the Master.-
(1)The master shall be responsible for ensuring that the vessel is river worthy. He should follow the regulations relating to the safety measures for navigation in particular(a)take all precautions required to exercise vigilance and to avoid damage to the vessel, installations in the national waterway and avoid causing obstructions to shipping and navigation;(b)to avoid imminent danger, take all steps required by the situation (according to the general practice of seamanship) even if this entails departing from these regulations;(c)be responsible for compliance with the rules or regulations applicable to his vessel and his crew and to the vessel in tow, while his vessel is engaged in towing of other vessels;(d)ensure possession of valid certificates of registration and survey of the vessel and valid certificate or licence by the crew, ships article or the crew list, ships log and engine log;(e)ensure that at no time the vessel is overloaded or carried more than the number of passengers it is certified to carry;(f)ensure that dangerous goods or explosive materials are carried on board as authorized by Competent Authority and procedures and safety precautions as per the Explosives Rules, 1983 are taken for carrying of such goods or material unboard;(g)on sighting a vessel or raft which has suffered and accident endangering persons or the vessel or threatening to obstruct the channel, give immediate assistance to such vessels without endangering safety of his own vessel;(h)in case of any marine casualty, give warning to the approaching vessels to enable them to take necessary action in good time and steer clear of the channel when in danger of sinking or goes out of control;(i)ensure that life saving appliances as specified in Annexure IV are carried onboard, in goods condition and in a position available for immediate use;(j)ensure that no time the vessel discharge in the waterway except at places designated by the Competent Officer, raw sewage, oily substances garbage etc.(2)The master of a passenger vessel shall display the disposition and use of life saving appliances carried onboard and demonstrate the use of like jackets before commencement of journey.(3)The master shall ensure that all the navigational aids, fire fighting and flooding control appliances are on board in proper working conditions and in a position available for immediate use and regular conduct of exercises to his crew for the efficient use of such appliances.(4)The master shall make immediate report to the nearest competent officer on-(i)sighting of any other vessel in distress;(ii)grounding or sinking of the vessel;(iii)outbreak of fire or flooding in his vessel;(iv)damage caused to any waterway installations or permanent structures;(v)observing uncharged obstruction of failure of navigational aid is noticed;(vi)falling overboard of any object which may become an obstruction or danger to navigation;(vii)spillage of oil into National Waterway;(viii)piracy or theft onboard.(5)Master or persons in charges of a vessel shall give the competent officer or any person authorized by him all necessary facilities for verifying compliance with these regulations.
