19I. Prohibition against transfer of certificate of registration.
(1)A certificate of registration granted in respect of any inland [mechanically propelled vessel] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for " steam-vessel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978)] shall be used only for the lawful navigation of that vessel.(2)A certificate of registration in respect of an inland [mechanically propelled vessel] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for " steam-vessel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978)] issued by a registering authority in one State shall be valid for that State only, but where any such vessel plies in [inland waters of any other State] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, s.10 for " inland waters of more than one state" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).] nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the owner or master of the vessel to obtain a fresh certificate of registration in relation to the State or States in which the vessel is not so registered:[* * * * *] [Proviso omitted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 10, (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).](3)[ When an inland mechanically propelled vessel registered in one State has been kept in another State for a period exceeding [thirty-six months] [Inserted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 10, (w.e.f 1.5.1978).], the owner or master of the vessel shall make an application under section 19K to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vessel then is, for the transfer of registry from the registering authority of the place where the vessel is registered.]
