(1)The registering authority or any officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf may go on board, detain, or inspect any vessel at any hour for the purpose of satisfying himself that the provision of the Act, are being complied with. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner or master of the inland vessel to give all reasonable assistance to the inspecting officer in carrying out the inspection and to comply with any lawful directions that he may give.(2)In case any inland vessel is detained, a report of the circumstances in which the detention is ordered shall be sent to the registering authority and the Director of Inland Water Transport within forty eight hours.(3)The registering authority at any time, if satisfied that the vessel is in a condition not fit to ply in the Inland water, suspend the registration of the vessel and require the owner thereof to surrender forth with certificates of survey and registration in respect of that vessel. Before cancellation, the owner of the vessel should be given an opportunity to be heard. A registering authority may also suspend/cancel a certificate of registration if the vessel has been destroyed or rendered permanently unfit for service.(4)No certificate shall be suspended under section 19N of the Act without giving owner a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of the grounds on which the suspension of the certificate is proposed.Chapter - 4.0 Certificate of Competency to Engineer and Engine Drivers of Inland Vessels
