248. Number of passengers on board not to exceed that allowed by or under this Part. -
(1)[A special trade passenger ship] or a pilgrim ship shall not carry a number of [Special trade passengers] [ Substituted by Act 69 of 1976, Section 2, for " Unberthed passengers" (w.e.f. 1.12.1976).] or pilgrims, which is greater than the number allowed for the ship by or under this Part.(2)Any officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government may cause all [Special trade passengers] [ Substituted by Act 69 of 1976, Section 2, for " Unberthed passengers" (w.e.f. 1.12.1976).] or pilgrims over and above the number allowed by or under this Part to disembark, and may forward them to any port at which they may have contracted to land, and recover the cost of so forwarding them from the master, owner or agent of the ship as if the cost were a fine imposed under this Part, and a certificate under the hand of that officer shall be conclusive proof of the amount of the cost aforesaid.
