Obligation to ensure safe navigation

(1) Every mechanically propelled vessel shall adopt necessary measures to prevent collision and to ensure safe navigation through inland waters. (2) If any damage to person or property arises in the inland water limit due to non-observance of any of the rules made under this Chapter by any mechanically propelled vessel, the damage shall be deemed to have been occasioned by the wilful default of the person in-charge of such vessel at that time, unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances of the case demanded deviance from the applicable rules. (f) sailing vessels or sailing boats registered under the enactment hereby repealed shall be deemed to have been registered under the Act; (g) mortgages of any mechanically propelled inland vessels recorded in any register book maintained at any port in India under the enactment hereby repealed shall be deemed to have been recorded in the register book under the corresponding provision of this Act; (h) any licence, certificate of competency or service, certificate of survey, licenses or any other certificate or document issued, made or granted under the enactment hereby repealed and in force at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been issued, made or granted under this Act and shall, unless cancelled under this Act, continue in force until the date shown in the certificate or document, as the case may be. (3) The matters specifically provided in this section, shall not be held to prejudice or affect the general application of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897).