Assessment of marine aids to navigation dues and ascertainment of tonnage

(1) The proper officer to whom the return has been furnished under sub-section (4) of section 24 shall, after making or causing to be made such inquiry as he thinks fit and after satisfying himself that the particulars stated in the return are correct, by order, assess the amount of marine aids to navigation dues payable by the owner or the master of the ship. (2) If the return has not been furnished to the proper officer under sub-section (4) of section 24, he shall, after making or causing to be made such inquiry as he thinks fit, by order, assess the amount of marine aids to navigation dues payable by the owner or the master of the ship. (3) For the purposes of levy of marine aids to navigation dues, the tonnage of a ship or sailing vessel shall be reckoned as under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), for such dues payable on a ship’s tonnage including the tonnage of any space added under the said Act to the tonnage of ships by reason of such space being utilised for carrying cargo. (4) In order to ascertain the tonnage of any ship for the purpose of levying marine aids to navigation dues, the proper officer may, if he deems it fit, require the production of any documents, the appearance of any person and the inspection of any vessel, in such manner as may be prescribed.