Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

• 1.   Short Title

• 2.   Interpretation

• 2A.   Force of law

• 3.   Application to Government ships

• 4.   Establishment of Division

• 5.   Power of Minister to give directions

• 6.   Maritime Officers

• 7.   Surveyor's powers and duties

• 8.   Registrar of Ships and Assistant Registrar of Ships

• 9.   Minister may delegate certain powers and duties

• 10.   Registrar of Seamen

• 11.   Trade in Saint Lucian waters

• 12.   Qualifications for owning a Saint Lucian ship

• 12A.   Qualification for registration of foreign ship as Saint Lucian ship

• 13.   Obligation to register Saint Lucian ships

• 14.   Application for registration

• 15.   Declaration of ownership

• 16.   Evidence on first registration

• 17.   Restriction on registration

• 18.   Cancellation of registration

• 19.   Restriction on de-registration of ships

• 19A.   Dispensations

• 19B.   Termination and revocation of dispensation granted under section 19A

• 19C.   Flag to be used where a dispensation has been granted under section 19A

• 20.   Port of Registry

• 21.   Register books

• 22.   Documents to be retained by the Registrar of Ships

• 22A.   Obligation of owner or operator of ship registered under section 12A

• 23.   Name of ship

• 24.   Change of name of ship

• 25.   Identity marks for fishing vessels

• 26.   Offences under section 24 and 25

• 27.   Call sign

• 28.   Register book for ships under construction

• 29.   Survey and measurements of ships

• 30.   Minister to make Tonnage Regulations

• 31.   Tonnage once ascertained to be tonnage of ship

• 32.   Tonnage of foreign ship

• 33.   Foreign and other measurements

• 34.   Alterations between surveys

• 35.   Appointment of surveyors of ships

• 36.   Marking of ships

• 37.   Certificate of Registry

• 38.   Power to make Regulations in relation to certificate of registry

• 39.   Issue and custody of certificate of registry

• 40.   Improper use of certificate of registry

• 41.   Provisional certificate of registry

• 42.   Temporary pass in lieu of certificate of registry

• 43.   Registration of alterations

• 44.   Procedure for registration of alterations

• 45.   Provisional certificate where ship registered anew

• 46.   Registration anew on change of ownership

• 47.   Procedure on registration anew

• 48.   Restriction on re-registration of wrecked or abandoned ships

• 49.   Ships to be licensed

• 50.   Qualifications for owning a licensed Saint Lucian ship

• 51.   Operating restrictions

• 52.   Regulations for licensing of ships

• 53.   Transfer of ship or share

• 54.   Declaration of transfer

• 55.   Registration of transfer

• 56.   Transmission of property in ship on bankruptcy or death

• 57.   Order for sale on transmission to an unqualified person

• 58.   Transfer of ship or share by order of the Court

• 59.   Power of Court to prohibit any dealing with ship

• 60.   Mortgage of ship or share therein

• 61.   Mortgage of provisionally registered ships

• 62.   Entry of discharge of mortgage

• 63.   Priority of mortgages

• 64.   Mortgagee not treated as owner

• 65.   Mortgagee to have power of disposal

• 66.   Mortgage not affected by bankruptcy

• 67.   Transfer of mortgages

• 68.   Transmission of interest in mortgage on bankruptcy or death

• 69.   Authority to sell or mortgage out of Saint Lucia

• 70.   General rules for Certificates of Sale

• 71.   Procedure where ship under certificate granted in Saint Lucia

• 72.   Registration in Saint Lucia where ship sold under certificate of sale granted in a foreign state

• 73.   Rules as to certificate of mortgage

• 74.   Loss of certificate of sale or mortgage

• 75.   Revocation of certificate of sale or mortgage

• 76.   Maritime liens

• 77.   Priority of liens

• 78.   Order of priority of liens

• 79.   Rights of ship builders and ship repairers

• 80.   Overriding nature of maritime liens

• 81.   Claims arising from radioactive products

• 82.   Limitation period

• 83.   Notice of sale to be given

• 84.   Effect of sale on mortgages

• 85.   Disposition of proceeds of sale

• 86.   Issue of certificate that a ship is free of mortgages, liens and other encumbrances

• 87.   Provision for cases of infancy and disability

• 88.   Notice of trusts not receivable

• 89.   Definition of beneficial interest

• 90.   Liability of beneficial owners

• 91.   Registration of managing owner

• 92.   Power to dispense with declarations or evidence

• 93.   Mode of making declaration

• 94.   Admissibility in evidence of register book and other documents

• 95.   Forgery of documents

• 96.   False declarations

• 97.   Procedure on forfeiture of ship

• 98.   Liabilities of ship not recognised

• 99.   Forms

• 100.   Instructions to Registrar of Ships

• 101.   Returns to be made by the Registrar of Ships

• 102.   National character of ship to be declared on clearance

• 103.   National colours

• 104.   Right to fly the flag of Saint Lucia

• 105.   Showing of national colours

• 106.   Penalty for unduly assuming Saint Lucian character

• 107.   National flag on foreign ship

• 108.   Penalty for using national colours if not qualified

• 109.   Penalty for concealing Saint Lucian character or assuming foreign character

• 110.   Liabilities of ship not recognised as a Saint Lucian ship

• 111.   Regulations regarding manning and qualifications of persons serving in Saint Lucian ships

• 112.   Power to exempt

• 113.   Recognition of certificates issued abroad

• 114.   Board of Inquiry

• 115.   Cancellation or suspension of certificates or licences

• 116.   Court of formal investigation to recommend cancellation or suspension of certificate

• 117.   Appeals against cancellation or suspension

• 118.   Offences

• 119.   Prohibition against going to sea undermanned

• 120.   Production of certificates and other documents of qualification

• 121.   Ship leaving port while under detention

• 122.   Saving and transitional

• 123.   Functions of Registrar of Seamen

• 124.   Crew agreements

• 125.   Contents of crew agreements

• 126.   Regulations for disciplinary offences

• 127.   Same offence

• 128.   Procedures relating to certain crew agreements

• 129.   Further provisions as crew agreements

• 130.   Stipulations not to be contrary to law of flag State

• 131.   Seamen's Certificate of discharge

• 132.   Character report

• 133.   Discharge on change of registration

• 134.   Employment of children

• 135.   Changes in crew of ships

• 136.   Change of master

• 137.   Regulations for conditions of service

• 138.   Use of English language

• 139.   Crew's knowledge of English

• 140.   Time and manner of payment of wages

• 141.   Master to deliver account of wages

• 142.   Deductions from wages

• 143.   Settlement of wages

• 144.   Registrar of Seamen's decision as to wages

• 145.   Registrar of Seamen may require ship's documents

• 146.   Rate of exchange

• 147.   Registrar of Seamen may settle wage dispute

• 148.   Court may award interest on wages due where there is no crew agreement

• 149.   Allotment notes

• 150.   Wages where service terminated

• 151.   Protection of seaman's rights and remedies

• 152.   Claims against seaman's wages for maintenance

• 153.   Master's remedies for remuneration and disbursements

• 154.   Wages not to depend on freight

• 155.   Refusal or inability to work

• 156.   Illness caused by own default

• 157.   Costs for procuring conviction

• 158.   Improper discharge

• 159.   Protection of wages

• 160.   Leave and holidays

• 161.   Seaman may sue for wages

• 162.   Jurisdiction of High Court in the recovery of wages

• 163.   Power to rescind contracts

• 164.   Property of deceased seaman

• 165.   Delivery of deceased seaman's property

• 166.   Forgery of documents

• 167.   Occupational Safety Regulations

• 168.   Provisions and water

• 169.   Complaints as to provisions and water

• 170.   Allowance for short or bad provisions

• 171.   Weights and measures

• 172.   Medical Fitness Regulations

• 173.   Crew Accommodation Regulations

• 174.   Certified cook to be carried

• 175.   Medical Stores Regulations

• 176.   Expenses for medical treatment and burial

• 177.   Medical practitioners to be carried

• 178.   Welfare Board for seamen's welfare

• 179.   Facilities for making complaints

• 180.   Assignment and sale of salvage

• 181.   Seaman's debts

• 182.   Misconduct endangering life of ship

• 183.   General offences against discipline

• 184.   Desertion and absence without leave

• 185.   Improper negotiation of advance note

• 186.   Summary remedies not to affect other remedies

• 187.   Certificate of discharge may be withheld

• 188.   False statements as to last ship

• 189.   Deserters from foreign ships

• 190.   Proof of desertion when wages are to be forfeited

• 191.   Application of forfeiture

• 192.   Questions of forfeiture decided in suit for wages

• 193.   Deduction of fine from wages

• 194.   Persuading seaman to desert and harbouring a deserter

• 195.   Penalty on stowaways

• 196.   Trade disputes involving seamen

• 197.   Offences to be entered in official log book

• 198.   Repatriation of seamen

• 199.   Seaman to bear expense of repatriation in certain cases

• 200.   Duty of Registrar of Seaman where seaman left behind

• 201.   Effect of workman's compensation

• 202.   Application to foreign vessels

• 203.   Wages and effects of seaman left behind

• 204.   Liability of master

• 205.   Liability of Government

• 206.   Payment to Government

• 207.   Non-application of section 203

• 208.   Sale of seaman's effects

• 209.   Maintenance and return of seaman involuntarily terminating service

• 210.   Discharge of change of ownership

• 211.   Certificate when seaman left behind

• 212.   Offences

• 213.   Account of wages of seaman left behind

• 214.   Payment of seaman's wages

• 215.   Application of wages of seaman left behind

• 216.   Relief of distressed seaman

• 217.   Repayment of relief and repatriation expenses

• 218.   Forcing ashore

• 219.   Proper return port

• 220.   Manner of return

• 221.   Return of seaman to proper return port

• 222.   Minister may provide temporary relief

• 223.   Unauthorised presence on board ship

• 224.   Official log book

• 225.   Entries in official log book

• 226.   Delivery of official log book to Director

• 227.   Delivery of official log book where ship is or last was

• 228.   Offences in respect of official log book

• 229.   Ordinary ship's log

• 230.   Returns of crew lists

• 231.   Returns of births and deaths in Saint Lucian ships

• 232.   Returns of births and deaths of Saint Lucian citizens in foreign ships

• 233.   Penalty

• 234.   Returns to be sent to the Registrar of Births and Deaths

• 235.   Collision Regulations

• 236.   Saint Lucian ships to observe Collision Regulations

• 237.   Foreign ships in Saint Lucian waters

• 238.   Damage caused by non-observance of Collision Regulations

• 239.   Local rules for inland navigation

• 240.   Inspection to enforce compliance with Collision Regulations

• 241.   Duty to render assistance following collision

• 242.   Record of boat and fire drills to be kept in official log book

• 243.   Crew to be sufficient and efficient

• 244.   Dangers to navigation to be notified

• 245.   Master to proceed moderately in danger area

• 246.   Notices to mariners and navigational warnings

• 247.   Obligation to assist vessels in distress

• 248.   Right to requisition ships when in distress

• 249.   Obligation to assist persons in danger at sea

• 250.   Salvage rights not affected

• 251.   Regulations for signals of distress

• 252.   Reports of accidents to ships

• 253.   Loss of ship

• 254.   Interpretation

• 255.   List of Safety Convention Countries

• 256.   Application of Safety Convention

• 257.   Regulations relating to Safety at Sea

• 258.   Ships in port through stress of weather

• 259.   Breach of Safety Regulations

• 260.   Appointment of surveyors

• 261.   Surveyor's powers of inspection

• 262.   Surveyor's Report to Director

• 263.   Surveyor's record of inspections and certificates

• 264.   Survey of passenger ships

• 265.   Initial survey of passenger ships

• 266.   Periodic surveys of passenger ships

• 267.   Additional surveys of passenger ships

• 268.   Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

• 269.   Short Voyage Certificates for passenger ships

• 270.   Exemption and Qualified Certificates for passenger ships

• 271.   Validity of passenger ship Short Voyage Certificates

• 272.   Passenger Ship Safety Certificate to be carried on board

• 273.   Penalty for carrying excess passengers

• 274.   Safety Equipment survey on Cargo Ships

• 275.   Cargo ship Safety Equipment Certificate

• 276.   Cargo ship exemption and Qualified Safety Equipment Certificates

• 277.   Cargo ship radar and radio installation surveys

• 278.   Issue of cargo ship Radio Certificate

• 279.   Cargo ship exemption and Qualified Radio Certificates

• 280.   Radio Exemption Certificates

• 281.   Cargo ship safety construction surveys

• 282.   Regulations for cargo ship safety construction requirements and surveys

• 283.   Issue of cargo ship Safety Construction Certificate

• 284.   Cargo ship exemption and Qualified Safety Construction Certificates

• 285.   Validity period of cargo ship Safety Construction Certificate

• 286.   Appeals against withholding of ship's certificates or detention

• 287.   Periods of Validity of Certificates

• 288.   Extension of validity of certificates

• 289.   Validity of qualified certificate

• 290.   Penalty for breach of Exemption Certificates

• 291.   Posting up of certificates on boardship

• 292.   Survey to verify compliance with Safety Certificates

• 293.   Production of Safety Convention Certificate

• 294.   Inspection of ships holding Safety Convention Certificates

• 295.   Ship not to proceed to sea without appropriate certificate

• 296.   Detention of ship for non-production of certificates

• 297.   Ships to carry stability information

• 298.   Penalty for forgery of survey report or certificate

• 299.   Notice of accident, defect or alterations affecting the efficiency or sea-worthiness of the ship

• 300.   Resurvey of a ship following alterations or damages

• 301.   Application of this Part to foreign ships

• 302.   Survey of foreign ships and issue of Safety Convention Certificates

• 303.   Issue of Certificate by other Governments

• 304.   Exceptions

• 305.   Regulations for safety requirements and issue of local certificates

• 306.   Interpretation

• 307.   Exceptions

• 308.   Countries to which Load Lines Convention applies

• 309.   Load Line Regulations

• 310.   Certificates issued under the Load Lines Convention

• 311.   International and Local Load Line Certificate

• 312.   Certificates issued by other governments

• 313.   Certificates issued at the request of other government

• 314.   Regulations as to the validity of foreign certificates

• 315.   Power to make Exemption Orders

• 316.   Further powers to exempt ships of novel design

• 317.   Extent of exemption

• 318.   Issue of Exemption Certificate

• 319.   Duration of extension of exemption

• 320.   Effect of Load Line Certificates

• 321.   Duration, renewal and cancellation of Load Line Certificate

• 322.   Ships not to proceed to sea without Load Line Certificate

• 323.   Deck Cargo Regulations

• 324.   Inspection of Saint Lucian load line ships

• 325.   Notice to be given of alterations affecting position of ship's load lines

• 326.   Submersion of load lines

• 327.   Alteration or defacement of load line marks

• 328.   Ships not to proceed to sea unless complying with the Load Line Regulations

• 329.   Production of Load Line Certificates of Saint Lucian ships

• 330.   Production of Load Line Certificates of foreign ships

• 331.   Submersion of load lines of foreign ships

• 332.   Posting up of Load Line Certificate and entry of load line details in ship's log book

• 333.   Inspection of ships regarding load lines

• 334.   Contravention of Load Line Regulations and detention of ship

• 335.   Bulk Cargo Regulations

• 336.   Precautions regarding grain cargoes

• 337.   Offences

• 338.   Regulations in to dangerous goods

• 339.   Carriage and marking of dangerous goods

• 340.   Offences

• 341.   Rejection and disposal of dangerous goods by the ship

• 342.   Forfeiture of dangerous goods

• 343.   Unseaworthy ship

• 344.   Sending unseaworthy ship to sea

• 345.   Duty to ensure seaworthiness

• 346.   Detention of unseaworthy ship

• 347.   Liability for costs and damages

• 348.   Complainant liability

• 349.   Security for costs

• 350.   Desertion from unseaworthy ship

• 351.   Appointment of Surveyors or other maritime officers

• 352.   Costs of survey

• 353.   Appointment and powers of Principal Receiver of Wreck and of receivers of wreck

• 354.   Fees of receiver

• 355.   Duty of receiver where vessel is in distress

• 356.   Power of receiver in case of ship in distress

• 357.   Power to pass over adjoining lands

• 358.   Duties of persons finding wreck

• 359.   Suppression of plunder and disorder

• 360.   Immunity of receiver

• 361.   Notice of wreck to be given by receiver

• 362.   Claims of owner of wreck

• 363.   Sale of wreck

• 364.   Penalty for taking wreck at the time of casualty

• 365.   Right to unclaimed wreck

• 366.   Wrecked goods subject to duties

• 367.   Delivery of wreck not to prejudice title

• 368.   Removal of wreck by port or harbour Authority

• 369.   Breaking and removal of wrecks

• 370.   Extent of power of removal of wreck

• 371.   Taking wreck to a foreign port

• 372.   Boarding

• 373.   Interfacing with wreck

• 374.   Summary procedure for concealment of wreck

• 375.   Examination on oath regarding vessels in distress

• 376.   Interpretation

• 377.   Non-application to platforms and drilling units

• 378.   Non-application of Salvage Convention to foreign state-owned vessel

• 379.   Salvage of life

• 380.   Salvage of cargo

• 381.   Services excluded from salvage remuneration

• 382.   Conditions for salvage remuneration

• 383.   Salvage contracts

• 384.   Annulment or modification of contracts

• 385.   Duties of salvor

• 386.   Duties of owner and master

• 387.   Powers of the Minister

• 388.   Criteria for fixing salvage reward

• 389.   Responsibility for payment of reward

• 390.   Maximum amount of reward

• 391.   Special compensation

• 392.   Services rendered under existing contracts

• 393.   Apportionment between salvors

• 394.   Salvor's misconduct

• 395.   Maritime lien

• 396.   Duty to provide security

• 397.   Interim payment

• 398.   State-owned cargoes

• 399.   Humanitarian cargoes

• 400.   Determination of salvage disputes

• 401.   Summary determination of salvage disputes

• 402.   Appeal in case of salvage disputes

• 403.   Valuation of property salvaged

• 404.   Detention of property by receiver where salvage payments due

• 405.   Sale of detained property

• 406.   Apportionment of small amounts of salvage

• 407.   Apportionment of salvage by High Court

• 408.   Salvor's right to interest

• 409.   Salvage services rendered by Government

• 410.   Limitation of actions

• 411.   Publication of judicial and arbitral awards

• 412.   Power of the Minister to make Regulations respecting passenger ships

• 413.   Offences in connection with passenger ships

• 414.   Interpretation

• 415.   Persons entitled to limit liability

• 416.   Claims subject to limitation

• 417.   Liability of ships

• 418.   Claims not subject to limitation

• 419.   Conduct barring limitation

• 420.   Counterclaims

• 421.   Calculation of limits of liability

• 422.   Priorities

• 423.   Measurement of ship's tonnage

• 424.   Limitation of liability of authorities and owners of docks

• 425.   Limit for passenger claims

• 426.   Conversion of Unit of Account to Saint Lucian funds

• 427.   Aggregation of claims

• 428.   Provision of security

• 429.   Distribution of proceeds of security

• 430.   Bar to other actions

• 431.   Release of ship on security

• 432.   Rules as to division of loss

• 433.   Damages for personal injury

• 434.   Definition of “freight”

• 435.   Right of contribution

• 436.   Limitation of actions

• 437.   Investigations into shipping casualties

• 438.   Preliminary inquiry

• 439.   Formal investigations

• 440.   Expenses of witnesses

• 441.   Effect on certificates or licences

• 442.   Inquiry into fitness or conduct

• 443.   Rehearing and appeal

• 444.   Appeals to High Court

• 445.   Delivery of certificates or licences

• 446.   Power of Minister to vary suspension or cancellation

• 447.   Remuneration

• 448.   Jurisdiction of a Magistrate's Court

• 449.   Provision as to jurisdiction over offences

• 450.   Jurisdiction over ships off the coast

• 451.   Jurisdiction as to offences on board ships

• 452.   Application of fines

• 453.   Conviction under other law

• 454.   Jurisdiction in collision and other cases

• 455.   Actions in rem

• 456.   Jurisdiction as to unsatisfied mortgages

• 457.   Detention of foreign ship

• 458.   Enforcing detention of ship

• 459.   Comptroller to be informed of detention of ship

• 460.   Notice to consular officer of detention of foreign ship

• 461.   Distress on ship

• 462.   Inquiry into death on board

• 463.   Seizure and sale

• 464.   Liability of shipowners

• 465.   Liability of bodies of persons

• 466.   Persons who may prosecute

• 467.   Prosecution of offences and penalties

• 468.   Compounding of offences

• 469.   Limitation of actions in civil proceedings

• 470.   Deposition to be received in evidence where witness cannot be produced

• 471.   Proof of attestation not required

• 472.   Admissibility of documents in evidence

• 473.   Notices to be in writing

• 474.   Service of documents

• 475.   All officers to be public officers

• 476.   Protection of public officers and other persons acting under this Act

• 476A.   Interpretation: Part 19A

• 476B.   APPLICATION

• 476C.   Ships to be inspected within 1 year

• 476D.   Dry-dock inspection

• 476E.   Information to accompany application

• 476F.   Responsibility of owner and master

• 476G.   Suspension of Certificate of Inspection

• 476H.   Prohibition on proceeding to sea

• 476I.   Fee for application

• 476J.   Loss of licences

• 476K.   Suspension of licence

• 476L.   Duty of owner or master

• 476M.   Working hours on vessels on voyage that exceed 24 hours

• 476N.   Working hours in vessel on voyage of less than 24 hours

• 476O.   Contravention of sections 476M and 476N

• 476P.   Training in emergency procedures

• 476Q.   Exemptions

• 476R.   Equivalent standards

• 476S.   Power to detain

• 476T.   Penalty

• 477.   Definition of “authorised officer”

• 478.   Powers of authorised officers to board ships

• 479.   Power to require production of documents

• 480.   Inspection of ships

• 481.   Power of arrest

• 482.   Returns by Surveyor of Ships

• 483.   Appointment of Inspectors

• 484.   Powers of Inspectors

• 485.   Expenses of witnesses

• 486.   Obstruction of Inspector

• 487.   Powers of Director to prescribe forms

• 488.   Exemption from stamp duty

• 489.   Offences in respect of use of forms

• 490.   Power to apply Act to ships of other countries, and to exempt such ships

• 491.   General power to make Regulations

• 492.   General powers of exemption

• 493.   Application of international Conventions

• 494.   Conventions to prevail

• 495.   Contravention of international conventions

• 496.   Savings

• 496A.   Amendment of Schedule 2

• 497.   Regulations for resolving transitional difficulties

• Schedule 1

• Schedule 2