(1) Subject to section 22A(b) and subsections (2) and (3) a ship shall not trade in or from Saint Lucian waters unless the ship—
(a) is a Saint Lucian ship; or
(b) is provided with a certificate of foreign registry or other document similar or equivalent to that required by this Act.
(Amended by Act 14 of 2016)
(2) Subject to the provisions of any regulations made or exemptions given under this Act, or any treaty or agreement with any foreign Government, only Saint Lucian ships may be engaged in local trade in Saint Lucian waters.
(3) A person or body corporate not qualified to own a Saint Lucian ship as provided by section 12 shall not charter or otherwise engage any Saint Lucian ship for local trade in Saint Lucian waters, except under and in accordance with such conditions as the Minister may direct or prescribe.
(4) Every Saint Lucian ship trading in any waters and every ship trading in or from Saint Lucian waters shall provide evidence of financial responsibility against risks of damage to third parties, in such a manner as may be prescribed.
(5) The master, owner or agent of any ship contravening subsections (1), (2) and (4) and any person or body corporate contravening subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and in addition the ship is liable to be detained.
(6) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) this section shall not be deemed to affect the operation of Part 6 of the Customs (Control and Management) Act.