Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

39.   Issue and custody of certificate of registry

  1.  

    (1)   The certificate of registry shall be kept on board the ship and shall be used only for the lawful navigation of the ship and shall not be subject to retention by reason of any title, lien, charge or other interest of any owner, mortgagee or other person.

  1.  

    (2)   A person who has in his or her possession, or under his or her control, the certificate of registry of a ship shall not refuse or omit, without reasonable cause, to deliver the certificate on demand to the person entitled to the custody thereof for the purposes of the lawful navigation of the ship, or to the Registrar of Ships, any Surveyor of Ship, customs officer or other person entitled by law to require its delivery.

  1.  

    (3)   Every person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

  1.  

    (4)   If, in any proceedings in respect of an offence under this section, the Court is satisfied that the certificate is lost, the Court shall so advise the Minister in writing.