(1) Where, without the actual fault or privity of the owner of a dock or canal or any harbour or port authority, any loss or damage is caused to any vessel or to any goods, merchandise or other things on board any vessel, that owner shall not be liable to damage beyond any aggregate amount equivalent to 70 Units of Account for each ton of the tonnage of the largest Saint Lucian ship that, at the time of such loss or damage occurring, is, or within a period of 5 years previous thereto has been, within the area over which such dock or canal owner or port or harbour authority performs any duty or exercises any power.