31. Damage by any vessel

If any vessel or raft fouls any lock gates, lock masonry etc, and thereby causes damage thereto, the section officer or the lock or wharf superintendent shall assess the amount of damage so caused. A notice specifying the amount of damage and demanding its payment shall be served on the master or owner of the vessel or raft and a copy of it sent simultaneously to the Sub-divisional Officer. Within one week of the service of the notice of demand, the amount shall be paid. It shall be lawful for the section officer or the lock or wharf superintendent as the case may be to seize the vessel or raft immediately the damage had been caused, and detain it until the amount is paid, the responsibility for safeguarding the contents of the vessel or raft resting solely with the owner thereof, and if within three days after the expiry of the week fixed for payment specified in the notice, the amount together with the cost of seizure or detention is not paid, the vessel or raft shall be sold with the approval of the Executive Engineer and out the sale-proceeds the section officer or the lock or wharf superintendent as the case may be shall pay to the credit of Government the amount of damage, cost of seizure, detention and sale, rendering to the owner the over plus, if any, on demand.

In cases where the vessel is carrying passengers, or perishable cargo, a permit shall be issued for the vessel to proceed to its destination.