As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 46 de 1947.
AN tACHT LOINGIS CHEANNAÍOCHTA, 1947.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
folaíonn an focal “sárú,” maidir le haon fhoráil, neamhchomhlíonadh na forála sin;
ciallaíonn an abairt “long Éireannach”
(a) long atá cláraithe sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht, nó
(b) long ar saoránach Éireannach nó saoránaigh Éireannacha a húnaer agus ná fuil cláraithe sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht ná cláraithe faoi dhlí aon Stáit eile;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an Príomh-Acht” an Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
E a bheith d'oblagáid an suaitheantas náisiúnta a chrochadh.
2.—(1) Déanfar an suaitheantas náisiúnta a chrochadh ar loing Éireannach ag dul isteach di i bport, nó ag fágáil poirt, lasmuigh den Stát, agus más long caoga tonna nó os a chionn sin de mhórthonnáiste í, ag dul isteach di i bport sa Stát nó ag fágáil poirt sa Stát.
(2) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo le bád iascaigh atá iontrálta go cuí sa chlár de bháid iascaigh agus a mbeidh litir nó litreacha agus uimhir nó uimhreacha uirthi mar is gá do réir Coda IV den Phríomh-Acht.
(3) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an tAire barántas a thabhairt d'aon chomhlucht daoine á údarú do chomhaltaí an chomhluchta suaitheantas sonraithe a chrochadh ar longa Éireannacha sonraithe in ionad an tsuaitheantais náisiúnta, agus féadfaidh an tAire, le haon bharántas den tsórt sin, coinníollacha agus srianta a chur le feidhmiú an údaráis a bhéarfar amhlaidh agus féadfaidh sé aon bharántas den tsórt sin a chúlghairm.
(4) I gcás ina raghaidh long lena mbainfidh barántas a heiseofar faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo isteach i bport, nó ina bhfágfaidh port, lasmuigh den Stát nó, más long caoga tonna nó os a chionn sin de mhórthonnáiste í, ina raghaidh isteach i bport, nó ina bhfágfaidh port, sa Stát, is comhlíonadh ar fho-alt (1) den alt seo an suaitheantas a bheas sonraithe sa bharántas a chrochadh ar an loing do réir an bharántais.
(5) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar an alt seo, beidh máistir na loinge lena mbainfidh an sárú ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
Toirmeasc ar shuaitheantas náisiúntachta, seachas an suaitheantas náisiúnta, a chrochadh.
3.—(1) Ní crochfar ar loing Éireannach aon tsuaitheantas náisiúntachta ach amháin an suaitheantas náisiúnta nó an suaitheantas sin go gciumhais bhán nó an suaitheantas sin agus é i suaitheantas a crochfar faoi údarás barántais arna eisiúint faoi fho-alt (3) d'alt 2 den Acht seo.
(2) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar an alt seo, beidh máistir na loinge lena mbainfidh an sárú ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
Long ar fostú ama nó ar fostú turais a chlárú go sealadach.
4.—Aon long nach long Éireannach agus a thógfas fostóir sa Stát ar fostú ama nó ar fostú turais, féadfar, má fhormheasann an tAire é, í a chlárú sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht, agus fanfaidh sí cláraithe amhlaidh ar feadh na tréimhse nó an turais dá mbeidh an long sin tógtha ar fostú amhlaidh agus ní fhanfaidh níos sia ná sin.
Duine den fhoirinn d'urscaoileadh ag port sa Stát.
5.—(1) Aon chomha lena mbaineann an t-alt seo is comha dleathach éifeachtach é, agus dá réir sin féadfaidh an tAire foirm lena aghaidh d'fhormheas de bhun fo-ailt (1) d'alt 114 den Phríomh-Acht.
(2) Baineann an t-alt seo le comha a bheas i gcomhaontú a dhéanfas maistir loinge leis an bhfoirinn, agus faoina bhféadfaidh an máistir duine den fhoirinn d'urscaoileadh ag port sa Stát ach fógra urscaoilte a bheith tugtha aige don duine sin cheithre huaire fichead nó níos mó roimh an urscaoileadh.
Fíneáil ar mharaí a gheofar ciontach i bheith as láthair gan cead.
6.—Aon mharaí a bheas ciontach sa chion sin bheith as láthair gan cead amhail mar sonraítear i mír (b) d'alt 221 den Phríomh-Acht dlífear, gan dochar d'fhorála na míre sin, fíneáil nach mó ná deich bpuint a chur air ar é a chiontú sa chion ar an slí achomair.
Aitheantas a thabhairt do dheimhnithe inniúlachta.
7.—(1) I gcás socrú a bheith déanta ag Rialtas Stáit eile le scrúduithe a chur ar siúl chun deimhnithe inniúlachta mar mháistrí, mátaí, nó innealltóirí ar bord loinge, nó mar scibeoirí nó dara lámha ar bord bád iascaigh a dheonadh do dhaoine agus gur deimhin leis an Aire na deimhnithe a deontar amhlaidh a bheith á ndeonadh ar fhorais a thaispeánas cáilíochta inniúlachta leordhóthanacha le haghaidh seirbhíse ar longa Éireannacha, féadfaidh an Rialtas a fhoráil le hordú go mbeidh an fheidhm chéanna laistigh den Stát ag deimhnithe a deonfar amhlaidh a bheadh acu dá mba é an tAire a dheonfadh iad faoi Chuid II nó Alt 414 (pé acu é) den Phríomh-Acht, agus beidh éifeacht laistigh den Stát ag na deimhnithe sin agus, maidir lena n-éifeacht laistigh den Stát, beid infhionruithe nó inchealuithe dá réir sin.
(2) I gcás deimhniú d'fhionraí nó a chealú de bhuaidh an ailt seo, déanfaidh sealbhóir an deimhnithe sin, más rud é ná beidh an deimhniú i seilbh an Aire, é a sheachadadh don Aire, agus aon deimhniú a fionrófar nó a cealófar amhlaidh cuirfidh an tAire thar n-ais é chun an údaráis d'eisigh é maraon le tuarascáil i dtaobh na n-imthosca faoina ndearnadh an fionraí nó an cealú sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, aon ordú a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
Ordachán do chur sriain le clárú loinge.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire a ordú ná déanfar long shonraithe ná aon long d'aicme shonraithe a chlárú ag port sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht ach amháin le formheas an Aire.
(2) Ní déanfar aon long lena mbainfidh ordachán faoin alt seo a chlárú ag port sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht ach amháin le formheas an Aire.
Rialacháin do chur sriain le dúnadh nó aistriú cláraitheachta.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire a fhoráil le rialacháin ná dúnfar ná ná haistreofar go dtí port lasmuigh den Stát an chláraitheacht sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht ar loing shonraithe ná ar aon loing d'aicme shonraithe, ach amháin le formheas an Aire sin.
(2) Ní dúnfar ná ní haistreofar go dtí port lasmuigh den Stát an chláraitheacht sa Stát faoin bPríomh-Acht ar loing lena mbainfidh rialacháin faoin alt seo, ach amháin le formheas an Aire.
Srian le haistriú nó morgáistiú.
10.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh duine ar bith aon long Éireannach ná aon scair i loing Éireannach d'aistriú ná a mhorgáistiú, ná aon mhorgáiste ar loing Éireannach ná aon scair i loing Éireannach d'aistriú, mura rud é—
(a) gur idirbheart é a fhormheasfas an tAire, nó
(b) gur idirbheart é a dearbhófar le rialacháin faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo a bheith ina idirbheart eiscithe chun críocha an ailt seo.
(2) Más rud é go bhforghníomhófar ionstraim a airbheartós a bheith ina haistriú, ina morgáiste, nó ina haistriú morgáiste ar loing Éireannach nó ar scair sa chéanna agus ná beidh an t-idirbheart lena mbainfidh an ionstraim formheasta ag an Aire ná nach idirbheart é a bheas dearfa le rialacháin faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo a bheith ina idirbheart eiscithe chun críocha an ailt seo, beidh an ionstraim ar neamhní.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire a dhearbhú, le rialacháin, go mbeidh aon idirbheart—
(a) is aistriú, morgáiste nó aistriú morgáiste inar duine nó daoine acu seo a leanas an t-aistreoir nó an morgáisteoir agus an t-aistrí nó an morgáistí:
(i) duine a bhfuil gnáthchónaí air sa Stát,
(ii) cuideachta a corpraíodh sa Stát, nó
(b) is aistriú, morgáiste nó aistriú morgáiste ar loing d'aicme shonraithe nó ar aon scair sa chéanna,
ina idirbheart eiscithe chun críocha an ailt seo.
Rialacháin i dtaobh sábháltachta.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun sábháltacht árthach lena mbainfidh an t-alt seo d'áirithiú, agus féadfaidh pé forála forlíontacha nó fo-ghabhálacha is cuí leis a chur sna rialacháin sin.
(2) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo feidhm a bheith acu maidir leis an Stát ar fad nó cuid de agus féadfar rialacháin éagsúla a dhéanamh do choda éagsúla den Stát.
(3) Féadfar, go sonrach, socruithe a dhéanamh le rialacháin faoin alt seo d'aon ní acu seo a leanas:
(a) árthaí a cheadúnú,
(b) toirmeasc ar phaisnéirí d'iompar in árthaí ná beidh ceadúnaithe,
(c) coinníollacha a chur ag gabháil le ceadúnais lena n-áirítear go sonrach coinníollacha maidir leis na nithe seo a leanas:
(i) na caighdeáin mhuir-acmhainneachta nach foláir a choimeád,
(ii) na gléasanna tarrthála agus na gléasanna múchta tóiteán a hiomprófar,
(iii) an uimhir uasta paisnéirí a hiomprófar,
(iv) na teoranta ar laistigh díobh a féadfar, nó na bealaí taistil ar a bhféadfar, árthaí d'úsáid chun paisnéirí d'iompar,
(v) na trátha ar lena linn a féadfar árthaí d'oibriú,
(d) daoine i bhfeighil árthaí a cheadúnú,
(e) toirmeasc ar phaisnéirí d'iompar in árthaí ar daoine ná beidh ceadúnaithe a bheas ina bhfeighil,
(f) suirbhéireacht a dhéanamh ar árthaí,
(g) ceadúnais a chealú agus d'fhionraí.
(4) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar aon rialachán faoin alt seo, beidh máistir agus únaer an árthaigh lena mbainfidh an sárú ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus, ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur ar gach duine acu.
(5) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar aon choinníoll dá mbeidh ag gabháil le ceadúnas a heiseofar faoi rialacháin faoin alt seo, beidh sealbhóir an cheadúnais ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air.
(6) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, táillí a cheapadh a bheas le n-íoc i leith suirbhéireachta a déanfar ar árthaí de bhun na rialachán agus i leith ceadúnas a deonfar faoi na rialacháin.
(7) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir le táillí faoi rialacháin a déanfar faoin alt seo, agus bailedfar gach táille den tsórt sin agus glacfar iad i pé slí a ordós an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham agus íocfar isteach sa Stát-Chiste iad, nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste iad, do réir ordachán an Aire sin.
(8) Beidh feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le hárthaí a bheas á n-úsáid chun paisnéirí d'iompar ar luach saothair, ach amháin aon árthach den tsórt sin in aon cheann de na haicmí a bheas sonraithe sna rialacha a bheas i bhfeidhm i dtosach feidhme an Achta seo faoi alt 427 den Phríomh-Acht.
Rialacháin maidir le leas agus coinníollacha fostaíochta maraithe.
12.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, pé socrú is cuí leis a dhéanamh chun leasa maraithe ar longa Éireannacha nó ag poirt sa Stát nó chun coinníollacha oiriúnacha fostaíochta do mharaithe d'áirithiú ar longa Éireannacha, agus féadfaidh sé aon tsocrú forlíontach nó fo-ghabhálach is cuí leis a chur in aon rialacháin den tsórt sin.
(2) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo baint a bheith acu go sonrach le nithe ar bith a moladh le haon cheann de na conbhinsiúin a sonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo, is é sin, na conbhinsiúin ar glacadh leo ag an ochtú siosón fichead den Chomhdháil Eadarnáisiúnta um Oibreachas a comóradh i Seattle, Washington, Stáit Aontaithe Ameirice, i mí Meithimh, 1946.
(3) I gcás rialacháin faoin alt seo do bhaint le ní ar bith a moladh le haon chomhaontú nó conbhinsiún eadarnáisiúnta a fhorálas gur tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh a déanfar socruithe ag tabhairt éifeachta dó maidir leis an ní sin, glacfaidh an tAire comhairle amhlaidh sar a ndéanfaidh sé na rialacháin.
(4) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar aon rialachán faoin alt seo, beidh máistir agus únaer na loinge lena mbainfidh an sárú agus an té a shárós an rialachán ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus, ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur ar gach duine acu.
Rialacha i dtaobh billí ládála.
13.—(1) Faoi réir forál an ailt seo, beidh éifeacht ag na rialacha i dtaobh billí ládála atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo (dá ngairmtear “na Rialacha” san alt seo) maidir le hearraí d'iompar de mhuir i longa a bheas ag iompar earraí ó aon phort sa Stát go dtí port ar bith eile laistigh nó lasmuigh den Stát.
(2) Ní hintuigthe as aon chonradh chun earraí d'iompar de mhuir lena mbainfidh na Rialacha iompróir na n-earraí do thabhairt aon ghealltanais iomláin long mhuir-acmhainneach a sholáthar.
(3) Gach bille ládála, nó doiciméid teidil dá shamhail, a heiseofar sa Stát agus ina mbeidh aon chonradh, nó is fianaise ar aon chonradh, lena mbainfidh na Rialacha beidh ráiteas sainráite ann go mbeidh éifeacht aige faoi réir forál na Rialacha mar bheirtear feidhm dóibh leis an Acht seo.
(4) Maidir le hearraí d'iompar de mhuir i longa a bheas ag iompar earraí ó aon phort sa Stát go dtí aon phort eile sa Stát nó go dtí port sa Bhreatain Mhóir nó i dTuaisceart Éireann, beidh éifeacht ag Airteagal VI de na Rialacha amhail is dá mba d'earraí de chineál ar bith in ionad d'earraí áirithe a bhí tagairt san Airteagal agus amhail is dá mbeadh an proviso a ghabhas leis an dara mír den Airteagal ar lár.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san alt seo ná sna Rialacha difir d'oibriú alt 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 502 agus 503 den Phríomh-Acht arna leasú le haon achtachán iardain, ná d'oibriú aon achtacháin eile a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire ag teorannú dliteanais únaerí árthaí farraige.
(6) Ní bhainfidh na Rialacha, de bhuaidh an ailt seo, le haon chonradh chun earraí d'iompar de mhuir a déanfar roimh pé lá, nach luaithe ná an chéad lá d'Eanáir, 1948, a cheapfas an tAire, le hordú, chun críocha an fho-ailt seo, ná ní bhainfid le haon bhille ládála ná doiciméid teidil dá shamhail a bhéarfar amach, de bhun aon chonartha mar adúradh, pé acu roimh an lá a ceapfar amhlaidh nó ina a dhiaidh sin é.
Athghairm.
14.—Athghairmtear leis seo ailt 73 agus 74 den Phríomh-Acht.
Gearrtheideal, tosach feidhme, léiriú agus comhlua.
15.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1947, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá a cheapfas an tAire le hordú.
(3) Léireofar mar aon ní amháin an tAcht seo agus na hAchta Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1939, ach beidh éifeacht aige d'ainneoin aon ní sna hAchta sin.
(4) Féadfar na hAchta Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1947, a ghairm de na hAchta Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1939, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL.
Conbhinsiúin ar glacadh leo ag an ochtú sioson fichead den Chomhdháil Eadarnáisiúnta um Oibreachas a comóradh i Seattle, Washington, Stáit Aontaithe Ameirice, i mí Meithimh, 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Bia agus Lónadóireacht (Foirne Long), 1946.
An Chonbhinsiún um Dheimhniú Cócairí Long, 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Shlándáil Shóisialach (Farraigeoirí), 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Pinsin Farraigeoirí, 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Shaoire le Páigh (Farraigeoirí), 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Scrúduithe Dochtúra (Farraigeoirí), 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Dheimhniú Máirnéalach Infheadhma, 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Chóiríocht Fhoirne, 1946.
An Conbhinsiún um Páigh, Uaire Oibre agus Foireannú (Farraige), 1946.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL.
Rialacha i dTaobh Billi Ladala.
Airteagal I.—Mínithe:
Sna Rialacha seo tá leis na habairtí seo a leanas na bríonna a bheirtear dóibh faoi seach leis seo, is é sin le rá—
(a) Folaíonn “iompróir” an t-únaer nó an fostóir a dhéanfas conradh iompair le loingseoir;
(b) Ní bhaineann “conradh iompair” ach le conartha iompair lena ngabhann bille ládála nó aon doiciméid teidil dá shamhail sin, sa mhéid go mbaineann an doiciméid sin le hiompar earraí de mhuir, lena n-áirítear aon bhille ládála nó aon doiciméid dá shamhail mar adúradh a heisítear faoi réim nó de bhun conartha fhostuithe ón am a rialaíos an bille ládála nó an doiciméid teidil dá shamhail sin an caidreamh idir iompróir agus duine is sealbhóir ar an gcéanna;
(c) Folaíonn “earraí” earraí, bathair, marsantais, agus airceadail de gach aon tsaghas, ach amháin ainmhithe beo agus last adeirtear sa chonradh iompair a bheith á iompar ar an leibhinn agus a hiompraítear amhlaidh;
(d) Ciallaíonn “long” aon árthach a húsáidtear d'iompar earraí de mhuir;
(e) Folaíonn “iompar earraí” an tréimhse ón am a lódáltar na hearraí ar an loing go dtí an t-am a dílódáltar aisti iad.
Airteagal II.—Fiontair:
Faoi réir forál Airteagail VI, faoi gach conradh iompair earraí de mhuir beidh an t-iompróir, maidir le lódáil, láimhsiú, stuáil, iompar, coimeád, aireachasú, agus dílódáil na n-earraí sin, faoi na freagarthachta agus na dliteanais, agus i dteideal na gceart agus na saoirsí atá leagtha amach anseo ina dhiaidh seo.
Airteagal III.—Freagarthachta agus Dliteanais:
1. Beidh de cheangal ar an iompróir, roimh an turas agus ina thosach, dícheall cuí a dhéanamh chun—
(a) An long a dhéanamh muir-acmhainneach;
(b) An long d'fhoireannú, a ghléasadh, agus a lónú;
(c) Boilg na loinge, na seomraí cuisníochta agus fionnuarais, agus gach ball eile sa loing ina n-iompraítear earraí, a dhéanamh oiriúnach agus sábhálta chun iad a ghlacadh, d'iompar agus a chaomhaint.
2. Faoi réir forál Airteagail IV, déanfaidh an t-iompróir na hearraí a bheas á n-iompar a lódáil, a láimhsiú, a stuáil, d'iompar, a choimeád, d'aireachasú agus a dhílódáil go cuí agus go cúramach.
3. Tar éis dó na hearraí a ghlacadh faoina chúram, déanfaidh an t-iompróir, nó an máistir nó gníomhaire an iompróra, ar an loingseoir dá iarraidh sin air, bille ládála a thabhairt don loingseoir a thaispeánfas, i measc rudaí eile,—
(a) Na príomh-mharcanna is gá chun na hearraí d'aithint mar bheas an céanna tugtha i scríbhinn ag an loingseoir sar a dtosnaítear ar lódáil na n-earraí sin, ar choinníoll go ndéanfar na marcanna sin a stampáil, nó a thaispeáint go soiléir ar shlí eile, ar na hearraí má bhíd gan clúdach, nó ar na cásanna nó na clúdaigh ina mbeidh na hearraí sin, ar chuma a bhéarfadh de ghnáth go mbeidís so-léite go dtí deireadh an turais;
(b) An uimhir de phacáistí nó de phíosaí, nó an chainníocht, nó an meáchan, do réir mar bheas, amhail mar bheas sin tugtha ag an loingseoir i scríbhinn;
(c) An t-ord agus an bhail a dhealraíos a bheith ar na hearraí;
Ar choinníoll ná beidh de cheangal ar aon iompróir, máistir, ná gníomhaire don iompróir, aon mharcanna, uimhir, cainníocht, ná meáchan a lua ná a thaispeáint ar an mbille ládála a mbeidh cúis réasúnach amhrais aige ná léiríonn na hearraí a fuarthas iarbhír nó ná raibh caoi réasúnach aige chun a bhfíoruithe.
4. Beidh bille ládála den tsórt sin ina fhianaise prima facie go bhfuair an t-iompróir na hearraí mar bheid tuairiscithe ann do réir míre 3 (a), (b) agus (c).
5. Is tuigthe an loingseoir a bheith tar éis ráthaíocht a thabhairt don iompróir ar na marcanna, an uimhir, an chainníocht, agus an meáchan, mar bheid sin tugtha aige, a bheith cruinn tráth an loingsithe, agus slánóidh an loingseoir an t-iompróir i gcoinne an chaillteanais, na ndamáistí, agus na gcostas uile a éireos nó a thiocfas de neamhchruinnis sna sonraí sin. Ní dhéanfaidh ceart an iompróra chun na slánaíochta sin teora a chur in aon tslí lena fhreagarthacht agus a dhliteanas faoin gconradh iompair do dhuine ar bith seachas an loingseoir.
6. Mura ndéantar fógra i dtaobh caillteanais nó damáiste agus cinéil ghinearálta an chaillteanais nó an damáiste sin a thabhairt i scríbhinn don iompróir nó dá ghníomhaire ag an bport dílódála roimh na hearraí d'aistriú, nó le linn iad d'aistriú, chun coimeád an duine a mbeidh teideal aige go seachadfar chuige iad faoin gconradh iompair, nó, mura léir an caillteanas nó an damáiste laistigh de thrí lá, beidh an t-aistriú sin ina fhianaise prima facie gur sheachaid an t-iompróir na hearraí mar bheid tuairiscithe sa bhile ládála.
Ní gá an fógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt má rinneadh suirbhéireacht nó iniúchadh i gcomhar ar staid na n-earraí an tráth a fuarthas iad.
In aon chás fuasclófar an t-iompróir agus an long ó gach dliteanas i leith caillteanais nó damáiste mura dtugtar agra chun cinn laistigh de bhliain tar éis na hearraí a sheachadadh nó tar éis an dáta ar ar chóir na hearraí a sheachadadh.
I gcás ina dtarlóidh aon chaillteanas nó damáiste nó ina measfar é a tharlachtaint bhéarfaidh an t-iompróir agus an glacadóir gach saoráid réasúnach dá chéile chun na hearraí d'iniúchadh agus a chomhaireamh.
7. Tar éis na hearraí a lódáil is é bille ládála a eiseos an t-iompróir nó an máistir nó gníomhaire an iompróra don loingseoir, má iarrann an loingseoir sin, ná bille ládála “loingsithe,” ar choinníoll go ndéanfaidh an loingseoir má bhíonn aon doiciméid teidil chun na n-earraí sin tógtha suas roimhe sin aige, an céanna a ghéilleadh in aghaidh eisiúna an bhille ládála “loingsithe,” ach, más rogha leis an iompróir, féadfaidh an t-iompróir, an máistir nó an gníomhaire an doiciméid sin a nótú, ag an bport loingsithe, le hainm nó le hainmneacha na loinge nó na long ar ar loingsíodh na hearraí agus le dáta nó dátaí an loingsithe, agus, arna nótú amhlaidh, is tuigthe chun críocha an Airteagail seo gur bille ládála “loingsithe” í.
8. Aon chlásal, cúnant nó comhaontú i gconradh iompair a fhuasclós an t-iompróir nó an long ó dhliteanas i leith cailliúna nó damáiste d'earraí nó maidir le hearraí de dheasca mainneachtana, lochta nó faillí sna dualgais agus sna hoblagáidí a foráltar san Airteagal seo nó a laghdós an dliteanas sin ar shlí seachas mar foráltar sna Rialacha seo, beidh sé ar neambhrí agus ar neamhní agus gan éifeacht ar bith.
Is tuigthe gur clásal ag fuascailt an iompróra ó dhliteanas clásal tairbhe árachais nó clásal dá shamhail.
Airteagal IV.—Cearta agus Saoirsí:
1. Ní bheidh an t-iompróir ná an long faoi dhliteanas i leith caillteanais ná damáiste a éireos nó a thiocfas de neamhmuiracmhainneacht muran é is siocair leis an neamh-muiracmhainneacht sin gan an t-iompróir do dhéanamh díchill chuí chun an long a dhéanamh muiracmhainneach, agus chun a áirithiú an long a bheith foirinnithe, gléasta agus lónaithe go ceart, agus chun boilg na luinge agus na seomraí cuisníochta agus fionnuarais agus gach ball eile sa loing ina n-iompraítear earraí a dhéanamh oiriúnach agus sábhálta chun na hearraí a ghlacadh, d'iompar agus a chaomhaint do réir forál míre 1 d'Airteagal III.
Aon uair a tharlós caillteanas nó damáiste de dheasca neamhmuiracmhainneachta is ar an iompróir nó ar pé duine eile a bheas ag éileamh saoirse faoin alt seo a bheas sé de mhortabháil a chruthú go ndearnadh dícheall cuí.
2. Ní bheidh an t-iompróir ná an long freagarthach i gcaillteanas ná i ndamáiste a éireos nó a thiocfas de dheasca aon ní acu seo a leanas—
(a) Gníomh, faillí nó mainneachtain an mháistir, an mhuirigh, an phíolóta nó seirbhíseach an iompróra maidir le loingsiú nó bainistí na loinge;
(b) Tóiteán, mura trí fhaillí nó rannpháirtíocht an iompróra féin a tharlós sé;
(c) Guaiseanna, contúirtí agus tionóiscí na farraige nó uiscí intseolta eile;
(d) Foiche Dé;
(e) Gníomh cogaidh;
(f) Gníomh namhad poiblí;
(g) Prionsaí, rialaitheoirí nó daoine a chur faoi ghabháil nó faoi shrianadh, nó urghabháil a dhéanamh faoi phróis dlíthiúil;
(h) Srianta coraintín;
(i) Gníomh nó neamhghníomh ag an loingseoir nó ag únaer na n-earraí, a ghníomhaire nó a ionadaí;
(j) Aon stailc nó frithdhúnadh nó saotharstad nó srianadh saothair ó chúis ar bith, páirteach nó ginearálta;
(k) Aon chíréib nó suathadh síbhialta;
(l) Iarrtháil nó iarracht tarrthála ar dhuine nó ar dhaoine nó ar mhaoin ar farraige;
(m) Traothadh toirte nó meáchain nó aon chaillteanas nó damáiste eile a éireos de deascaibh éalainge, airíon nó lochta is dual do na hearraí;
(n) Neamhdhóthanacht pacála;
(o) Neamhdhóthanacht nó neamhdhiongbháltacht marcanna;
(p) Ealaing folaigh nach infhionnta d'ainneoin díchill chuí;
(q) Aon chúis eile a éireos gan faillí ná rannpháirtíocht an iompróra, agus gan faillí ná mainneachtain ghníomhairí nó seirbhíseach an iompróra, ach is ar an duine a bheas ag éileamh sochar na heisceachta seo a bheas de mhortabháil a chruthú nár chuidigh faillí nn rannpháirtíocht an iompróra ná faillí ná mainá-eachtain ghníomhairí nó seirbhíseach an iompróra leis an gcaillteanas ná an damáiste.
3. Ní bheidh an loingseoir freagarthach in aon chaillteanas ná damáiste a fhuilingeos an t-iompróir nó an long agus a éireos nó a thiocfas de chúis ar bith gan gníomh, faillí ná mainneachtain an loingseora, a ghníomhairí ná a sheirbhíseach.
4. Ní tuigthe gur sárú ná briseadh ar na Rialacha seo ná ar an gconradh iompair aon fhordul chun tarrtháil nó iarracht tarrthála a dhéanamh ar dhuine nó ar dhaoine nó ar mhaoin ar farraige ná fós aon fhordul réasúnach, agus ní bheidh an t-iompróir faoi dhliteanas maidir le haon chaillteanas nó damáiste a thiocfas de sin.
5. In aon chás ní bheidh an t-iompróir ná an long faoi dhliteanas ná ní thiocfaid faoi dhliteanas maidir le haon chaillteanas nó damáiste d'earraí, nó i ndáil le hearraí, méid is mó ná £100 an pacáiste nó an t-aonad nó comhoiread na suime sin in airgeadra eile, mura rud é go mbeidh cineál agus luach na n-earraí sin dearbhaithe ag an loingseoir roimh iad a loingsiú agus curtha isteach sa bhille ládála.
Is fianaise prima facie an dearbhú seo má bhíonn sé corpraithe sa bhille ládála, ach ní bheidh sé ina cheangal críochnaitheach ar an iompróir.
Má dhéanann an t-iompróir, an máistir nó gníomhaire an iompróra agus an loingseoir comhaontú chuige sin, féadfar uasmhéid eile a cheapadh seachas an uasmhéid a luaitear sa mhír seo, ach ar choinníoll gur lú an uasmhéid a ceapfar amhlaidh ná an figiúir thuasluaite.
In aon chás, ní bheidh an t-iompróir ná an long freagarthach in aon chaillteanas ná damáiste d'earraí ná i ndáil le hearraí más rud é gur thug an loingseoir, go feasach, míráiteas ar chineál nó luach na n-earraí sin sa bhille ládála.
6. I gcás aon earraí de chineál adhantach, pléascach nó contúirteach, nár thoiligh an t-iompróir, an máistir nó gníomhaire an iompróra, i bhfios a gcineál agus a gcáilíochta, iad a loingsiú féadfaidh an t-iompróir, aon uair roimh dhílódáil, na hearraí sin a chur i dtír in aon áit nó iad a dhíthiú nó iad a dhéanamh neamhbhaolach gan cúiteamh agus is ar loingseoir na n-earraí sin a bheas an dliteanas maidir le gach damáiste agus costas a éireos nó a thiocfas go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach d'aon loingsiú den tsórt sin.
I gcás aon earraí den tsórt sin a loingseofar leis an bhfios agus leis an toiliú sin a theacht chun bheith ina gcontúirt don loing nó don last, féadfaidh an t-iompróir, sa tslí chéanna, na hearraí sin a chur i dtír in aon áit nó iad a dhíthiú nó iad a dhéanamh neamhbhaolach gan dliteanas ar bith a bheith ar an iompróir dá chionn sin ach amháin maidir le muirchaill ilpháirteach, más ann.
Airteagal V.—Cearta agus Saoirsí a ghéilleadh, agus freagarthachta agus dliteanais a mhéadú:
Beidh de chead ag iompróir a chearta agus a shaoirsí go léir nó aon chuid díobh a ghéilleadh go hiomlán nó go páirteach nó aon chuid dá fhreagarthachta nó dá dhliteanais a mhéadú faoi na Rialacha atá in aon Airteagal acu seo, ar choinníoll go gcorprófar an géilleadh nó an méadú sin sa bhille ládála a heiseofar chun an loingseora.
Ní bheidh feidhm ag forála na Rialacha seo maidir le conartha fostuithe, ach má heisítear billí ládála i gcás loinge faoi chonradh fostuithe ní foláir na billí ládála sin a bheith do réir téarmaí na Rialacha seo. Ní tuigthe aon ní sna Rialacha seo a bheith dá chosc aon fhoráil dleathach maidir le muirchaill ilpháirteach a chur i mbille ládála.
Airteagal VI.—Coinníollacha Speisialta:
D'ainneoin forál na nAirteagal sin roimhe seo, beidh de chead, maidir le haon earraí áirithe, ag iompróir, ag máistir nó ag gníomhaire an iompróra, agus ag loingseoir aon chomhaontú a dhéanamh in aon téarmaí maidir le freagarthacht agus dliteanas an iompróra i dtaobh na n-earraí sin, agus maidir le cearta agus saoirsí an iompróra i leith na n-earraí sin, nó a oblagáid i dtaobh muiracmhainneachta, sa mhéid ná beidh an comha seo contrártha do bheartas poiblí, nó do chúram nó dícheall seirbhíseach nó gníomhairí an iompróra maidir le lódáil, láimhsiú, stuáil, iompar, coimeád, aireachasú agus dílódáil na n-earraí a hiompraítear de mhuir, ar choinníoll nár heisíodh agus ná heiseofar aon bhille ládála sa chás seo agus go gcorprófar na téarmaí ar comhaontaíodh orthu in admháil a bheas ina doiciméid neamhintráchta agus a bheas marcálta amhlaidh.
Aon chomhaontú a déanfar amhlaidh beidh lán-éifeacht dlíthiúil aige:
Ar choinníoll ná bainfidh an tAirteagal seo le gnáth-loingsithe tráchtála a déanfar i ngnáth-chúrsa trádála, ach go mbainfidh sé amháin le loingsithe eile ina mbeidh nádúir nó staid na maoine a bheas le hiompar nó ina mbeidh na himthosca, na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha faoina ndéanfar an t-iompar de shaghas a bheir gur ceart comhaontú speisialta a dhéanamh ina leith.
Airteagal VII.—Teoranta le Feidhm na Rialacha:
Ní choiscfidh aon ní dá bhfuil anseo iompróir ná loingseoir ó aon chomhaontú, comha, coinníoll, forcoimeádas nó eisceacht a dhéanamh maidir le freagarthacht agus dliteanas an iompróra nó na loinge i leith caillteanas nó damáiste nó i ndáil le coimeád agus aireachasú agus láimhsiú earraí, roimh iad a lódáil ar an loing ina mbeid á n-iompar de mhuir agus tar éis iad a dhílódáil aisti.
Airteagal VIII.—Teora le Dliteanas.
Ní dhéanfaidh forála na Rialacha seo aon difir do chearta ná d'oblagáidí an iompróra faoi aon reacht a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire agus a bhainfeas le dliteanas únaeraí árthach farraige a theorannú.
Number 46 of 1947.
MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1947.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Number 46 of 1947.
MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1947.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the word “contravention” includes, in relation to any provision, failure to comply with that provision;
the expression “Irish ship” means
(a) a ship which is registered in the State under the Principal Act, or
(b) a ship of which the owner is one or more than one Irish citizen and which is neither registered in the State under the Principal Act nor registered under the law, of any other State;
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “the Principal Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
Obligation to hoist the national flag.
2.—(1) The national flag shall be hoisted on an Irish ship on entering or leaving a port outside the State and, if the ship is of fifty tons gross tonnage or upwards, on entering or leaving a port in the State.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a fishing boat duly entered in the fishing boat register and lettered and numbered as required by Part IV of the Principal Act.
(3) The Minister may, notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, issue to any body of persons a warrant authorising members of the body to hoist on specified Irish ships a specified flag in lieu of the national flag, and the Minister may by any such warrant impose conditions and restrictions on the exercise of the authority thereby conferred and may revoke any such warrant.
(4) Where a ship to which a warrant issued under subsection (3) of this section relates enters or leaves a port outside the State or, if the ship is of fifty tons gross tonnage or upwards, enters or leaves a port in the State, the hoisting on the ship in accordance with the warrant of the flag specified in the warrant shall have effect as a compliance with subsection (1) of this section.
(5) Where there is a contravention of this section, the master of the ship concerned shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
Prohibition on hoisting flag distinctive of nationality other than the national flag.
3.—(1) There shall not be hoisted on an Irish ship any flag distinctive of nationality other than the national flag or that flag with a white border or that flag when comprised in a flag hoisted under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (3) of section 2 of this Act.
(2) Where there is a contravention of this section, the master of the ship concerned shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
Temporary registration of ship on time or voyage charter.
4.—A ship which is not an Irish ship and which is taken on time or voyage charter by a charterer in the State may, if the Minister so approves, be registered in the State under the Principal Act and shall remain so registered during the period or voyage for which the ship is so taken on charter and no longer.
Discharge of member of crew at port in the State.
5.—(1) A stipulation to which this section applies shall be a lawful and effectual stipulation, and a form therefor may accordingly be approved by the Minister pursuant to subsection (1) of section 114 of the Principal Act.
(2) This section applies to a stipulation, in an agreement entered into by the master of a ship with the crew, that the master may discharge a member of the crew at a port in the State subject to his having given notice of discharge to such member twenty-four hours or more before the discharge.
Fine on conviction of offence of absence without leave.
6.—A seaman who is guilty of the offence of absence without leave specified in paragraph (b) of section 221 of the Principal Act shall, without prejudice to the provisions of that paragraph, be liable on summary conviction of the offence to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
Recognition of certificates of competency.
7.—(1) Where the Government of another State provide for the holding of examinations for the grant of certificates of competency as masters, mates or engineers on board ship or as skippers or second hands on board fishing boats and the Minister is satisfied that the certificates so granted are granted on such principles as to show qualifications of competency which are adequate qualifications for service in Irish ships, the Government may by order provide that certificates so granted shall be of the same force within the State as if they had been granted by the Minister under Part II or section 414 (as the case may be) of the Principal Act, and such certificates shall have effect within the State and shall be liable, as respects their effect within the State, to suspension or cancellation accordingly.
(2) Where a certificate is suspended or cancelled by virtue of this section, it shall, if it is not in the possession of the Minister, be delivered by the holder to the Minister, and the Minister shall return any certificate so suspended or cancelled to the authority by whom it was issued together with a report on the circumstances of the suspension or cancellation.
(3) The Government may by order amend or revoke any order previously made under this section.
Direction restricting registration of ship.
8.—(1) The Minister may direct that a specified ship or any ship of a specified class shall not be registered at a port in the State under the Principal Act save with the approval of the Minister.
(2) A ship to which a direction under this section relates shall not be registered at a port in the State under the Principal Act save with the approval of the Minister.
Regulations restricting closing or transfer of registry.
9.—(1) The Minister may provide by regulations that the registry in the State under the Principal Act of a specified ship or of any ship of a specified class shall not be closed or transferred to a port outside the State save with the approval of the Minister.
(2) The registry in the State under the Principal Act of a ship to which regulations under this section relate shall not be closed or transferred to a port outside the State save with the approval of the Minister.
Restriction οn transfer or mortgage.
10.—(1) A person shall not transfer or mortgage, or transfer any mortgage of, any Irish ship or any share in an Irish ship unless—
(a) the transaction is approved of by the Minister, or
(b) the transaction is a transaction declared by regulations under subsection (3) of this section to be an excepted transaction for the purposes of this section.
(2) If an instrument is executed which purports to be a transfer, mortgage or transfer of a mortgage of an Irish ship or a share therein and the transaction to which the instrument relates is neither approved of by the Minister nor a transaction declared by regulations under subsection (3) of this section to be an excepted transaction for the purposes of this section, the instrument shall be void.
(3) The Minister may by regulations declare that a transaction which—
(a) is a transfer, mortgage or transfer of a mortgage in which both the transferor or mortgagor and the transferee or mortgagee is one or more than one of the following:
(i) a person ordinarily resident in the State,
(ii) a company incorporated in the State, or
(b) is a transfer, mortgage or transfer of a mortgage of a ship of a specified class or any share therein,
shall be an excepted transaction for the purposes of this section.
Regulations with respect to safety.
11.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for securing the safety of vessels to which this section applies, and may include in such regulations any supplemental or ancillary provisions which he considers proper.
(2) Regulations under this section may apply to the whole of the State or to part thereof and different regulations may be made for different parts of the State.
(3) Regulations under this section may, in particular, provide for any of the following matters:
(a) licensing of vessels,
(b) prohibition of carriage of passengers in vessels not licensed,
(c) attachment of conditions to licences, including, in particular, conditions with respect to.
(i) standards of seaworthiness to be maintained,
(ii) life saving and fire fighting appliances to be carried,
(iii) maximum number of passengers to be carried,
(iv) limits within or routes on which vessels may be used for the carriage of passengers,
(v) times within which vessels may operate,
(d) licensing of persons in charge of vessels,
(e) prohibition of carriage of passengers in vessels in charge of persons not licensed,
(f) surveys of vessels,
(g) cancellation and suspension of licences.
(4) Where there is a contravention of any regulation under this section, the master and the owner of the vessel concerned shall each be guilty of an offence under this section and liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(5) Where there is a contravention of any condition attached to a licence issued under regulations under this section, the holder of the licence shall be guilty of an offence under this section and liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
(6) Regulations under this section may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, fix fees to be paid in respect of surveys of vessels carried out pursuant to the regulations and in respect of licences granted under the regulations.
(7) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of fees under regulations made under this section and all such fees shall be collected and taken in such manner as the Minister for Finance directs from time to time and shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of that Minister.
(8) This section applies to vessels used for carrying passengers for reward, exclusive of any such vessel which is in any of the classes specified in the rules in force at the commencement of this Act under section 427 of the Principal Act.
Regulations with respect to welfare and conditions of employment.
12.—(1) The Minister may by regulations make such provisions as he thinks proper for promoting the welfare of seamen in Irish ships or at ports within the State or for maintaining in Irish ships suitable conditions of employment for seamen, and may include in any such regulations any supplemental or ancillary provisions which he considers proper.
(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, relate to any matters recommended by any of the conventions specified in the First Schedule to this Act, being the conventions which were adopted at the twenty-eighth session of the International Labour Conference held at Seattle, Washington, United States of America, in the month of June, 1946.
(3) Where regulations under this section relate to any matters recommended by any international agreement or convention which stipulates that provisions giving effect to it as respects that matter shall be made after consultations, the Minister shall, before making the regulations, have those consultations.
(4) Where there is a contravention of any regulation under this section, the master and the owner of the ship concerned and the person contravening the regulation shall each be guilty of an offence under this section and liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
Rules relating to bills of lading.
13.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the rules relating to bills of lading set out in the Second Schedule to this Act (in this section referred to as “the Rules”) shall have effect in relation to the carriage of goods by sea in ships carrying goods from any port in the State to any other port whether in or outside the State.
(2) There shall not be implied in any contract for the carriage of goods by sea to which the Rules apply any absolute undertaking by the carrier of the goods to provide a seaworthy ship.
(3) Every bill of lading, or similar document of title, issued in the State which contains or is evidence of any contract to which the Rules apply shall contain an express statement that it is to have effect subject to the provisions of the Rules as applied by this Act.
(4) Article VI of the Rules shall, in relation to the carriage of goods by sea in ships carrying goods from any port in the State to any other port in the State or to a port in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, have effect as though the Article referred to goods of any class instead of to particular goods and as though the proviso to the second paragraph of the Article were omitted.
(5) Nothing in this section or the Rules shall affect the operation of sections 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 502 and 503 of the Principal Act, as amended by any subsequent enactment, or the operation of any other enactment for the time being in force limiting the liability of the owners of seagoing vessels.
(6) The Rules shall not by virtue of this section apply to any contract for the carriage of goods by sea made before such day, not being earlier than the first day of January, 1948, as the Minister by order appoints for the purposes of this subsection, nor to any bill of lading or similar document of title issued, whether before or after the day so appointed, in pursuance of any such contract as aforesaid.
Repeals.
14.—Sections 73 and 74 of the Principal Act are hereby repealed.
Short title, commencement, construction and collective citation.
15.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Merchant Shipping Act, 1947.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister appoints by order.
(3) This Act shall be construed as one with the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1939, but shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in those Acts.
(4) The Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1939, and this Act may be cited together as the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1947.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Conventions adopted at the twenty-eighth session of the International Labour Conference held at Seattle, Washington, United States of America, in the month of June, 1946.
Food and Catering (Ships' Crews) Convention, 1946.
Certification of Ships' Cooks Convention, 1946.
Social Security (Seafarers) Convention, 1946.
Seafarers' Pensions Convention, 1946.
Paid Vacations (Seafarers) Convention, 1946.
Medical Examinations (Seafarers) Convention, 1946.
Certification of Able Seamen Convention, 1946.
Accommodation of Crews Convention, 1946.
Wages, Hours of Work and Manning (Sea) Convention, 1946.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Rules Relating to Bills of Lading.
Article I. — Definitions:
In these Rules the following expressions have the meanings hereby assigned to them respectively, that is to say—
(a) “Carrier” includes the owner or the charterer who enters into a contract of carriage with a shipper;
(b) “Contract of carriage” applies only to contracts of carriage covered by a bill of lading or any similar document of title, in so far as such document relates to the carriage of goods by sea, including any bill of lading or any similar document as aforesaid issued under or pursuant to a charterparty from the moment at which such bill of lading or similar document of title regulates the relations between a carrier and a holder of the same;
(c) “Goods” includes goods, wares, merchandises, and articles of every kind whatsoever, except live animals and cargo which by the contract of carriage is stated as being carried on deck and is so carried;
(d) “Ship” means any vessel used for the carriage of goods by sea;
(e) “Carriage of goods” covers the period from the time when the goods are loaded on to the time when they are discharged from the ship.
Article II.—Risks:
Subject to the provisions of Article VI, under every contract of carriage of goods by sea the carrier, in relation to the loading, handling, stowage, carriage, custody, care, and discharge of such goods, shall be subject to the responsibilities and liabilities, and entitled to the rights and immunities hereinafter set forth.
Article III.—Responsibilities and Liabilities:
1. The carrier shall be bound, before and at the beginning of the voyage, to exercise due diligence to—
(a) Make the ship seaworthy;
(b) Properly man, equip, and supply the ship;
(c) Make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers, and all other parts of the ship in which goods are carried, fit and safe for their reception, carriage and preservation.
2. Subject to the provisions of Article IV, the carrier shall properly and carefully load, handle, stow, carry, keep, care for and discharge the goods carried.
3. After receiving the goods into his charge, the carrier, or the master or agent of the carrier, shall, on demand of the shipper, issue to the shipper a bill of lading showing among other things—
(a) The leading marks necessary for identification of the goods as the same are furnished in writing by the shipper before the loading of such goods starts, provided such marks are stamped or otherwise shown clearly upon the goods if uncovered, or on the cases or coverings in which such goods are contained, in such a manner as should ordinarily remain legible until the end of the voyage;
(b) Either the number of packages or pieces, or the quantity, or weight, as the case may be, as furnished in writing by the shipper;
(c) The apparent order and condition of the goods;
Provided that no carrier, master or agent of the carrier shall be bound to state or show in the bill of lading any marks, number, quantity, or weight which he has reasonable ground for suspecting not accurately to represent the goods actually received, or which he has had no reasonable means of checking.
4. Such a bill of lading shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt by the carrier of the goods as therein described in accordance with paragraph 3 (a), (b) and (c).
5. The shipper shall be deemed to have guaranteed to the carrier the accuracy at the time of shipment of the marks, number, quantity, and weight, as furnished by him, and the shipper shall indemnify the carrier against all loss, damages, and expenses arising or resulting from inaccuracies in such particulars. The right of the carrier to such indemnity shall in no way limit his responsibility and liability under the contract of carriage to any person other than the shipper.
6. Unless notice of loss or damage and the general nature of such loss or damage be given in writing to the carrier or his agent at the port of discharge before or at the time of the removal of the goods into the custody of the person entitled to delivery thereof under the contract of carriage, or, if the loss or damage be not apparent, within three days, such removal shall be prima facie evidence of the delivery by the carrier of the goods as described in the bill of lading.
The notice in writing need not be given if the state of the goods has at the time of their receipt been the subject of joint survey or inspection.
In any event the carrier and the ship shall be discharged from all liability in respect of loss or damage unless suit is brought within one year after delivery of the goods or the date when the goods should have been delivered.
In the case of any actual or apprehended loss or damage the carrier and the receiver shall give all reasonable facilities to each other for inspecting and tallying the goods.
7. After the goods are loaded the bill of lading to be issued by the carrier, master or agent of the carrier, to the shipper shall, if the shipper so demands, be a “shipped” bill of lading, provided that if the shipper shall have previously taken up any document of title to such goods, he shall surrender the same as against the issue of the “shipped” bill of lading, but at the option of the carrier such document of title may be noted at the port of shipment by the carrier, master, or agent with the name or names of the ship or ships upon which the goods have been shipped and the date or dates of shipment, and when so noted the same shall for the purpose of this Article be deemed to constitute a “shipped” bill of lading.
8. Any clause, covenant or agreement in a contract of carriage relieving the carrier or the ship from liability for loss or damage to or in connection with goods arising from negligence, fault or failure in the duties and obligations provided in this Article or lessening such liability otherwise than as provided in these Rules, shall be null and void and of no effect.
A benefit of insurance or similar clause shall be deemed to be a clause relieving the carrier from liability.
Article IV.—Rights and Immunities:
1. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be liable for loss or damage arising or resulting from unseaworthiness unless caused by want of due diligence on the part of the carrier to make the ship seaworthy, and to secure that the ship is properly manned, equipped and supplied, and to make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers and all other parts of the ship in which goods are carried fit and safe for their reception, carriage and preservation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article III.
Whenever loss or damage has resulted from unseaworthiness, the burden of proving the exercise of due diligence shall be on the carrier or other person claiming exemption under this section.
2. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be responsible for loss or damage arising or resulting from—
(a) Act, neglect, or default of the master, mariner, pilot, or the servants of the carrier in the navigation or in the management of the ship;
(b) Fire, unless caused by the actual fault or privity of the carrier;
(c) Perils, dangers, and accidents of the sea or other navigable waters;
(d) Act of God;
(e) Act of war;
(f) Act of public enemies;
(g) Arrest or restraint of princes, rulers or people, or seizure under legal process;
(h) Quarantine restrictions;
(i) Act or omission of the shipper or owner of the goods, his agent or representative;
(j) Strikes or lock-outs or stoppages or restraint of labour from whatever cause, whether partial or general;
(k) Riots and civil commotions;
(l) Saving or attempting to save life or property at sea;
(m) Wastage in bulk or weight or any other loss or damage arising from inherent defect, quality, or vice of the goods;
(n) Insufficiency of packing;
(o) Insufficiency or inadequacy of marks;
(p) Latent defects not discoverable by due diligence;
(q) Any other cause arising without the actual fault or privity of the carrier, or without the fault or neglect of the agents or servants of the carrier, but the burden of proof shall be on the person claiming the benefit of this exception to show that neither the actual fault or privity of the carrier nor the fault or neglect of the agents or servants of the carrier contributed to the loss or damage.
3. The shipper shall not be responsible for loss or damage sustained by the carrier or the ship arising or resulting from any cause without the act, fault or neglect of the shipper, his agents or his servants.
4. Any deviation in saving or attempting to save life or property at sea, or any reasonable deviation shall not be deemed to be an infringement or breach of these Rules or of the contract of carriage, and the carrier shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting therefrom.
5. Neither the carrier nor the ship shall in any event be or become liable for any loss or damage to or in connection with goods in an amount exceeding £100 per package or unit, or the equivalent of that sum in other currency, unless the nature and value of such goods have been declared by the shipper before shipment and inserted in the bill of lading.
This declaration if embodied in the bill of lading shall be prima facie evidence, but shall not be binding or conclusive on the carrier.
By agreement between the carrier, master or agent of the carrier and the shipper another maximum amount than that mentioned in this paragraph may be fixed, provided that such maximum shall not be less than the figure above named.
Neither the carrier nor the ship shall be responsible in any event for loss or damage to or in connection with goods if the nature or value thereof has been knowingly misstated by the shipper in the bill of lading.
6. Goods of an inflammable, explosive or dangerous nature to the shipment whereof the carrier, master or agent of the carrier, has not consented with knowledge of their nature and character may at any time before discharge be landed at any place or destroyed or rendered innocuous by the carrier without compensation, and the shipper of such goods shall be liable for all damages and expenses directly or indirectly arising out of or resulting from such shipment.
If any such goods shipped with such knowledge and consent shall become a danger to the ship or cargo, they may in like manner be landed at any place or destroyed or rendered innocuous by the carrier without liability on the part of the carrier except to general average, if any.
Article V.—Surrender of Rights and Immunities, and Increase of Responsibilities and Liabilities:
A carrier shall be at liberty to surrender in whole or in part all or any of his rights and immunities or to increase any of his responsibilities and liabilities under the Rules contained in any of these Articles, provided such surrender or increase shall be embodied in the bill of lading issued to the shipper.
The provisions of these Rules shall not be applicable to charterparties, but if bills of lading are issued in the case of a ship under a charterparty they shall comply with the terms of these Rules. Nothing in these Rules shall be held to prevent the insertion in a bill of lading of any lawful provision regarding general average.
Article VI.—Special Conditions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Articles, a carrier, master or agent of the carrier, and a shipper shall in regard to any particular goods be at liberty to enter into any agreement in any terms as to the responsibility and liability of the carrier for such goods, and as to the rights and immunities of the carrier in respect of such goods, or his obligation as to seaworthiness, so far as this stipulation is not contrary to public policy, or the care or diligence of his servants or agents in regard to the loading, handling, stowage, carriage, custody, care, and discharge of the goods carried by sea, provided that in this case no bill of lading has been or shall be issued and that the terms agreed shall be embodied in a receipt which shall be a non-negotiable document and shall be marked as such.
Any agreement so entered into shall have full legal effect:
Provided that this Article shall not apply to ordinary commercial shipments made in the ordinary course of trade, but only to other shipments where the character or condition of the property to be carried or the circumstances, terms and conditions under which the carriage is to be performed, are such as reasonably to justify a special agreement.
Article VII.—Limitations on the Application of the Rules.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent a carrier or a shipper from entering into any agreement, stipulation, condition, reservation or exemption as to the responsibility and liability of the carrier or the ship for the loss or damage to or in connection with the custody and care and handling of goods prior to the loading on and subsequent to the discharge from the ship on which the goods are carried by sea.
Article VIII.—Limitation of Liability.
The provisions of these Rules shall not affect the rights and obligations of the carrier under any statute for the time being in force relating to the limitation of the liability of owners of seagoing vessels.