S.L. 234.19 Art. 19Acceptance of foreign tonnage certificates.

(1) An International Tonnage Certificate (1969) issued under the authority of another contracting Government to a foreign ship in accordance with the Convention shall be accepted and regarded for all purposes covered by the Convention as having the same validity as one issued under Part II of these Regulations. Whilst such a ship is within Malta or the territorial waters thereof it may be subject to inspection by a person duly authorised by the Minister in that behalf for the purpose of verifying -

(a) that the ship is provided with a valid International Tonnage Certificate (1969); and

(b) that the main characteristics of the ship correspond to the data given in the certificate.

(2) Any such inspection shall not cause any delay to the ship.

(3) If the inspection reveals that the main characteristics of the ship differ from those entered in the International Tonnage Certificate (1969) so as to lead to an increase in the gross tonnage or the net tonnage, the administration of the State whose flag the ship is flying shall be informed without delay.