Cap. 234 Art. 28Voluntary closure of registry.

(1) Where the owner of a Maltese ship desires to close the register of a ship he shall make an application to that effect to the registrar, giving all such particulars and information as the registrar may require for the purpose.

(2) The registrar may refuse such application if all liabilities and obligations in respect of the ship towards the Authority, the Government of Malta and any body corporate established by law, whether for fees, charges, fines or otherwise have not been paid, and shall refuse such application unless the consent in writing of all mortgagees whose mortgage is duly registered in respect of the ship is produced to him.

(3) Where any such application is acceded to the registrar shall make an entry thereof in the register and thereupon the ship shall cease to be a Maltese ship and the registry of the ship shall be considered as closed except so far as relates to any unsatisfied mortgages or privileges entered therein.