Cap. 234 ст. 277Ship’s draught of water to be  recorded.

(1) This article applies to Maltese ships being either -

(a) ships to which the load line provisions of this Act do not apply; or

(b) ships to which those provisions apply but which, by virtue of an order made or exemption conferred under those provisions, are exempt from all the said provisions.

(2) The Minister may, in any case or class of cases in which he thinks it expedient so to do, direct any person appointed by him for the purpose, to record, in such manner and with such particulars as he directs, the draught of water of any sea-going ship, as shown on the scale of feet or decimetres on her stem or stern post, and the extent of her freeboard, upon her leaving any dock, wharf, port or harbour for the purpose of proceeding to sea; and the person so appointed shall thereupon keep that record and shall forward a copy thereof to the Minister.

(3) The master of every sea-going ship shall, upon her leaving any dock, wharf, port or harbour for the purpose of proceeding to sea, record her draught of water and the extent of her freeboard in the official log book and shall produce the record to any officer authorised in that behalf by the Minister whenever required by such officer, and if he fails without reasonable cause to produce the record he shall for each offence be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding twenty units.

(4) The master of a sea-going ship shall, upon the request of any person appointed to record the ship’s draught of water permit that person to enter the ship and to make such inspections and take such measurements as may be requisite for the purpose of that record; and if any master fails to do so, or impedes, or suffers anyone under his control to impede, any person so appointed in the execution of his duty he shall for each offence be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding twenty units.

(5) In this article "freeboard", means, in the case of any ship which is marked with a deck-line, the height from the water to the upper edge of the deck-line, and, in the case of any other ship, the height amidships from the water to the upper edge of the deck from which the depth of hold as stated in the register is measured.