(1) No vessel shall enter, leave or be moved in any port without having a pilot, harbour master or any port officer on board, unless,--- (a) upon application to the proper officer the master was unable to procure a pilot, harbour master or port officer to go on board the vessel; (b) an authority in writing has been obtained from the conservator or any officer authorised to give such authority: Provided that the Government may, by notification, direct that in any port as may be specified therein, the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to sailing vessels of any measurement not exceeding a measurement so specified therein. (2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), the owner or master of a vessel, shall be answerable for any loss or damage caused by the vessel or by any fault of the navigation of the vessel.

(1) No vessel shall enter, leave or be moved in any port without having a pilot, harbour master or any port officer on board, unless,--- (a) upon application to the proper officer the master was unable to procure a pilot, harbour master or port officer to go on board the vessel; (b) an authority in writing has been obtained from the conservator or any officer authorised to give such authority: Provided that the Government may, by notification, direct that in any port as may be specified therein, the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to sailing vessels of any measurement not exceeding a measurement so specified therein. (2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), the owner or master of a vessel, shall be answerable for any loss or damage caused by the vessel or by any fault of the navigation of the vessel.