Section 406: Obligation to render assistance on receiving signal of distress

406. Obligation to render assistance on receiving signal of distress.—(1) The master of a Pakistani ship on receiving at sea a signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in distress shall proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress (informing them if possible that he is doing so) unless he is unable or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to do so or unless he is released from such obligation under the provisions of sub-section (3) or sub-section (4). (2) Where the master of any ship in distress has requisitioned any Pakistani ship that has answered his call, it shall be the duty of the master of the requisitioned ship to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress unless he is released from the obligation under the provisions of sub-section (4). (3) The master shall be released from the obligation imposed by sub-section (1) as soon as he is informed of the requisition of one or more ships other than his own and that the requisition is being complied with by the ship or ships requisitioned. (4) The master shall be released from the obligation imposed by sub-section (1), if his ship has been requisitioned from the obligation imposed by sub-section (2), if he is informed by the persons in distress that assistance is no longer required. (5) If the master of any Pakistani ship on receiving at sea a signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in distress is unable or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to go to the assistance of the persons in distress, he shall forthwith cause a statement to be entered in the official log-book or, if there is no official log-book, cause other record to be kept of his reasons for not going to the assistance of those persons; and if he fails to do so he shall be liable to a fine which may extend to tell thousand rupees. (6) The master of every Pakistani ship for which an official log book is required shall enter or cause to be entered in the official log-book every signal of distress or message that a vessel, aircraft or person is in distress at sea. (7) Any master, failing to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), shall be liable to a fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

Effective date: 2001-01-01

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