Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 13

13. (1) Within one month of provisional registry, extendable for good reason for another period of two months, the owner shall, unless the ship is otherwise exempted, produce to the registrar the following documents and evidence: (a) a builder’s certificate, that is to say a certificate signed by the builder of the ship (which expression includes such person as the Registrar-General recognises as carrying on the business of the builder of a ship) and containing true account of the proper denomination and of the tonnage of the ship as estimated by him, and of the time when and the place where she was built, MERCHANT SHIPPING [CAP. 234. 11 and of the name of the person (if any) on whose account the ship was built or, if there has been any sale, the bill of sale or other document under which the ship or a share therein was transferred to the applicant for registry: Provided that the registrar may not enquire into prior title or registered encumbrances in cases where the vessel was acquired by the owner free from encumbrances pursuant to an order or with the approval of a competent court. (b) evidence satisfactory to the registrar, or as may be prescribed by the Minister, that any foreign certificate of registry of the ship, or equivalent documents, has been legally cancelled or the registry has been duly closed: Provided that the Minister may, in such circumstances as he may deem appropriate, direct that no such certificate shall be required where the owner has attempted to obtain such certificate but due to reasons beyond the control of the owner inordinate delay has occurred. The Minister may give any direction as to the production of such other documents as he deems fit. (2) Within six months of provisional registry, extendable for good reason for a further period of, or further periods not exceeding in the aggregate, six months, the owner shall, unless the ship is otherwise exempted, produce to the registrar the following documents and evidence: (a) proof that the ship has been issued with such valid certificates required by international conventions (including protocols, annexes and appendices thereto) which have been ratified or acceded to or accepted by the Government of Malta; (b) certificate of survey issued in terms of article 14 and a copy of the tonnage measurement certificate: Provided that the Registrar-General may, subject to such conditions as he may deem proper, in case of a ship which is being built, rebuilt or equipped, exempt such ship from the requirements of this paragraph for a period of one year extendable for a valid reason for a further period or periods but in no case for a period exceeding two years at a time. (c) a carving and marking note issued in accordance with article 15 or evidence satisfactory to the registrar that the vessel has been marked in accordance with article