This Act amends the Shipping Act with respect to a variety of matters including the application sphere of the Act, the registration of ships, offences committed under the principal Act, the carrying into effect of international agreements relating to navigation in Tonga and maritime liens.
The principal Act shall now apply also to every fishing vessel of 15 metres or more in length and every ship licensed under this Act. This Act requires every Tongan cargo ship, fishing vessel or pleasure craft of between 8 and 15 metres in length to be licensed under this Act, in such a manner as prescribed by Regulations.