Section 18: Evidence of first registration.

(1) On the first registration of a ship, the following evidence shall be produced in addition to the declaration ofownership— a) in the case of a ship built in Sierra Leone, a builder’s certificate signed by the builder of the ship and containing a true account of the proper denomination and of the tonnage of the ship as estimated by him and of the name of the person, if any, on whose account the ship was built and, if there has been any sale, the bill of sale under which the ship or a share therein has become vested in the applicant for registration; b) in the case of a foreign built ship, the same evidence as in the case of a ship built in Sierra Leone unless the declarant who makes the declaration of ownership declares that the time and place of the building of the ship are unknown to him or that the builder’s certificate cannot be produced, in which case there shall be registered only the bill of sale under which the ownership of the ship became vested in the applicant for registration; and c) in the case of a ship condemned by the competent authority, the official copy of the condemnation. (2) In the case of every ship built in Sierra Leone the builder shall, if requested to do so, deliver to the owner a signed certificate containing the particulars specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1). (3) A builder who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) or wilfully makes a statement in a certificate given thereunder which is false commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million leones, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both.