317. Duration, renewal and cancellation of certificates.- (1) Every load line certificate issued by or under the authority of the Central Government, shall, unless it is renewed in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2), expire at the end of such period, not exceeding five years from the date of its issue, as may be specified therein. (2) Any such load line certificate may, after a survey not less effective than the survey required by the load line rule before the issue of the certificate, be renewed from time to time by the Central Government or by any person authorised by the Central Government to issue a load line certificate, for such period not exceeding five years on any occasion as the Central Government or the person renewing the certificate thinks fit. (3) The Central Government may cancel any such load line certificate in fore in respect of a ship if it has reason to believe that- (a) material alterations have taken place in the hull or superstructures of the ship which affect the position of the load lies or (b) the fittings and appliances for the protection of openings, the guard rails, the freeing ports or the means of access to the crew's quarters have not been maintained on the ship in as effective a condition as they were in when the certificate was issued; or (c) the marking of the deck line and load lines on the ship have no been properly maintained: Provided that no such order shall be made unless the person concerned has been given an opportunity of making a representation against there order proposed. (4) The owner of every ship in respect of which any such certificate has been issued shall, so long as the certificate remains in force, cause the ship to be surveyed in the prescribed manner once at least in each year after the issue of the certificate for the purpose of seeing whether the certificate should, having regard to sub-section (3), rejoining force, and if the ship is not so surveyed, the Central Government may cancel the certificate: provided that the Central Government, if it thinks fit in any particular case, may extend the aid period of one year. (5) Where any such load line certificate has expired or been cancelled, the Central Government may require the owner or master of the ship to which the certificate relates to deliver up the certificate as it directs and the ship may be detained until such requirement has been complied with. (6) On the survey of any ship in pursuance of this section there shall be paid by the owner of the ship such see as may be prescribed. | 
