TONGA

SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) ACT 2001
No. 23 of 2001.

I assent,

TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV,
11th July, 2002.

AN ACT
TO AMEND THE SHIPPING ACT

[24th October, 2001.]

BE IT ENACTED by the King and Legislative Assembly of Tonga in the Legislature of the Kingdom as follows:-

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Shipping (Amendment) Act 2001.

(2) The Shipping Act (Cap. 136) is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

2. (1) Section 3(2) of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following after paragraph (e):

"(f) Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) 1965 as amended from time to time;

(g) Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, (LLMC) 1976 and Protocol of 1996 as amended from time to time;

(h) Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA) 1988 as amended from time to time;

(i) International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) 1989 as amended from time to time;

(j) Convention on Salvage (Salvage) 1989 as amended from time to time;

(k) Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Sea (PAL) 1974, Protocols of 1976 and 1990 as amended from time to time;

(l) Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993 (MLM) as amended from time to time;

(m) SOLAS Protocols of 1978 and 1988 as amended from time to time."

(2) Section 3(4) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting "(e)" in the second line and replacing it with "(m)".

3. PART III of the Principal Act is deleted and replaced with the following:

"PART III - REGISTRATION OF SHIPS

7. [sic - Words missing from original]

"Approved Person" means a person who is a non-Tongan person or corporation approved by the Secretary to register a ship on the Tongan Registry in accordance with this Act and Regulations.

"Bareboat Charter" means the contract for the lease or sub-lease of a ship, for a stipulated period of time, by virtue of which the charterer shall acquire full control and complete possession of the ship, including the right to appoint his master and crew for the duration of the charter, but excluding the right to sell or mortgage the ship;

"Bareboat Charter Registry" means the registry of a Bareboat Charter in the Register;

"Eligible Person" means a person or corporation that maintains an office in Tonga that is staffed by persons at least one of whom is a Tongan subject, accountable to the Government on behalf of the charterer;

"Particulars" include all the features and details of the ship, its owners, charterers and mortgages as the case may be, as required in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations;

"Qualified Person" means an individual who is a Tongan subject or a corporation that is registered in Tonga under the Companies Act 1995;

"Register" means Register of Ships kept in accordance with section 9(2);

"Underlying Registry" means registry in the State in which the owners of a ship are registered as owners and to which jurisdiction and control will revert upon termination of the Bareboat Charter registration, and "Underlying Register" and "Underlying Registry" shall be construed accordingly."

Registry of ships

8. (1) Every ship, 15 metres and above in length, owned by a Qualified Person, shall be registered under this Act. A ship required to be registered and not registered shall not be recognized as a Tongan ship.

(2) Every Bareboat Charter of a ship, 15 metres and above, chartered by an Eligible Person, shall be eligible to be registered under this Act. A ship under a Bareboat Charter that is registered under this Act is deemed to be a Tongan ship.

(3) Every ship, owned by an Approved Person, may be registered under this Act, provided that the owner or owners and the ship comply with the conditions contained in this Part and in respect of the Register.

(4) A ship required by this Act to be registered may be detained upon the order of the Minister until the master of the ship, if so required, produces a Certificate of Registry in respect of the ship.

Office of Registrar

9. (1) A Registrar of Ships shall be appointed by the Minister, with the consent of Cabinet, who shall responsible for the administration and operation of the Registry.

(2) The Registrar of Ships shall enter the particulars of Tongan ships that are required or approved too be registered and Bareboat Charters that are eligible to be registered in the Register.

(3) The Minister may, with the consent of Cabinet, appoint Deputy Registrars of Ships as is necessary to give effect to this Act.

(4) Bareboat Charters of ships owned by an Approved Persons shall be registered under section 8(2) at the office of the Registrar of Ships in Nuku'alofa.

(5) The Registrar, or any person working under his authority, shall not be liable for any loss occurring to any person by reason of any act or omission, unless through wilful neglect or gross negligence on the part of that person.

Prior requirements for Registry

10. Every ship of 15 metres and above required to be registered under section 8(1) shall, prior to registration, comply with all the appropriate provisions of this Act and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

Registry of Bareboat Charters

11. (1) A ship shall be deemed to be registered as a Tongan ship under this Part, if the ship is:

(a) Bareboat chartered to an Eligible Person;

(b) not a Tongan ship at the time of application;

(c) not registered in another Bareboat Charter Registry; and

(d) the following certified documents are submitted to the Registrar:

(i) an Application for Registration made by the Bareboat Charterer or his authorized agent, containing such information as required by the appropriate provisions of this Act and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations;

(ii) a Declaration of Bareboat Charter made by the charterer, accompanied by a copy of the charterparty;

(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Registry in the Underlying Registry;

(iv) the consent in writing of the following for the registration of the Bareboat Charter of the ship in Tonga:

(aa) the appropriate authorities of the Underlying Registry;

(bb) the owners of the ship;

(cc) all registered mortgagees.

(2) Any amendments or modifications to the Bareboat Charter shall be produced in writing to the Registrar by the charterer within 7 days of such amendment or modification.

(3) Any amendments or modifications to the Underlying Registry in respect of this ship shall be produced in writing to the Registrar by the charterer within 7 days of such amendment or modification.

(4) Reference to "certified documents" in subsection (1) means that the Registrar of the Underlying Registry has sighted the original documents and certified the copies to be true copies under his signature and seal.

Registry of Ships by Approved Persons

12. A ship owned by an Approved Person may be entered in the Registry as a Tongan ship under this Part, if the ship:

(a) is not registered in any other Flag State;

(b) is not a Tongan ship at the time of application.

(2) The Minister shall determine the criteria for a person to be designated an Approved Person.

(3) On the basis of the criteria established, the Secretary may determine whether a person should be designated an Approved Person.

(4) A ship that is unseaworthy shall not be entered in the Registry.

Register

13. The Registrar shall cause to be kept a book to be called the Register and entries in the Register shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

Port of Registry

14. (1) The Port of Registry for ships required to be registered under section 8(1) shall be the port of Nuku'alofa and such other ports in the Kingdom of Tonga as the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare to be ports of registry under this Act.

(2) The Port of Registry for Bareboat Charters eligible for registration under section 8(2) shall be the port of Nuku'alofa.

(3) The Port of Registry for ships owned by an Approved Person permitted to be registered under section 8(3) shall be the port of Nuku'alofa.

Applications for Registry

15. (1) Applications for Registry shall be made in accordance with the Forms prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) An Application for Registry for every ship required to be registered under section 8(1) shall be made by the Qualified Person or by their authorised agent.

(3) An Application for the registry of a Bareboat Charter under section 8(2) shall be made by an Eligible Person.

(4) An Application for the registry of ship under section 8(3) shall be made by an Approved Person.

Tonnage Measurement

16. When an application is made for the registry of any ship required to be registered under this Act, the applicant shall cause the ship to be surveyed by a surveyor acceptable to the Secretary and the tonnage of the ship shall be ascertained in the manner prescribed in the Tonnage Convention and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) The surveyor shall, upon making the survey, issue a surveyor's certificate of tonnage specifying the ship's tonnage and other particulars descriptive of the identity of the ship in the manner prescribed in the Tonnage Convention and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, and such certificate shall be delivered to the Registrar.

(3) Where a ship required to be registered under this Act is an existing ship and the tonnage of the ship has been ascertained in accordance with the Tonnage Convention and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, the Secretary may at his discretion waive the requirements in subsections (1) and (2).

(4) The tonnage of a ship the Bareboat Charter of which is to be registered under the Bareboat Charter Registry shall be ascertained in accordance with the Tonnage Convention and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, provided that the Secretary may at his discretion accept the tonnage recorded in the Underlying Registry if he is satisfied it was ascertained in the manner prescribed in the Tonnage Convention.

(5) The tonnage of a ship to be registered under the Registry other than a Bareboat charter shall be in accordance with the Tonnage Convention and Shipping (Registration) Regulations, provided that the Secretary may at his discretion accept the tonnage recorded on the former International Tonnage Certificate if he is satisfied that it was ascertained in the manner prescribed in the Tonnage Convention.

Marking of ships

17. (1) Every ship in respect of which an application for registry is made shall, before registry, be marked permanently and conspicuously in accordance with the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) Subject to any other provision contained in this Act and in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, the owner, charterer or the master of the ship shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the ship remains marked as required by this Act, and the owner, charterer or master shall not cause or permit any alteration of such marks to be made.

(3) If an owner, charterer or master of a Tongan ship fails to maintain the marks as required, or if any person conceals, removes, alters, defaces, or obliterates any of the marks, the owner, charterer or master shall for each offence be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, and if the ship is marked insufficiently or inaccurately, it may be detained by the Secretary until the insufficiency or inaccuracy has been remedied.

Name of ship entered on the Bareboat Charter Registry

18. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a ship registered on the Bareboat Charter Registry shall be entered by the name under which it is the registered in the Underlying Registry.

(2) The name of a ship to be entered on the Bareboat Charter Registry shall be changed prior to registry if the name is the same or similar to that of a ship already entered or fails to comply with the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, provided that the Registrar has received consent in writing of the appropriate authorities of the Underlying Registry, the owners, and any registered mortgages.

Entries of Particulars in the Register

19. When the Registrar is satisfied all requirements for registration of a ship set out in this Part and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations have been complied with, including the payment of any fees, he shall -

(a) enter in the Register the particulars the particulars of the ship required by the Shipping (Registration) Regulations;

(b) retain any documents required by the Shipping (Registration) Regulations;

(c) issue a Certificate of Registry in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

Bareboat Charter Registry

20. The Registrar, if satisfied that all requirements for Bareboat Charter Registry specified in this Part and the Shipping (Registration) Regulations have been complied with, and on payment of the prescribed fee, shall -

(a) enter in the Register -

(i) all particulars of the ship and its Underlying Registry;

(ii) the names of owners and charterers and their particulars; and

(iii) the expiry date of the charter;

(b) inform the appropriate authorities of the Underlying Registry of the Bareboat Charter; and

(c) issue a Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry, which shall include the name and particulars of the ship, the name of the Port of Registry in Tonga and the expiry date of the Bareboat Charter and shall be in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) Upon the issue of a Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry all documents issued to the ship by the Underlying Registry shall be surrendered to the appropriate authorities of that Registry.

(3) Within thirty days of the issue of the Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry the charterer shall make and deliver to the Registrar a declaration to that effect that all documents have been surrendered.

(4) Registry of a Bareboat Charter Registry shall terminate on the date of expiry of the Bareboat Charter.

(5) The charterer may make application for extension of the Bareboat Charter Registry, and upon the payment of the prescribed fee, the Registrar shall enter the new date of the expiry of the Bareboat Charter in the Register.

Circumstances for non-registration

21. Notwithstanding section 19 or 20 the Minister may, if he considers it necessary or expedient so to do for any reason, direct the Registrar not to enter in the Registry any ship or share, or any Bareboat Charter.

Certificate issued by the Registrar

22. (1) Certificates issued by the Registrar shall -

(a) be kept by the master on board in a safe place and the particulars therein entered in the Official Log Book;

(b) remain the property of the Government;

(c) be produced if demanded by any person having lawful authority to inspect such certificates;

(d) only be issued for the lawful business of the ship.

(2) Certificate issued by the Registrar shall not be removed or detained by any person having or claiming any interest in the ship by way of any title, lien, mortgage or other charge against the ship.

(3) The name of the master of the ship shall be entered on the Certificate of Registry or Bareboat Charter Registry by the Registrar in accordance with the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(4) If the master of a Tongan ship is changed while the ship is in Tonga, the Registrar shall endorse and sign a memorandum of the change on the Certificate of Registry or Bareboat Charter Registry.

(5) If the master of a Tongan ship is changed while the ship is not in Tonga, the new master shall ensure that the proper officer at the next port at which the ship calls, endorses and signs a memorandum of the change on the Certificate of Registry or the Bareboat Charter Registry and shall forthwith notify the Registrar.

(6) Any person, having a legal interest in the ship or not, who has in his possession or under his control a Certificate of Registry or a Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry shall deliver such certificate on demand to the person entitled to the custody thereof for the purpose of the lawful business of the ship, or to any Registrar, or other person entitled by law to require such delivery.

(7) Any person who fails to deliver the Certificate of Registry or a Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry as required by subsection (6) commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Improper use of Certificates

23. Any owner or master of a ship who uses or attempts to use for any purpose a Certificate of Registry not legally granted in respect of that ship, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Application of International Conventions to Tongan ships

24. (1) Tongan ships that are required or approved to be registered and Bareboat Charters that are eligible to be registered in the Register of ships of Tonga shall carry those certificates required by the international conventions to which Tonga is a Party.

(2) An application for any survey and subsequent issue of certificates shall be made to the Secretary.

(3) Where such a ship meets the requirements of any international convention, the Secretary may issue any relevant certificate to the ship under the authority of the Government.

(4) Where a Tongan ship that is required or approved to be registered and Bareboat Charter that is eligible to be registered in the Register of ships of Tonga has been issued with a certificate required under an international convention by a State that is a Party to that convention, then upon application, the Secretary, if he recognises the validity of that certificate, may issue a Certificate of Endorsement for the duration of the original certificate, which shall have the same status as the original certificate.

(5) Where Tonga is not a Party to a particular international convention and the Government of the country of the Underlying Registry issued a certificate required under the same convention, the Secretary may issue a similar certificate and shall return the original certificate to the issuing authority.

Bareboat Charter Registry - Jurisdiction

25. Every ship entered on the Bareboat Charter Registry shall -

(a) be deemed to be a Tongan ship;

(b) be under the jurisdiction and control of Tonga;

(c) comply with all the laws applicable to Tongan ships; and

(d) only fly the Tongan Flag as provided for in this Act.

Bareboat Charter Registry - Ownership

26. (1) Registration of a ship on the Bareboat Charter Registry shall not assert any ownership rights over that ship and it shall have no effect with regard to title, transfer and transmission of such ship or shares therein.

(2) On any transfer of ownership of a ship, the charter of which is entered on the Bareboat Charter Registry, the charters shall notify the Registrar of such transfer as required by section 10. The entry in the Registry shall continue unless the new owners raise an objection with the Registrar.

(3) If the new owners of the ship terminate the charter the entry in the Bareboat Charter Registry shall thereupon terminate.

Power to grant new certificates

27. (1) If a Certificate of Registry or a Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry of a Tongan ship is -

(a) defaced or mutilated;

(b) mislaid, lost or destroyed;

(c) in the custody of any person not entitled to it,

the Registrar shall grant a new Certificate in lieu of the original certificate upon payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) If the Certificate referred to in subsection (1) is found at any time thereafter by the person entitled to it, the Certificate shall be delivered to the Registrar for cancellation. Any person who fails to deliver the Certificate referred to in subsection (1) commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Registry of alterations to a ship

28. (1) Where a Tongan ship is altered and does not correspond with the particulars relating to the Tonnage Certificate or the description contained in the Certificate of Registry, the owner of the ship shall within 7 days of that alteration being made, make a written application to the Registrar to register the alteration.

(2) An application made under this section shall be accompanied by a Tonnage Certificate and the Registrar upon receipt of the application and prescribed fee, shall cause the alteration to be registered.

(3) Every owner of a ship who fails to comply with this section commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Check of entries in the Register

29. (1) If the Registrar has reason to believe that the Register does not contain accurate particulars in respect of any ship, he may direct the owner of the ship, or any other person in possession of information relating to the ship, to provide him with information.

(2) Any person who fails to comply with this section, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Transfer of ownership by Bill of Sale

30. (1) Where a ship registered under this Act is disposed of to a Qualified Person or an Approved Person the ship shall be transferred by Bill of Sale in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations and executed by the transferor and transferee, and, in the case of a corporation, by the affixing of the corporate seal.

(2) In respect of a newly constructed ship, a Builder's Certificate will be deemed to be a Bill of Sale for the purposes of this Act.

(3) Upon application to the Registrar, such Bill of Sale may be registered in the Register of Ships if all the pre-requisites set out in this Part and in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations have been complied with.

(4) Upon registration, the old Certificate of Registry shall be delivered to the Registrar, who shall issue a new Certificate of Registry to the new owner.

(5) Whenever a ship registered in Tonga is sold by one Qualified Person to another Qualified Person, the change of ownership shall be endorsed by the Registrar on the ship's Certificate of Registry.

Registry of Mortgages

31. (1) A registered ship is capable of being made security for a loan or other financial obligation by way of a mortgage in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) The Registrar shall not register a mortgage or other charge against a ship unless the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations is completed and signed by the parties.

(3) Upon the production to him of a mortgage, he shall register the mortgage by making an entry in the Register.

(4) The Registrar shall -

(a) register mortgages in the order in which they are produced to him for that purpose;

(b) endorse and sign on each mortgage, stating the date and time that it was produced to him and entered in the Register; and

(c) endorse and sign the Certificate of Registry to the effect that a mortgage has been registered against the ship.

(5) No mortgage shall be registered on the Bareboat Charter Register.

Recording of Maritime Liens

32. (1) The Registrar shall, at the request of the holder of a maritime lien, record the maritime lien by recording in the Register -

(a) the claim against the owner, Bareboat Charterer, manager or operator of the ship secured by the maritime lien on the ship;

(b) the date of the event which gave rise to the maritime lien against the ship; and

(c) the name and address of the lien holder for the service of notice or documents.

(2) The registration of any maritime lien shall not confer upon the lien holder any right to which the lien holder would not otherwise be entitled in the absence of recording.

(3) Subject to Article 8 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, a maritime lien shall be extinguished after a period of one year.

(4) A maritime lien shall not be enforceable against a ship owned by a bona fide purchaser for value without notice unless such lien has been registered in the Register at the port in which the ship is recorded, but the debt shall be enforceable against the owner and vendor who has incurred the debt from which the maritime lien arises, irrespective of registration.

Priority of Maritime Liens and Mortgages

33. (1) If there are more mortgages than one registered in respect of the same ship or share, the mortgages shall, notwithstanding any express, implied, or constructive notice, be entitled in priority one over the other, according to the date and time at which each mortgage is registered in the Register.

(2) A registered mortgage shall not be affected by any act of bankruptcy or insolvency committed by the mortgagor after the date of registration of the mortgage, notwithstanding that the bankrupt or insolvent mortgagor had at the commencement of his insolvency the possession of or power to dispose of the ship.

(3) Subject to subsection (5) any such mortgage shall be preferred over any right, claim, or interest of the other creditors of the bankrupt or any trustee or assignee on their behalf in relation to the ship.

(4) Each of the following claims against the owner, Bareboat Charter, manager or operators of the ship shall be secured by an International Maritime Lien on the ship:

(a) claims for wages and others sums due to the master, officers, and other members of the ship's complement in respect of their employment on the ship, including costs of repatriation and social insurance contributions payable on their behalf,

(b) claims in respect of loss of life or personal injury occurring, whether on land or on water, in direct connection with the operation of the ship;

(c) claims for reward for the salvage of the ship;

(d) claims for port, canal and other waterway dues and pilotage dues;

(e) claims based on tort arising out of physical loss or damage caused by the operation of the ship other than loss of or damage to cargo, containers and passengers' effects carried on the ship.

(5) The International Maritime Liens set in subsection (4) shall take priority over registered mortgages.

(6) No other claim shall take priority over International Maritime Liens or over registered mortgages, except that in the event of a sale of a stranded or sunken ship causing a hazard to safe navigation that is removed by Government authority, the cost of such removal shall be paid out of the proceeds of the sale before all claims secured by maritime lien on the ship.

Discharge of Mortgage

34. (1) The Registrar, after production to him of a discharge of mortgage in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations, shall enter in the Register that the mortgage has been discharged.

(2) On that entry being made, the property (if any) which passed to the mortgagee vests in the person to whom, having regard to any intervening acts and circumstances, it would have vested if the mortgage had not been made.

Default of Mortgage

35. (1) A mortgagee shall not by reason of the mortgage be deemed to be the owner of the ship, nor shall a mortgagor be deemed to have ceased to be the owner of the ship.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4), no such mortgagee shall, merely by virtue of the mortgage, be entitled to sell or otherwise dispose of the mortgaged ship or share.

(3) In the event of default of mortgage, the registered mortgagee is entitled to recover the amount due under the mortgage. Upon application, notice of which is to be served on the mortgagor, and any subsequent mortgagees, a Court may grant an order, directing that the mortgaged ship, or any share therein, be sold by tender or at a public auction or in such terms the Court may deem fit, and that the proceeds of the sale be used to satisfy-

(a) the expenses of conducting the sale;

(b) any existing maritime liens against the ship;

(c) the amount outstanding to the mortgagee under the mortgage;

(d) the amount outstanding to subsequent mortgagees;

(e) the balance to the mortgagor.

(4) Upon receiving an application, a Court may set the date of the hearing, notice of which shall be published for three times in a newspaper having wide circulation in Tonga, and the Court shall appoint a person as an officer of the Court, to conduct the sale and distribute the proceeds in accordance with the order. An officer so appointed shall not be liable for any act of commission or omission in conducting the sale or distributing the proceeds if acting in good faith.

(5) Subject to subsection (4), the Court may make an order declaring ownership of the ship to the purchaser, which order may then be registered in the Register, which shall be deemed to be equivalent to a Bill of Sale.

(6) Where more than one person is registered as mortgagee of the same ship, a subsequent mortgagee shall not, except under an order of the Court, make an application to sell the ship without the concurrence of every prior mortgagee.

Transfer of Mortgage

36. (1) A registered mortgage of a ship may be transferred to any person by registration of an instrument of transfer of mortgage in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(2) On production to the Registrar of an instrument of transfer of a registered mortgage and of the mortgage to which the instrument of transfer relates, the Registrar shall-

(a) enter Transfer of the Mortgage in the Register; and

(b) sign the Mortgage and Transfer of Mortgage and state the date and time.

Delivery of Certificate when ship is lost or ceases to be a Tongan ship

37. (1) In the event of a registered ship being an actual or constructive loss, taken by an enemy, burnt or broken up or ceasing for any reason to be a Tongan ship, the owner of the ship shall immediately on obtaining knowledge of the event give notice thereof to the Registrar.

(2) The Registrar shall make an entry thereof in the Register and its registry shall be considered as deleted, except so far as relates to any unsatisfied mortgages registered therein.

(3) Except where the ship's Certificate of Registry is mislaid, lost or destroyed, the master of the ship shall, immediately if any event referred to in subsection (1) occurs in any port in Tonga, or within 7 days after his arrival in any other port if it occurs elsewhere, deliver the Certificate to the Registrar.

(4) The provisions of this section shall apply mutatis mutandis to a ship that is chartered to an Eligible Person.

(5) Any owner or master who fails to comply with this section, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Forfeiture of ship

38. (1) Where any ship has become subject to forfeiture under this Act, the Secretary may seize and detain the ship and make an application to the Supreme Court for an order that the ship, its equipment and stores be forfeited to the Government.

(2) Where an order is made under subsection (1) it shall contain a declaration vesting in the Secretary the right to transfer the ship.

(3) On receipt of the order, the Secretary may conduct the sale of the ship by tender or by public auction, or in such other manner directed by the Court.

(4) On completion of the sale, the Secretary shall be entitled to transfer the ship and issue a Bill of Sale to the purchaser as if he were the registered owner of the ship.

(5) Such sale shall be considered a forced sale and all registered mortgages, or other charges, except those assumed by the purchaser with the consent of the holders, and all liens and other encumbrances of whatsoever nature, shall cease to attach to the ship.

Sale of Ship by Order of the Court

39. (1) Where any ship is subject to arrest and detention an aggrieved party may make an application to the Court for the arrest, detention or sale of the ship in satisfaction in whole or in part of any claims against the ship, its owner, charterer or master.

(2) Where the Court makes an order for sale of the ship, it may make such furtherr orders regarding the sale of the ship, the process to be followed and the distribution of the proceeds as it deems just in the circumstances of the case.

(3) The Registrar shall treat the order as if it were a Bill of Sale and shall enter the same and the name of the purchaser as registered owner.

Transmission of Property in a Ship by operation of law

40. (1) Where the property in a Tongan ship or share therein is transmitted to a person on the death or insolvency of any registered owner, or by any lawful means other than by a transfer under this Act-

(a) that person shall authenticate the transmission by making and signing a Declaration of Transmission, in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations;

(b) if the transmission is consequent on bankruptcy, the Declaration of Transmission shall be accompanied by proper proof of such claim;

(c) if the transmission is consequent of death, the Declaration of Transmission shall be accompanied by-

(i) probate or letters of administration; or

(ii) in case of joint ownership, proof of survivorship or a duly certified copy thereof.

(2) On receipt of the Declaration of Transmission, the Registrar shall enter in the Register the name of persons entitled to be the owner of the ship.

41. (1) The Transmission of Mortgage shall be authenticated by an affidavit sworn by the person to whom the interest is transmitted.

(2) An affidavit referred to in subsection (1) shall contain a statement of the manner in which, and the person to whom, the interest has been transmitted and shall be accompanied by such documents as the Registrar may require.

(3) The Registrar, after receipt of the affidavit and accompanying documents referred to above, shall enter the name of the person entitled to be the mortgagee of the ship in the Register.

Registry Fee

42. (1) The fee for the registry of ships required to be registered under section 8(1), the annual fee and the fees for the documents required to be lodged with the Registrar shall be those prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations and shall be paid to the Registrar before registration.

(2) Fees for the registry of Tongan ships that are approved to be registered under section 8(3) and Bareboat Charters that are eligible to be registered under section 8(2) and documents required to be lodged with the Registrar shall be prescribed by the Minister by publication in the Gazette.

(3) All unpaid registration fees shall constitute a maritime lien on the ship in respect of which such amounts are due and such lien shall have priority over all other except under section 33(4)(a) and (c).

Annual Tonnage Fee

43. (1) This section shall only apply to Tongan ships that are approved to be registered under section 8(3) and Bareboat Charters that are eligible to be registered under section 8(2).

(2) There shall be an annual tonnage fee per gross tonnage for all ships and Bareboat Charters in the Register as prescribed by the Minister by publication in the Gazette.

(3) Unless otherwise provided, all fees payable under this section shall be paid on 1 January of the year in respect of which such fees are due. If payment is not received by 31 March of such year, the Certificate of Registry or the Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registry of the ship for which any fee is overdue shall be cancelled by the Registrar.

(4) Where a ship is entered in the Register for the first time, the fee payable under subsection (3) shall be calculated on a pro-rata basis from the date of registration for the remainder of that calendar year.

(5) All annual tonnage fees shall be paid to the Registrar.

(6) All unpaid annual tonnage fees shall constitute a maritime lien on the ship in respect of which such amounts are due and such lien shall have priority over all otherwise except those for wages and salvage.

(7)	(a) Any ship which is withdrawn from service and laid up for one year or more shall, subject to any condition prescribed under paragraph (c), be exempted from payment of annual tonnage tax under this section during the period of such withdrawal.

(c) [sic] Upon the re-entry of service by such ship the tonnage fee due and payable by such ship shall be calculated on a pro rata basis from the date of such re-entry for the remainder of that calendar year.

(c) The Minister may prescribe by publication in the Gazette the conditions under which any ship may be exempted under paragraph (a).

Flag for Tongan ships

44. (1) The Minister may, by regulations declare what shall be the Tongan Flag for all ships registered under this Act and for all ships which are not so registered but which are owned by the Government; and different flags may be declared for different classes of ships.

(2) The Secretary or any officer authorised by the Minister may board any ship on which any flag is hoisted contrary to this Act and take away the flag which shall be forfeited to the Government following conviction under subsection (3).

(3) The master or owner of a ship on which any flag is hoisted contrary to this Act commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and the ship shall be liable to forfeiture.

Unlawful assumption of Tongan character

45. No person on board a ship that is not a Tongan ship shall use the Tongan Flag with intent to make it appear to be a Tongan ship.

Concealment of Tongan character

46. No owner or master of a Tongan ship shall knowingly do anything, or permit anything to be done, or carry or permit to be carried any papers or documents, with intent to conceal the Tongan character of the ship from any person entitled by any law for the time being in force to inquire into the same, or with intent to deceive any person so entitled as aforesaid.

Tongan ships to hoist Tongan Flag in certain cases

47. A Tongan ship shall hoist the Tongan Flag -

(a) on a signal being made to it by any of His Majesty's ships;

(b) on entering or leaving any foreign port;

(c) if of 15 metres or more in length, on entering or leaving any Tongan port.

National character of ship to be declared before clearance

48. (1) No ship shall be granted outward clearance until the master of that ship declares the name of the country in which it is registered and produces a Certificate of Registry.

(2) Any ship attempting to proceed to sea without such clearance may be detained until clearance has been granted.

Liabilities of ships not recognized as Tongan ships

49. Where it is declared by the Minister that a Tongan ship shall not be recognized as a Tongan ship that ship shall not be entitled to any privileges, benefits, advantages or protection usually enjoyed by Tongan ships or to use the Tongan Flag for Tongan ships or to assume the Tongan national character, but so far as regards the payment of dues, the liability to fine and forfeiture and the punishment of offences committed on board such ship, or by any persons belonging to it, such ship shall be dealt with in the same manner in all respect as if it were a recognized Tongan ship.

Liability of owners, bareboat charterers and operators

50. Owners, Bareboat Charterers and operators shall be subject to any pecuniary penalty imposed by this Act or any other law and proceedings for the enforcement of any such penalty may be taken against any such person with or without joining any other.

Evidence of Register

51. (1) On application to the Registrar and on payment of the prescribed fee, a person may, at any time during office hours, inspect any Register and may obtain a certified copy of any entry in the Register.

(2) The following documents shall be admissible in evidence in any Court in the manner provided by this Act, namely:

(a) any Register on its production from the custody of the Registrar or other person having the lawful custody thereof,

(b) a Certificate of Registry or Certificate of Bareboat Charter Registration under this Act purporting to be signed by the Registrar or any other officer authorised by the Minister;

(c) an endorsement on a certificate of registry purporting to be signed by the Registrar or any other officer authorised by the Minister;

(d) every declaration made in pursuance of this Act in respect of a Tongan ship.

(3) A certified copy of an entry in a Register shall be admissible in evidence in any Court and have the same effect as the original entry in the Register of which it is a copy.

Declarations

52. Any declaration required to be made under this Act shall be made before any one of the following persons -

(a) the Secretary, Registrar or a Deputy Registrar;

(b) a consul or consular agent of Tonga;

(c) a diplomatic officer of Tonga; or

(d) a barrister, solicitor, notary public, magistrate, commissioner for oaths or any other officer, authorised by the laws of the place where the declaration is made.

(2) Where a ship registered under section 8(1) of this Act is transferred, the transferee shall not be entitled to be registered as owner of the ship until a declaration is made in the Form prescribed in the Shipping (Registration) Regulations.

(3) Any document purporting to bear the seal or signature of any person authorised under this Act to take a declaration shall be admissible in evidence without proof of the seal or signature.

False Declarations and Statements

53. Any person who knowingly -

(a) makes a false declaration, statement or representation;

(b) gives false evidence on oath; or

(c) alters, produces or makes use of any false declaration or statement,

in connection with any application, report, record or proceeding under this Act, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or a fine not exceeding $20,000.

Offences

54. Where an owner, master or charterer of a Tongan ship commits an offence against this Act a Court may, in addition to any other penalty, order the Registrar to remove the ship from the Register.

Tongan seafarers

55. (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, determine the number of Tongan seafarers that shall be employed, wherever practicable, on Tongan ships.

(2) The charterer of a ship the Bareboat Charter of which is registered on the Bareboat Charter Registry who fails, without reasonable excuse, to employ the number of Tongans determined under subsection (1) within 12 months after registration of the charter, shall pay twice the annual registration fees in respect of that ship.

(3) The owner of a ship registered on the Register who fails, without reasonable excuse, to employ the requisite number of Tongans as determined under subsection (1) within 12 months after registration, shall pay twice the prescribed Annual Tonnage Fee.

(4) The owners and charterers of ships to which subsections (2) and (3) apply who have not complied with this section after 36 months after initial registration shall be required to register their ships or Bareboat Charters in a registry in another jurisdiction.

(5) Any ship of which the owner or master has failed to comply with subsection (4) shall be struck off the Register.

Saving Provision

56. Any entry made in the Register prior to the Shipping (Amendment) Act 2001 coming into force and any documents or certificate in the possession of the Registrar, owner, charterer, mortgagee, master or any other person entitled to hold the document or certificate shall continue to be valid as if it was made after the said Act came into force."

4. Section 97 of the Principal Act is deleted and replaced with the following:

"Burial expenses

97. (1) Upon the death of a seaman during his employment on a Tongan ship, whether on board or ashore, the ship owner or charterer shall within three months of the death pay a lump sum equal to his base annual salary to the seaman's next of kin or personal representative.

(2) The ship owner or charterer shall not be liable to pay the amount under subsection (1) if the seaman is a member of the Government Retirement Fund.

(3) Upon the death of a seaman during his employment on a Tongan ship outside Tongan waters whether on board or ashore, the ship owner or charterer shall be liable to repatriate the body of the deceased seaman to Tonga in the most expeditious manner.

(4) On return of the deceased seaman's body to Tonga, the ship owner or charterer of the ship on which the seaman was employed at the time of employment shall pay a lump sum in compensation for reasonable funeral expenses incurred by the seafarer's next of kin or personal representative.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the owner or charterer of the ship in which the seaman was employed at the time of his death shall pay a lump sum corresponding to the basic wages of the deceased to the end of the month in which the death occurred to his next of kin or personal representative".

5. Section 131(1) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting the number "123" and replacing it with "145".

6. Section 137 of the Principal Act is deleted and replaced with the following:

"Alterations to a ship

137. For the purposes of this Act:

"alteration" means a change to the original hull, structure, motive power, auxiliary power, equipment, appurtenances, outfittings and furnishings of a significant nature of the ship includes repairs and modification.

"significant nature" means that such change affects the use of the ship, its safety, seaworthiness, safety of passengers on board and the particulars contained in its Certificate of Registry."

7. Section 161 of the Principal Act is deleted and replaced with the following:

"Object found at sea

161. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Part, any object found in Tongan waters that is not a wreck shall be regarded as the property of the Government.

(2) Any person finding such as an object in Tongan waters shall forthwith deliver it for safekeeping to the appropriate Government officer appointed under this Part who shall immediately inform the Secretary.

(3) The Minister may in his discretion, pay the finder any reasonable expense incurred in delivering the object to the Government officer and may in addition pay such reward, as the Minister deems just and reasonable.

(4) If the true owner of the object found at sea can prove his ownership of the object to the satisfaction of the Minister, the object shall be released to him upon payment of any expenses reasonably incurred.

(5) If any owner does not exercise any right to an object found at sea within 12 months after the object is found, all rights to the object are extinguished and ownership vests in the Government.

(6) The operation of this Part of this Act shall not derogate from or interfere with the rights, duties and obligations of other Government agencies contained in this Act or any other Act."

8. Section 195(2) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting the word "the" before "Court" in line 2 and replacing it with "a".

Passed in the Legislative Assembly this 24th day of October, 2001.

-----------------------------------

TONGA

Fika 23 'o e 2001.

'Oku ou loto ki ai,

TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV,
11 'o Siulai, 2002.

KO E LAO
KE FAKATONUTONU 'A E LAO KI HE FOLAU VAKA

[24 'Okatopa, 2001.]

'OKU TU'UTU'UNI 'e he Tu'i mo e Fale Alea 'o Tonga' 'i he Fakataha Alea 'o e Pule'anga 'o pehe:-

1. (1) 'E ui 'a e Lao ni ko e Lao (Fakatonutonu) ki he Folau Vaka 2001.

(2) 'Oku ui 'i he Lao ni 'a e Lao ki he Folau Vaka (Vahe 136) ko e Tefito'i Lao.

2. 'Oku fakatonutonu 'a e kupu 3(2) 'o e Tefito'i Lao 'aki hono fakahu atu 'eni hili 'a e palakalafi (e):

"(f) Konivesio ki he Fakafaingofua'i 'o e Fefolau'aki Fakavaha'a-pule'anga 'i Tahi (FAL) 1965 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(g) Konivesio ki he Fakangatangata 'o e Mo'ua ki he Ngaahi 'Eke Folau Tahi, (LLMC) 1976 mo e Felotoi 'o e 1996 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(h) Konivesio ki he Ta'ofi 'o e Ngaahi Ngaue Ta'efakalao ki he Malu 'a e Folau Vaka 'i Tahi (SUA) 1988 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(i) Konivesio Fakavaha'apule'anga 'i he Kumi mo e Fakahaofi 'i Tahi (SAR) 1989 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(j) Konivesio ki he Fakahaofi (Salvage) 1989 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(l) [sic] Konivesio ki he Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua mo e Ngaahi Mokisi 'i Tahi 1993 (MLM) 'i hono fakatonutonu mei he taimi ki he taimi;

(m) Ko e Ongo Felotoi SOLAS 'o e 1978 mo e 1988 'i hono fakatonutonu mei taimi ki he taimi."

(2) 'Oku fakatonutonu 'a e Kupu 3(4) 'o e Tefito'i Lao'aki hono tamate'I 'a e "(e)" 'i he laine hono ua kae fetongi'aki 'a e "(m)".

3. 'Oku tamate'i 'a e KONGA III 'o e Tefito'i Lao' pea fetongi'aki 'eni:

"KONGA III - LESISITA 'O E NGAAHI VAKA

7. 'I he Konga ni, tukukehe ka fiema'u ha 'uhinga kehe 'i hono tu'unga'-

"Taha kuo Fakangofua" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha taha, 'oku 'ikai ko ha taha pe kautaha Tonga, kuo fakangofua 'e he Sekelitali' ke ne lesisita ha vaka 'i he Lesisita';

"No Vaka 'Ata'ata" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha aleapau ki hono lisi pe toe-lisi 'o ha vaka, ki ha vaha'a taimi pau, 'a is kuo pau 'e pule'i 'aupito mo ma'u kakato ai 'e ha taha no 'a e vaka', kau ai 'a e totonu ke ne fokotu'u hano 'eikivaka mo e kau kauvaka ki he vaha'a taimi 'o e no, ka 'oku 'ikai kau heni 'a e totonu ke fakatau atu pe mokisi 'a e vaka';

"Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata" 'oku 'uhinga ki hano lesisita 'o ha No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'i he Lesisita';

"Taha Fe'unga" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha taha pe kautaha 'oku 'i ai hano 'ofisi 'i Tonga 'oku 'i ai ha kau ngaue 'a is 'e 'i ai ha tokotaha pe tokolahi ange ko ha taha Tonga, 'oku ne fakamatala fatongia totonu ki he Pule'anga ma'ae taha no;

"Ngaahi Fakaikiiki" 'oku kau ai 'a e ngaahi fotunga mo e fakaikiiki kotoa pe 'o e vaka', ni'ihi 'oku 'onautolu ia', kau noo' mo e ngaahi mokisi 'o hange ko is 'e hoko', 'a is 'oku fiema'u 'e he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka;

"Taha Taau" 'Oku 'uhinga ki ha taha fakafo'ituitui pe ha kautaha Tonga 'a is 'oku lesisita 'i Tonga 'i he Lao ki he Ngaahi Kautaha' 1995;

"Lesisita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Lesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka' 'oku tauhi 'o fakatatau ki he kupu 9(2);

"Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he lesisita 'i he fonua 'a is 'oku lesisita ai 'a e ni'ihi ko kinautolu 'oku 'onautolu ha vaka 'a is kuo pau 'e foki ki ai 'a e mafai' mo e pule' 'i ha ngata 'a e lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata, pea ko e "Tefito'i Lesisita" mo e "Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita" kuo pau 'e faka'uhinga'i tatau pe."

Ko e Fai'anga Lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka

8. (1) Ko e vaka kotoa pe, 'oku mita 'e 15 pe lahi ange hono loloa', 'oku ma'u 'e ha Taha Taau, kuo pau ke lesisita is 'i he Lao ni. Ko ha vaka 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita ka kuo 'ikai ke lesisita kuo pau 'e 'ikai lau is ko ha vaka Tonga.

(2) Ko e Vaka No 'Ata'ata kotoa pe 'o ha vaka, 'oku mita 'e 15 mo lahi ange, 'oku no 'e ha Taha Fe'unga, kuo pau ke fe'unga ke lesisita is 'i he Lao ni. Ko ha vaka 'i ha No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku lesisita 'i he Lao ni 'oku lau is ko ha vaka Tonga.

(3) Ko e vaka kotoa pe, 'oku ma'u 'e ha Taha kuo Fakangofua, 'e ngofua ke lesisita is 'i he Lao ni, ka kuo pau ke fai pau 'a e taha 'oku 'o'ona pe 'onautolu mo e vaka' ki he ngaahi tu'unga 'oku ha 'i he Konga ni 'o fakatatau ki he Lesisita'.

(4) 'E ngofua ke ta'ofi ha vaka 'oku fiema'u 'e he Lao ni ke lesisita 'i ha tu'utu'uni 'a e Minisita kae'oua ke 'oatu 'e he 'eikivaka 'o e vaka', kapau 'e fiema'u, ke 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni Lesisita fekau'aki mo e vaka ko ia.

'Ofisi 'o e Failesisita

9. (1) Kuo pau ke fokotu'u 'e he Minisita ha Failesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka', 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti', 'a is kuo pau ke ne tokanga'i hono pule'i mo fakalele 'a e Fai'anga Lesisita'.

(2) Kuo pau ke fakahu 'e he Failesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka' 'a e Ngaahi Fakaikiiki 'o e ngaahi vaka Tonga 'oku fiema'u pe ngofua ke lesisita mo e ngaahi Vaka No 'Ata'ata 'oku fe'unga ke lesisita' 'i he Lesisita'.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti', ke ne fokotu'u ha Kau Failesisita Tokoni 'o e Ngaahi Vaka' 'a is 'oku fiema'u ki hono fakahoko 'o e Lao ni.

(4) Kuo pau ke lesisita 'a e ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o ha ngaahi vaka 'oku ma'u 'e ha Taha kuo Fakangofua 'i he kupu 8(2) 'i he 'ofisi 'o e Failesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka' 'i Nuku'alofa.

(5) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ala mo'ua 'a e Failesisita', pe ha taha 'oku ne ngaue 'i he malumalu 'o hono mafai', ki ha fa'ahinga mole 'e hoko ki ha taha koe'uhi ko ha ngaue pe ta'e fakahoko ha ngaue, tukukehe kapau na'e tupu 'i ha ta'etokanga 'ilo pau pe matu'aki ta'etokanga 'a e taha ko ia'.

Ngaahi fiema'u kimu'a pea toki lesisita

10. Ko e vaka kotoa pe 'oku mita 'e 15 mo lahi ange 'a is 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(1) kuo pau, kimu'a pea toki lesisita', ke ne fai pau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni taau' kotoa pe 'o e Lao' ni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka'.

Fai'anga Lesisita 'o e Ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata

11. (1) Kuo pau ke lau 'oku lesisita ha vaka ko ha vaka Tonga 'i he Konga ni, kapau ko e vaka ko ia':

(a) ko e Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku no atu ki ha Taha Fe'unga;

(b) 'oku 'ikai ko ha vaka Tonga 'i he taimi 'o e kole';

(c) 'oku 'ikai ke lesisita 'i ha Fai'anga Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kehe; mo

(d) 'oatu 'a e ngaahi tohi kuo fakamo'oni ko 'eni'ki he Failesisita:

(i) ha Kole Lesisita mei he Taha No Vaka 'Ata'ata' pe ko hano fakafofonga kuo fakamafai'i, 'o kau ai ha fakamatala 'a is 'oku fiema'u 'e ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e Lao ni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka;

(ii) ha fanongonongo 'o e No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo fai 'e he taha no, 'o 'oatu fakataha mo ha tatau 'a e fa'ahi no;

(iii) ha tatau 'o e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita 'i he Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita;

(iv) 'a e fakaha loto ki ai 'i he tohi 'a e ni'ihi ko 'eni' ki hono lesisita 'o e No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o e vaka ko is 'i Tonga:

(aa) kau ma'u mafai fe'unga 'o e Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita;

(bb) ni'ihi 'oku 'anautolu 'a e vaka';

(cc) ngaahi mokasi kotoa kuo 'osi lesisita.

(2) Kuo pau ke 'oatu 'a e ngaahi fakatonutonu mo e ngaahi liliu kotoa pe ki he No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'i he tohi ki he Failesisita' 'e he taha no' 'i loto 'i he 'aho 'e 7 mei he fakatonutonu pe liliu ko ia'.

(3) Kuo pau ke 'oatu 'a e ngaahi fakatonutonu mo e ngaahi liliu ki he Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita fekau'aki mo e vaka ko 'eni 'i he tohi ki he Failesisita 'e he taha no 'i loto 'i he 'aho 'e 7 mei he fakatonutonu pe liliu ko ia.

(4) Ko e lau ki he "tohi kuo 'osi sio 'a e Failesisita' 'o e Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita ki he ngaahi tohi 'olisinale' mo fakamo'oni'i 'a e ngaahi tatau' ko ha ngaahi tatau mo'oni 'aki 'ene faka'ilonga nima' mo 'ene sila'.

Lesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka 'e he Taha kuo Fakangofua

12. (1) 'E ngofua ke fakahu ha vaka 'oku ma'u 'e ha Taha kuo Fakangofua ki he lesisita' ko ha vaka Tonga 'i he Konga ni, kapau ko e vaka ko ia';

(a) 'oku 'ikai ke lesisita 'i ha to e Pule'anga kehe;

(b) 'oku 'ikai ko ha vaka Tonga 'i he taimi 'o e kole'.

(2) Kuo pau ke fakapapau'i 'e he Minisita 'a e ngaahi tu'unga ke lau ai ha taha ko ha Taha kuo Fakangofua.

(3) 'O makatu'unga 'i hano fokotu'u ha ngaahi tu'unga pehe, 'e ngofua ki he Sekelitali' ke ne fakapapau'i pe 'oku totonu ke lau ha taha ko ha Taha kuo Fakangofua.

(4) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai fakahu ha vaka 'oku ta'efe'unga ke folau 'i tahi ki he Lesisita'.

Lesisita

13. Kuo pau ke kouna 'e he Failesisita' ke tauhi ha tohi 'e ui ko e Lesisita pea kuo pau ke fakatatau 'a e ngaahi me'a 'e fakahu ki he Lesisita' ki he ngaahi kupu 'o e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka'.

Taulanga Fai'anga Lesisita

14. (1) Ko e Taulanga Fai'anga Lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka 'a is 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'o fakatatau ki he kupu 8(1) kuo pau ko e taulanga 'o Nuku'alofa' mo ha ngaahi taulanga kehe 'i he Pule'anga 'o Tonga' 'e ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i he fanongonongo 'i he Kasete', ke ne fakaha ko ha ngaahi taulanga fai'anga lesisita ai 'i he Lao ni.

(2) Ko e Taulanga Fai'anga Lesisita ai 'o e Ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(2)' kuo pau ko e taulanga 'o Nuku'alofa'.

(3) Ko e Taulanga Fai'anga Lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka 'a ha Taha kuo Fakangofua 'a is 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(3) kuo pau ko e taulanga 'o Nuku'alofa'.

Ngaahi Kole Lesisita

15. (1) Kuo pau ke fai 'a e ngaahi kole Lesisita' 'o fakatatau ki he foomu 'oku tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka'.

(2) Ko ha Kole Lesisita 'o e vaka kotoa pe 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(1) kuo pau ke fai is 'e ha Taha Taau pe 'e honau fakafofonga kuo fakamafai'i.

(3) Ko ha Kole Lesisita 'o ha No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'i he kupu 8(2) kuo pau ke fai ia 'e ha Taha Fe'unga.

(4) Kuo pau ke fai ha Kole Lesisita 'o ha vaka 'i he kupu 8(3) 'e ha Taha kuo Fakangofua.

Fua 'o e Toni

16. (1) Ka fai ha kole lesisita 'o ha vaka 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'i he Lao ni, kuo pau ke kouna 'e he taha kole' ke savea'i 'a e vaka' 'e ha taha savea kuo tali 'e he Sekelitali' pea kuo pau ke fakapapau'i 'a e toni 'o e vaka' 'i he founga 'oku tu'utu'uni 'i he Konivesio Toni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(2) Kuo pau ki he taha savea', 'i hono fakahoko 'o e savea', ke ne 'oatu ha tohi fakamo'oni 'o e toni mei he taha savea 'o fakamahino'i ai 'a e toni 'o e vaka' mo e ngaahi fakaikiiki kehe 'oku fakamatala'i mo fakamahino'i 'aki 'a e vaka' 'i he founga kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Konivesio Toni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, pea kuo pau ke 'ave 'a e tohi fakamo'oni ko ia' ki he Failesisita'.

(3) Kapau ko ha vaka 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'i he Lao ni ko ha vaka lolotonga pea kuo 'osi fakapapau'i 'a e toni 'o e vaka' 'o fakatatau ki he Konivesio Toni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, 'e ngofua ke tukuange 'e he Sekelitali' 'i he'ene fakakaukau 'a e ngaahi fiema'u 'i he ongo kupu si'i (1) mo e (2).

(4) Kuo pau ke fakapapau'i 'a e toni 'o ha vaka 'a is 'e lesisita hono No Vaka 'Ata'ata' 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o fakatatau ki he Konivesio Toni mo e ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, ka kuo pau ke ngofua ki he Sekelitali' 'i he'ene fakakaukau' ke ne tali 'a e toni kuo lekooti 'i he Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita kapau 'oku ne fiemalie na'e fakapapau'i is 'i he founga kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Konivesio Toni.

(5) Kuo pau ke lesisita 'a e toni 'o ha vaka 'e lesisita 'i he Lesisita ka 'oku 'ikai ko ha No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o fakatatau ki he Konivesio Toni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, ka 'e ngofua ki he Sekelitali 'i he'ene fakakaukau ke tali 'a e toni kuo lekooti 'i ha tohi fakamo'oni tohi fakatu'apule'anga ki mu'a 'o e vaka kapau 'oku ne fiemalie na'e fakapapau'i is 'i he founga kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Konivesio Toni.

Faka'ilonga'i 'o e ngaahi vaka'

17. (1) Ko e vaka kotoa pe 'oku kole ke lesisita kuo pau, kimu'a pea lesisita', ke faka'ilonga'i tu'uma'u mo mahino is 'o fakatatau ki he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(2) Fakatatau ki ha tu'utu'uni kehe 'i he Lao ni pea 'i he Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka', kuo pau ki he taha 'oku Vona', taha no pe 'eiki vaka 'o e vaka' ke ne fakahoko 'a e sitepu fakapotopoto kotoa pe ke fakapapau'i 'oku faka'ilonga'i ma'u pe 'a e vaka' 'o hange ko e fiema'u 'a e Lao ni, pea kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke hanga 'e he taha no pe 'eiki vaka' 'o fakangofua ke fai hano liliu 'o e ngaahi faka'ilonga ko ia'.

(3) Kapau 'e 'ikai ke tauhi 'e ha taha 'oku Vona, taha no pe 'eikivaka 'o ha vaka Tonga 'a e ngaahi faka'ilonga' 'o hange ko is 'oku fiema'u', pe kapau 'e hanga 'e ha taha 'o fakapuliki, to'o, liliu, fakakehe'i pe tamate'i ha ngaahi faka'ilonga, kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'a e taha no pe 'eikivaka' ki he hia takitaha 'i ha'ane halaia ki h a tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000, pea kapau 'oku 'ikai fe'unga pe hala hono faka'ilonga'i 'o e vaka', 'e ngofua ke ta'ofi is 'e he Sekelitali' kae'oua kuo fakalelei'i 'a e ta'e fe'unga pe hala ko ia'.

Fakahu 'a e hingoa 'o e vaka 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata

18. (1) Fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (2), ko ha vaka kuo lesisita 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo pau ke fakahu is 'aki 'a e hingoa 'oku lesisita 'aki' 'i he Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita.

(2) Kuo pau ke liliu 'a e hingoa 'o ha vaka 'e fakahu ki he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kimu'a 'i hono fakahu kapau 'oku tatau pe faitatau 'a e hingoa ko ia' mo ha hingoa 'o ha vaka kuo 'osi fakahu pe 'ikai ke faipau ki he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, ka kuo pau ke 'osi ma'u 'e he Failesisita ha loto ki ai 'i he tohi mei he ngaahi ma'u mafai fe'unga 'o e Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita, ni'ihi 'onautolu', mo ha ngaahi mokisi kuo lesisita.

Fakahu 'o e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'i he Lesisita

19. 'I ha fiemalie 'a e Failesisita kuo 'osi fakahoko 'a e ngaahi fiema'u kotoa pe ki he lesisita 'o ha vaka 'oku ha 'i he Konga' ni mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, kau ai hono totongi 'o ha ngaahi totongi, kuo pau ke ne-

(a) fakahu 'i he Lesisita 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'o e vaka' 'a is 'oku fiema'u 'e he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka;

(b) tauhi ha ngaahi tohi 'oku fiema'u 'e he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka;

(c) 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata

20. Kuo pau ki he Failesisita', kapau 'oku ne fiemalie kuo 'osi fakahoko 'a e ngaahi fiema'u kotoa pe ki he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku fakamahino'i 'i he Konga mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka, pea 'i hano totongi 'a e totongi kuo tu'utu'uni', ke ne -

(a) fakahu 'i he Lesisita' -

(i) 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki kotoa pe 'o e vaka' mo hono Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita;

(ii) 'a e ngaahi hingoa 'o e ni'ihi 'oku 'onautolu mo e kau no vaka mo honau ngaahi fakaikiiki; mo e

(iii) 'aho 'osi 'o e no;

(b) fakaha ki he kau ma'u mafai taau 'o e Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita 'a e No Vaka 'Ata'ata; mo

(c) 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata, 'a is kuo pau ke kau ai 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'o e vaka', hingoa 'o e Taulanga Fia'anga lesisita 'i Tonga mo e 'aho 'osi 'o e No Vaka 'Ata'ata pea kuo pau ke 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(2) 'I hono 'oatu 'o ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita Vaka No 'Ata'ata kuo pau ke 'oatu ki he kau ma'u mafai fe'unga 'o e Fai'anga Lesisita ko ia' 'a e ngaahi tohi kotoa pe kuo 'oatu ki he vaka ko ia' 'e he Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita.

(3) 'I loto 'i ha 'aho 'e tolungofulu mei he 'aho hono 'oatu ki he taha no vaka' 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo pau ke ne fai mo 'oatu ki he Failesisita' ha fakaha 'o pehe kuo 'osi 'oatu 'a e ngaahi tohi kotoa pe.

(4) Kuo pau ke ngata 'a e Lesisita 'o ha Lesisita No Vaka 'ata'ata 'i he 'aho 'e ngata ai 'a e No Vaka 'Ata'ata.

(5) 'E ngofua ke kole 'a e taha no ki ha fakaloloa 'o e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata, pea 'i hano totongi 'o e totongi kuo tu'utu'uni', kuo pau ke fakahu 'e he Failesisita 'a e 'aho ngata'anga fo'ou 'o e No Vaka 'Ata'ata ko ia' 'i he Lesisita'.

Ngaahi tu'unga ki he ta'e-Lesisita

21. Neongo 'a e kupu 19 pe 20 'e ngofua ki he Minisita, kapau 'oku ne fakakaukau 'oku taau pe fakapotopoto 'i ha fa'ahinga 'uhinga, ke ne fekau 'a e Failesisita' ke 'oua to ne fakahu 'i he Lesisita' ha vaka pe 'inasi, pe ha No Vaka 'Ata'ata.

Tohi Fakamo'oni kuo 'oatu 'e he Failesisita

22. (1) Ko e ngaahi tohi fakamo'oni kuo 'oatu 'e he Failesisita'kuo pau -

(a) ke tauhi is 'e he 'eikivaka' 'i ha feitu'u malu 'i loto vaka pea ke ne fakahu 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'i he Tohinoa Fakalao';

(b) ko e koloa is 'a e Pule'anga';

(c) ke 'ave is kapau 'e fiema'u 'e ha taha 'oku 'i ai hano mafai fakalao ke ne sivi 'a e ngaahi tohi fakamo'oni ko ia';

(d) ke toki 'oatu pe is ki ha pisinisi fakalao 'o e vaka.

(2) Ko e tohi fakamo'oni kuo 'oatu 'e he Failesisita' kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke to'o pe tauhi is 'e ha taha 'oku 'i ai pe 'oku ne 'eke'i ha'ane kaunga 'i he vaka' 'aki ha totonu, mo'ua, mokisi pe ha mo'ua kehe 'o e vaka'.

(3) Kuo pau ke fakahu 'a e hingoa 'o e 'eikivaka 'o e vaka' 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'e he Failesisita' 'o fakatatau ki he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(4) Kapau 'oku fetongi 'a e 'eikivaka 'o ha vaka Tonga lolotonga 'oku 'i Tonga ni 'a e vaka', kuo pau ke tohi fakamo'oni'i mo fakamo'oni hingoa 'a e Failesisita 'i hano tohi'i 'a e fetongi ko ia' 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ko e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata.

(5) Kapau 'e fetongi 'a e 'eikivaka 'o ha vaka Tonga lolotonga 'oku 'ikai ke 'i Tonga ni 'a e vaka ko ia', kuo pau ke fakapapau'i 'e he 'eikivaka fo'ou' 'e tohi fakamo'oni'i mo fakamo'oni hingoa ha 'ofisa totonu 'i he taulanga 'e tau hoko ki ai 'a e vaka', 'i hano tohi'i 'a e fetongi ko ia' 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ko e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata pea kuo pau ke ne fakaha leva is ki he Failesisita'.

(6) Ka 'i ai ha taha, 'oku 'i ai pe 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha'ane kaunga fakalao 'i he vaka', 'oku ne ma'u pe 'oku ne pule'i ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo pau ke ne 'ave 'a e tohi fakamo'oni ko ia' ki he taha 'oku totonu ke ne tauhi ia' 'oka ne fiema'u ki he taumu'a 'o e pisinisi fakalao' 'o e vaka, pe ki ha Failesisita, pe ha taha kehe 'oku 'i ai ha'ane totonu fakalao' ke 'ave ki ai.

(7) Ka 'i ai ha taha 'oku 'ikai ke ne 'ave 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ha Tohi Fakamo'oni Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'a is 'oku fiema'u 'e he kupu si'i (6) 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'o ka halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Ngaue ta'e totonu 'aki 'a e Ngaahi Tohi Fakama'ono

23. Ka 'i ai ha taha 'oku 'o'ona ha vaka 'oku ne ngaue'aki pe feinga ke ngaue'aki ki ha fa'ahinga taumu'a ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita kuo foaki ta'efakalao 'o fekau'aki mo e vaka ko ia', 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'o ka halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Ngaue'aki 'o e Ngaahi Konivesio Fakavaha'a-pule'anga ki he Ngaahi vaka Tonga

24. (1) Ko e ngaahi vaka Tonga 'oku fiema'u pe fakangofua ke lesisita mo e ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he Lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka 'a Tonga' kuo pau ke ne uta 'a e ngaahi tohi fakamo'oni ko is 'oku fiema'u 'e he ngaahi konivesio fakavaha'apule'anga 'oku kau ki ai 'a Tonga.

(2) Ko ha kole ki ha savea pe ha to e 'oatu 'o ha ngaahi tohi fakamo'oni kuo pau ke fai is ki he Sekelitali'.

(3) Kapau 'oku fakahoko 'e ha vaka pehe 'a e ngaahi fiema'u 'o ha konivesio fakavaha'apule'anga, 'e ngofua ke 'oatu 'e he Sekelitali' ha tohi fakamo'oni 'oku fe'unga' ki he vaka ko is 'i he mafai 'o e Pule'anga'.

(4) Ka 'i ai ha vaka Tonga 'a is 'oku fiema'u pe 'oku fakangofua ke lesisita mo ha no Vaka 'Ata'atua 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he Lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka Tonga' 'a is kuo 'osi 'oatu ki ai ha tohi fakamo'oni 'oku fiema'u 'i ha konivesio fakavaha'apule'anga 'e ha Fonua 'oku kau ki he konivesio ko ia', pea 'i ha kole, 'e ngofua ki he Sekelitali, kapau 'oku ne fakapapau'i 'oku fakalao 'a e tohi fakamo'oni ko ia', ke ne 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Fakamo'oni'i ki he vaha'a taimi 'o e 'uluaki tohi fakamo'oni', 'a is kuo pau ke ne ma'u 'a e tu'unga tatau mo e 'uluaki tohi fakamo'oni'.

(5) Kapau 'oku 'ikai kau 'a Tonga ki ha fa'ahinga konivesio fakavaha'apule'anga pau pea kuo 'oatu 'e he pule'anga 'o e Tefito'i Fai'anga Lesisita ha tohi fakamo'oni 'a is 'oku fiema'u 'i he konivesio ko is pea 'e ngofua ke 'oatu 'e he Sekelitali' ha tohi fakamo'oni tatau mo is pea kuo pau ke ne fakafoki 'a e 'uluaki tohi fakamo'oni' ki he ma'u mafai na'a ne 'oatu'.

Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata-Mafai

25. Ko e vaka kotoa pe kuo fakahu ki he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo pau -

(a) ke lau is ko ha vaka Tonga;

(b) ke 'i he mafai mo e malumalu 'o Tonga;

(c) ke ne fai pau ki he ngaahi lao kotoa pe 'oku ngaue'aki ki he ngaahi vaka Tonga'; pea

(d) ke ne fusi pe 'a e fuka Tonga' 'a is 'oku tu'utu'uni 'i he Lao ni.

Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata - Taha 'oku 'O'ona

26. (1) Ko hono lesisita 'o ha vaka 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ne fakaha 'e is ha fa'ahinga totonu ki he ma'u (ownership) 'a e vaka ko ia' pea kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ne uesia 'a e totonu, hiki mo e liliu 'o e vaka ko ia' pe ha ngaahi 'inasi 'i ai'.

(2) 'I hano hiki 'a e ma'u (ownership) 'o'ona ha vaka, 'a is kuo fakahu hono no 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata', kuo pau ke fakaaa 'a e hiki ko ia' ki he Failesisita''e he kau no 'o hange ko e fiema'u 'a e kupu 10. Kuo pau ke kei tu'u 'a e me'a kuo fakahu ki he Lesisita' tukukehe ka 'oatu 'e he ni'ihi fo'ou 'oku 'onautolu is ha fakafepaki ki he Failesisita'.

(3) Kapau 'e fakangata 'a e no 'e he ni'ihi fo'ou 'oku 'anautolu' 'a e vaka' kuo pau ke ngata ai mo e me'a kuo fakahu 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata.

Mafai ke foaki ha ngaahi tohi fakamo'oni fo'ou

27. (1) Kapau 'e 'i ai ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ha Tohi Fakamo'oni Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o ha vaka Tonga 'oku -

(a) fakakehe'i pe mahaehae;

(b) puli, mole pe ta'e'aonga;

(c) tauhi 'e ha taha 'oku 'ikai ha'ane totonu ki ai,

kuo pau ke foaki 'e he Failesisita ha Tohi Fakamo'oni fo'ou ke fetongi 'aki 'a e 'uluaki Tohi Fakamo'oni' 'i hano totongi 'o e totongi kuo tu'utu'uni'.

(2) Kapau 'e ma'u 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) 'i ha taimi 'amui 'e he taha 'oku totonu ke ne ma'u ia', kuo pau ke 'ave 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni ko ia' ki he Failesisita' ke kaniseli. Ko ha taha 'oku ne ta'e 'ave 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'i ha'ane halaia ke ne ala mo'ua pa'anga 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Lesisita 'o e ngaahi liliu ki ha vaka

28. (1) Ka liliu ha vaka Tonga pea 'ikai ke fakatau ki he ngaahi fakaikiiki fekau'aki mo e Tohi Fakamo'oni Toni' pe ko e fakamatala 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita, kuo pau ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka' 'i loto 'i he 'aho 'e 7 mei he fai 'o e liliu ko ia', ke ne tohi kole ki he Failesisita' ke lesisita 'a e liliu'.

(2) Kuo pau ke 'oatu fakataha ha kole 'i he kupu ni mo ha Tohi Fakamo'oni Toni pea kuo pau ki he Failesisita' 'i hano ma'u 'o e kole' mo e totongi kuo tu'utu'uni', ke ne kouna ke lesisita 'a e liliu ko ia'.

(3) Ko e taha kotoa pe 'oku 'o'ona ha vaka 'oku ne ta'e fai ki he kupu ni 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau ke ne ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Vakai'i 'a e ngaahi me's kuo fakahu 'i he Lesisita'

29. (1) Kapau 'oku 'i ai ha 'uhinga ke tui ai 'a e Failesisita' 'oku 'ikai ke 'i he Lesisita' 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki toms 'o fekau'aki mo ha vaka, 'e ngofua ke ne fekau 'a e taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka', pe ha taha kehe 'oku ne ma'u ha fakamatala fekau'aki mo e vaka', ke ne 'omai kiate is ha fakamatala.

(2) Ko ha taha 'oku ne ta'e fai ki he kupu ni, 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau ke ne ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Hiki 'a e taha 'oku Vona 'aki ha Tohi Fakatau

30. (1) Ka 'I ai ha vaka kuo lesisita 'I he Lao ni 'oku tuku atu ki ha Taha Taau pe ha Taha kuo Fakangofua kuo pau ke hiki 'a e vaka ko ia' 'aki ha Tohi Fakatau 'I he Foomu 'oku tu'utu'uni 'I he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka pea ke fakahoko is 'e he taha 'oku hiki mei ai' mo e taha 'oku hiki ki ai', pea, kapau ko ha kautaha, 'aki hano 'ai ki ai 'a e sila fakakautaha'.

(2) Kapau ko ha vaka fo'u fo'ou, 'e lau ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'a e Taha Fo'u Vaka' ko ha Tohi Fakatau is ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni.

(3) 'I hono 'oatu ha kole ki he Failesisita, 'e ngofua ke lesisita ha Tohi Fakatau pehe 'i he Lesisita 'o e Ngaahi Vaka' kapau kuo 'osi fakahoko 'a e ngaahi me'a kotoa pe kuo pau ke tomu'a fakahoko' 'a is 'oku ha 'i he Konga ni pea 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(4) 'I hono lesisita, kuo pau ke 'ave 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita motu'a' ki he Failesisita', 'a is kuo pau ke ne 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita fo'ou ki he taha fo'ou 'oku Vona'.

(5) 'I hano fakatau atu ha vaka kuo lesisita 'i Tonga ni 'e ha Taha Taau ki ha Taha Taau 'e taha, kuo pau ke tohi fakamo'oni'i 'a e fetongi 'o e taha 'oku 'o'ona 'e he Failesisita' 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni Lesisita 'o e vaka'.

Lesisita 'o e Ngaahi Mokisi

31. (1) 'Oku malava ke hoko ha vaka kuo lesisita ko ha malu'i 'o ha no pe ha mo'ua fakapa'anga kehe 'aki ha mokisi 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(2) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke lesisita 'e he Failesisita' ha mokisi pe ha mo'ua kehe 'oku 'eke ki ha vaka kae'oua ke fakakakato mo fakamo'oni hingoa 'a e ngaahi fa'ahi'ki he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(3) 'I hono 'oatu kiate is ha mokisi, kuo pau ke lesisita 'e he Failesisita' 'a e mokisi' 'aki 'ene fakahu 'a e me'a ko ia' 'i he Lesisita'.

(4) Kuo pau ki he Failesisita'-

(a) ke ne lesisita 'a e ngaahi mokisi 'i he hokohoko 'oku 'oatu kinautolu kiate ai' ki he taumu'a ko ia';

(b) ke ne tohi fakamo'oni'i mo fakamo'oni hingoa 'i he mokisi taki taha, 'o fakahaa'i 'a e 'aho mo e taimi na'e 'oatu ai is ki ai' mo hono fakahu atu ki he Lesisita'; pea

(c) ke ne tohi fakamo'oni'i mo fakamo'oni hingoa 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita 'o pehe kuo lesisita ha mokisi ki he vaka'.

(5) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke lesisita ha mokisi 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata ' ata.

Lekooti 'o e Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua 'i Tahi

32. Kuo pau ki he Failesisita', 'i ha kole 'e ha taha 'oku 'a'ana 'a 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ke ne lekooti 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua tahi' ko is 'i he Lesisita'-

(a) 'a e 'eke ko ia ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka, Taha No Vaka 'Ata'ata, pule pe taha 'oku ne fakalele 'a e vaka 'oku fai ki ai 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi 'o e vaka;

(b) 'a e 'aho na'e hoko ai 'a e me'a 'oku tupunga ai 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ki he vaka'; mo e

(c) hingoa mo e tu'asila 'o e taha 'oku 'a'ana 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua'ke tufa ki ai ha fanongonongo pe ngaahi tohi'.

(2) Ko ha lesisita 'o ha 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ne foaki ki he taha 'oku 'a'ana 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua'ha totonu 'a ia na'e 'ikai totonu ke ne mei ma'u kapau na'e 'ikai ke lekooti.

(3) Fakatatau ki he 'Atikolo 8 'o e Konivesio Fakavaha'apule'anga ki he Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua mo e Ngaahi Mokisi 'i Tahi 1993, kuo pau ke tamate'i ha 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi hili ha vaha'a taimi ko e ta'u 'e taha.

(4) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai fakamalohi'i ha 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ki ha vaka 'oku ma'u 'e ha taha na'a ne fakatau mai is 'aki ha totongi ta'e to ne 'ilo ki he 'eke malu'i mo'ua' tukukehe kapau na'e lesisita 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua ko ia' 'i he Lesisita 'i he taulanga 'oku lekooti ai 'a e vaka', ka kuo pau ke fakamalohi'i 'a e mo'ua ko ia'ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona mo e taha venitoa na'a ne fakatupu 'a e mo'ua 'oku hoko ai 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ko ia', neongo hono lesisita'.

Fakahokohoko 'o e Ngaahi 'Eke Mo'ua Folau Tahi mo e Ngaahi Mokisi

33. (1) Kapau 'oku lahi ange 'i he taha ha ngaahi mokisi' 'i he taha kuo lesisita' 'o fekau'aki mo ha vaka pe 'inasi tatau, kuo pau ki he ngaahi mokisi, neongo ai pe ha 'ilopau, faka'uhinga'i pe fakahu'uhu'u ki ai, ke fakahokohoko 'o e mahu'inga kimu'a ha taha 'i ha taha, 'o fakatatau ki he 'aho mo e taimi 'a is 'oku lesisita ai 'a e mokisi taki taha 'i he Lesisita'.

(2) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke uesia ha mokisi kuo lesisita 'e ha fai 'o ha mo'ua hulu pe mo'ua ta'e lava totongi 'e he mokasoa' hili 'a e 'aho hono lesisita 'o e mokisi', neongo ai pe pe na'e ma'u 'e he mokasoa mo'ua hulu' pe mo'ua ta'e lava totongi' 'a e ma'e (possession) pe mafai ke ne tuku atu 'a e vaka' 'i he kamata'anga 'o 'ene mo'ua hulu ko ia'.

(3) Fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (5) kuo pau ke mu'omu'a ha mokisi pehe 'i ha to e fa'ahinga totonu, 'eke, pe kaunga 'a e kau kuletitoa kehe 'o e mo'ua hulu' pe ha talasiti pe ha taha kuo foaki (assignee) ki ai ma'a kinautolu 'o fekau'aki mo e vaka ko ia'.

(4) Ko e ngaahi 'eke taki taha kotoa pe 'i lalo' ni ki he taha 'oku Vona, No Vaka 'Ata'ata, pule pe taha fakalele 'o e vaka'kuo pau ke malu'i 'aki is ha Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua 'i Tahi Fakavaha'apule'anga 'i he vaka':

(a) ngaahi 'eke vahenga mo e ngaahi pa'anga kehe 'oku totonu ke totongi ki he 'eikivaka, kau 'ofisa, mo ha kau kauvaka kehe 'o e vaka'koe'uhi ko 'enau naueue 'i he vaka', kau ai 'a e ngaahi fakamole 'o hono fakafoki ki honau fonua' mo e ngaahi pa'anga tanaki ki he malu'i fakasosiale 'oku totonu ke totongi ma'a kinautolu;

(b) ngaahi 'eke fekau'aki mo e mole 'o ha mo'ui pe hoko ha lavea taautaha, 'o tatau ai pe 'i he fonua pe 'i he vai, 'oku fekau'aki hangatonu mo e fakalele 'o e vaka';

(c) ngaahi 'eke ki he totongi fakapale ki hano fakahaofi (salvage) 'o e vaka';

(d) ngaahi 'eke totongi pe pailate ki ha taulanga, kanali mo ha ngaahi 'alu'anga vaka kehe;

(e) ngaahi 'eke 'oku makatu'unga 'i ha maumau sivile (tort) kuo hoko mei ha mole pe maumau fakaesino na'e fakatupu 'e he ngaue 'a e vaka' kehe mei he mole 'o e pe maumau ki he uta', ngaahi koniteina mo e ngaahi koloa fakafo'ituitui 'a e kau passee 'oku uta 'i he vaka'.

(5) Kuo pau ke mu'omu'a 'a e Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua 'i Tahi Fakavaha'apule'anga 'oku ha 'i he kupu si'i (4) 'i he fakahokohoko 'o e ngaahi mokisi Lesisita'.

(6) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai mu'omu'a ange ha 'eke kehe 'i he Ngaahi 'Eke Malu'i Mo'ua 'i Tahi Fakavaha'apule'anga pe ha ngaahi mokisi kuo lesisita, tukukehe 'o ka fakatau atu ha vaka tukia pe ngoto 'oku fakafaingata'a ki he hao 'a e faifolau 'a ia 'oku fakahake 'e ha ma'u mafia faka-Pule'anga, kuo pau ke tomu'a totongi 'a e fakamole 'o hono fakahake mei he pa'anga 'e ma'u mei he fakatau atu ko is kimu'a 'i he ngaahi 'eke malu'i mo'ua folau tahi kotoa pe kuo fai ki he vaka ko ia.

Tukuange 'o e Mokisi

34. (1) Kuo pau ki he Failesisita', hili hano Ioatu kiate is 'o ha tukuange 'o e mokisi' 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka ke ne fakahu 'i he Lesisita' kuo tukuange 'a e mokisi ko ia'.

(2) 'I hano fakahu ia, 'oku ma'u 'a e koloa (kapau 'oku 'i ai) 'a is na'e paasi ki he mokasi, 'o fakatatau ki ha ngaahi ngaue mo ha ngaahi 'atakai kehe, 'e he tokotaha na'a ne mei ma'u ia' kapau na'e 'ikai ke fai 'a e mokisi ko ia'.

Ta'e Fai ki he Mokisi

35. (1) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke lau 'a e mokasi ko e taha 'o'ona 'o e vaka' koe'uhi, pea kuo pau 'e 'ikai lau kuo ngata 'a e ma'u (ownership) 'o e vaka' 'e he mokosoa.

(2) Fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e ongo kupu si'i (3) mo e (4), ko ha mokasi pehe, kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha'ane totonu, koe'uhi ko e mokisi', ke ne fakatau atu pe tuku atu 'i ha to e founga kehe 'a e vaka kuo mokisi' pe 'inasi'.

(3) 'I ha ta'e fai ki he mokisi', 'oku 'i ai 'a e totonu 'a e mokasi kuo Lesisita' ke ne ma'u mai 'a e totongi 'oku totonu ke totongi 'i he mokisi'. 'I ha fai ha kole, 'a is kuo pau ke fanongonongo ki he mokasoa', pea ki ha kau mokasi kimui, 'e ngofua ke fai 'e ha Fakamaau'anga ha tu'utu'uni, 'o fekau ke fakatau talamahu'inga pe fakatau tuki ki he kakai'pe ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni kehe 'oku pehe 'e he fakamaau'anga 'oku taau' 'a e vaka kuo mokisi', pe ha 'inasi 'i ai, pea ke ngaue'aki 'a e ngaahi pa'anga 'e ma'u ke feao'-

(a) 'a e ngaahi fakamole ki hono fakahoko 'o e fakatau';

(b) ha ngaahi 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi 'oku kei to e ki he vaka';

(c) 'a e pa'anga 'oku kei to e ke totongi ki he mokasi 'i he mokisi';

(d) 'a e pa'anga 'oku kei to e ke totongi' ki he kau mokasi kimui;

(e) 'a e toenga'ki he mokasoa'.

(4) 'I hano ma'u ha kole, 'e ngofua ke fakapapau'i 'e he Fakamaau'anga' ha 'aho ki ha hopo, 'a ia kuo pau ke pulusi tu'o tolu hano fanongonongo 'i ha pepa ongoongo 'oku tufaki lahi 'i Tonga, pea kuo pau ke fokotu'u 'e he Fakamaau'anga' ha taha 'ofisa 'o e Fakamaau'anga', ke ne fakahoko 'a e fakatau atu ko ia' pea ke ne vahevahe 'a e ngaahi pa'anga ]e ma'u ai' 'o fakatatau ki he tu'utu'uni'. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ala mo'ua ha 'ofisa kuo fokotu'u pehe ki ha ngaue pe ha ta'efakahoko ha ngaue 'o hono fai 'o e fakatau ko ia'pe ko e vahevahe 'o e ngaahi pa'anga na'e ma'u mei ai' kapau na'a ne fakahoko ia 'i he loto ma'a.

(5) Fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (4), 'e ngofua ke fai 'e he Fakamaau'anga ha tu'utu'uni 'o fakaha ai 'oku ma'u 'a e vaka' 'e he taha kuo ne fakatau', 'a ia 'e ngofua ke lesisita 'a e tu'utu'uni ko ia' 'i he Lesisita', pea kuo pau ke lau 'oku tatau ia mo ha Tohi Fakatau.

(6) Kapau kuo lesisita ha ni'ihi 'oku tokolahi ange 'i he tokotaha' ko ha mokasi 'o ha vaka tatau, kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke kole 'e ha mokasi kimui ke kole ke fakatau 'a e vaka ta'e loto ki ai 'a e kau mokasi ko ia, tukukehe 'i ha tu'utu'uni 'a e Fakamaau'anga.

Hiki 'o e Mokisi

36. (1) 'E ngofua ke hiki ha mokisi kuo lesisita 'o ha vaka ki ha taha 'aki hano lesisita 'o ha tohi 'o e hiki 'o e mokisi' 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(2) 'I hano 'oatu ki he Failesisita' ha tohi 'o e hiki 'o ha mokisi kuo lesisita pea mo ha mokisi 'oku kau ki ai 'a e tohi 'o e hiki', kuo pau ki he Failesisita -

(a) ke ne fakahu 'a e Hiki 'o e Mokisi' 'i he Lesisita'; mo

(b) fakamo'oni hingoa ki he Mokisi' mo e Hiki 'o e Mokisi' mo tohi'i hono 'aho' mo hono taimi'.

'Ave 'o e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'i ha mole pe ngata ko e vaka'

37. (1) 'Oka 'i ai ha vaka Tonga kuo lesisita 'e mole mo'oni pe fakahu'uhu'u kuo mole, puke 'e ha fili, vela pe movete pe ngata ko ha vaka Tonga 'i ha fa'ahinga 'uhinga pe, kuo pau ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka' 'i he vave taha' mei he'ene 'ilo'i pe 'a e me'a kuo hoko' ke ne fakaha ia ki he Failesisita'.

(2) Kuo pau ke fakahu ia 'e he Failesisita' 'i he Lesisita' pea kuo pau ke lau kuo tamate'i hono lesisita', tukukehe ka 'oku 'i ai ha ngaahi mokisi lesisita 'i ai kuo te'eki ke totongi.

(3) Tukukehe kapau 'oku puli, mole pe ta'e'aonga 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita 'o e vaka', kuo pau ki he 'eikivaka 'o e vaka', 'i he vave taha' kapau 'oku hoko ha me'a 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) 'i ha taulanga 'i Tonga, pe 'i loto 'i he 'aho 'e 7 hili 'ene tu'uta 'i ha taulanga kehe kapau 'oku hoko 'i ha feitu'u kehe, ke ne 'oatu 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni' ki he Failesisita'.

(4) Kuo pau ke ngaue'aki tatau pe (mutatis mutandis) 'a e ngaahi tu'utu'uni 'o e kupu ni ki ha vaka 'oku no atu ki ha Taha Fe'unga.

(5) Ko ha taha 'oku 'o'ona pe ha 'eikivaka 'oku ne ta'e fai ki he kupu ni, 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $10,000.

Fa'ao 'o e vaka

38. (1) Kapau kuo taau ke fa'ao ha vaka 'o fakatatau ki he Lao ni, 'e ngofua ke puke mo tauhi fakamalohi 'a e vaka ko ia' 'e he Sekelitali'pea ke ne 'oatu ha kole ki he Fakamaau'anga Lahi'ki ha tu'utu'uni, ke fa'ao 'a e vaka', hono naunau ngaue' mo hono ngaahi koloa' (stores) ki he Pule'anga.

(2) Kapau 'oku fai ha tu'utu'uni 'i he kupu si'i (1) kuo pau ke ha ai ha fakaha ke ma'u 'e he Sekelitali' 'a e totonu ke ne hiki 'a e vaka'.

(3) 'I hano ma'u 'o e tu'utu'uni ko ia', 'e ngofua ke fakahoko 'e he Sekelitali' hono fakatau atu 'o e vaka' 'aki ha talamahu'inga pe fakatau tuki ki he kakai', pe 'i ha founga kehe 'e fekau 'e he Fakamaau'anga'.

(4) 'I ha kakato 'a e fakatau', kuo pau ke 'i ai ha totonu 'a e Sekelitali' ke ne hiki 'a e vaka' pea ke ne foaki ha Tohi Fakatau ki he taha to ne fakatau mai ia' 'o hange pe ko ia 'a e taha kuo lesisita ke 'o'ona 'a e vaka'.

(5) Kuo pau 'e lau ha fakatau atu pehe ko ha fakatau atu fakamalohi pea ko e ngaahi mokisi kotoa pe kuo lesisita, pe ha ngaahi mo'ua kehe, tukukehe 'a ia kuo tali 'e he taha fakatau mai' 'i he loto ki ai 'a e ni'ihi 'oku 'anautolu', pea ko e ngaahi 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi mo ha ngaahi mo'ua kehe kotoa pe 'o tatau ai pe pe ko e ha hono natula', kuo pau ke ngata 'enau piki ki he vaka'.

Fakatau atu 'o e Vaka''i ha Tu'utu'uni Fakamaau'anga

39. (1) Kapau kuo taau ke puke mo tauhi ha vaka 'e ngofua ke fai 'e he fa'ahi mamahi' ha kole ki he Fakamaau'anga' ke puke, tauhi pe fakatau atu 'a e vaka' ke totongi kotoa pe fakakonga 'aki ha ngaahi 'eke ki he vaka', taha 'oku Vona', taha no' pe 'eikivaka'.

(2) Kapau 'e fai 'e he Fakamaau'anga' ha tu'utu'uni ke fakatau atu 'a e vaka', 'e ngofua ke ne to e fai foki ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni kehe fekau'aki mo hono fakatau atu 'o e vaka', founga ke muimui ki ai' mo hono vahevahe 'o e ngaahi pa'anga 'e ma'u' 'a ia to ne pehe 'oku taau' 'i he ngaahi 'atakai 'o e me'a ko ia'.

(3) Kuo pau ke lau 'e he Failesisita 'a e tu'utu'uni ko ia' 'o hange pe ko ha Tohi Fakatau' pea kuo pau ke ne fakahu ia mo e hingoa 'o e taha fakatau mai' ko e taha ia 'oku 'o'ona 'a ia kuo lesisita'.

Liliu 'o e Ma'u 'o ha Vaka 'e he lao'

40. (1) Kapau 'oku liliu 'a e ma'u (ownership) 'o ha vaka Tonga pe ha 'inasi 'i ai ki ha taha 'i ha mate pe mo'ua hulu 'a e taha 'oku 'o'ona'kuo lesisita, pe 'i ha fa'ahinga founga fakalao pe, kehe mei hano hiki 'i he Lao ni -

(a) kuo pau ke fakamo'oni'i 'e he taha ko ia' 'a hono liliu 'aki 'ene fai mo fakamo'oni hingoa ki he Fakaha 'o e Liliu, 'i he Foomu 'oku tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka;

(b) kapau 'oku tupu 'a e liliu' mei ha mo'ua hulu, kuo pau ke loam fakataha 'a e Fakaha 'o e Liliu mo ha fakamo'oni totonu 'o e taukave ko ia';

(c) kapau 'oku tupu 'a e liliu' mei ha mate, kuo pau ke 'oatu fakataha 'a e Fakaha 'o e Liliu' mo e -

(i) tohi pule'i tohi tuku pe ngaahi tohi pule'i koloa 'o e pekia'; pe

(ii) kapau ko ha kaunga ma'u, fakamo'oni 'o e kei mo'ui pe ha tatau 'osi fakamo'oni'i 'o ia'.

(2) 'I hano ma'u 'o e Fakaha 'o e liliu', kuo pau ke fakahu 'e he Failesisita' 'i he Lesisita' 'a e hingoa 'o e ni'ihi 'oku totonu ke 'anautolu 'a e vaka'.

Liliu 'o e Mokisi 'e he lao'

41. (1) Kapau 'oku liliu ha kaunga 'i ha mokasi 'i he vaka' ki ha taha 'i ha fa'ahinga founga fakalao, kehe mei ha hiki 'i he Lao ni, kuo pau ke fakamo'oni'i 'a e Liliu 'o e Mokisi' 'aki ha fakamatala fuakava kuo fuakava'i 'e he taha 'oku liliu ki ai 'a e kaunga ko ia'.

(2) Ko ha fakamatala fuakava 'oku lau ki ai 'i he kupu si'i (1) kuo pau ke ha ai ha fakamatala 'o e founga 'o e, mo e taha kuo liliu ki ai, 'a e kaunga' kuo liliu pea kuo pau ke 'oatu fakataha ia mo ha ngaahi tohi 'a ia 'e fiema'u 'e he Failesisita'.

(3) Kuo pau ki he Failesisita', hili hono ma'u 'o e fakamatala fuakava' mo e ngaahi tohi 'oku 'oatu fakataha mo ia' 'i 'olunga', ke ne fakahu 'i he Lesisita' 'a e hingoa 'o e toko taha 'oku totonu ke hoko ko e mokasi 'o e vaka'.

Totongi lesisita

42. (1) Ko e totongi ki hono lesisita 'o e ngaahi vaka 'oku fiema'u ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(1), ko e totongi fakata'u mo e ngaahi totongi ki he ngaahi tohi 'oku fiema'u ke fakahu atu ki he Failesisita' kuo pau ko ia 'oku tu'utu'uni ki ai 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka' pea kuo pau ke totongi ia ki he Failesisita' kimu'a pea toki lesisita'.

(2) Ko e ngaahi totongi ki hono lesisita 'o ha ngaahi vaka Tonga 'a ia 'oku fakangofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(3) mo e Ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(2) mo e ngaahi tohi 'oku fiema'u ke fakahu atu ki he Failesisita' kuo pau ke tu'utu'uni 'e he Minisita 'aki hano pulusi 'i he Kasete'.

(3) Ko e ngaahi totongi lesisita te'eki totongi kotoa pe kuo pau ke hoko ia ko ha 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ki he vaka ko ia 'oku te'eki ai ke totongi' pea kuo pau ke mu'omu'a 'a e mo'ua pehe 'i he ngaahi mo'ua kehe kotoa pe tukukehe 'a e ngaahi mo'ua 'i he kupu 33(4) (a) mo e (c).

Totongi Toni fakata'u

43. (1) Kuo pau 'e ngaue'aki pe 'a e kupu ni ki he ngaahi vaka Tonga 'oku fakangofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(3) mo e Ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku ngofua ke lesisita 'i he kupu 8(2).

(2) Kuo pau ke 'i ai ha totongi toni fakata'u ki he toni fakakatoa 'e taha kotoa pe ki he ngaahi vaka mo e Ngaahi Vaka No 'Ata'ata kotoa pe 'i he Lesisita' 'o hange ko ia 'e tu'utu'uni 'e he Minisita 'aki hono pulusi 'i he Kasete'.

(3) Tukukehe ka 'i ai ha tu'utu'uni kehe 'i he Lao' ni, kuo pau ke totongi 'a e ngaahi totongi kotoa pe 'oku totonu ke totongi 'i he kupu ni 'i he 'aho 1 'o Sanuali 'o e ta'u 'oku fiema'u ki ai 'a e totongi ko ia'. Kapau 'oku 'ikai ke ma'u mai 'a e totongi 'o 'ikai to e tomui ange 'i he 'aho 31 'o Ma'asi 'o e ta'u ko ia', kuo pau ke kaniseli 'e he Failesisita' 'a e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ko e Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'o e vaka 'a ia kuo te'eki ke totongi hono totongi.

(4) 'I hono 'uluaki fakahu 'o ha vaka 'i he Lesisita', kuo pau ke fika'i 'a e totongi 'oku totonu ke totongi 'i he kupu si'i (3) 'i ha tu'unga fakatatau mei he 'aho 'o e lesisita' ki he toenga 'o e ta'u fakatohimahina ko ia'.

(5) Kuo pau ke totongi 'a e ngaahi totongi toni fakata'u kotoa pe ki he Failesisita'.

(6) Kuo pau ke hoko 'a e ngaahi totongi toni kotoa pe 'oku te'eki totongi ko ha 'eke malu'i mo'ua 'i tahi ki he vaka 'a ia 'oku te'eki ke totongi 'a hono ngaahi pa'anga ko ia'pea kuo pau ke mu'omu'a 'a e 'eke malu'i mo'ua ko ia' 'i he ngaahi me'a kehe kotoa pe tukukehe 'akinautolu 'oku fekau'aki mo e ngaahi vahenga' mo e fakahaofi (salvage).

(7)	(a) Ko ha vaka kuo to'o mei he ngaue'pea kuo toho ki ha ta'u 'e taha pe lahi ange, fakatatau ki ha tu'unga kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he palakalafi (c), kuo pau ke 'ata ia mei he totongi 'o e totongi toni fakata'u' 'i he kupu ni lolotonga 'a e vaha'a taimi 'o e to'o ko ia'.

(b) 'I ha hoko atu 'a e ngaue 'a e vaka ko ia kuo pau ke fika'i 'a e toenga totongi toni 'oku totonu ke totongi 'e he vaka ko ia' 'i ha tu'unga fakatatau mei he 'aho 'o e hoko atu' ki he toenga 'o e ta'u fakatohimahina ko ia'.

(c) 'E ngofua ke tu'utu'uni 'e he Minisita 'aki ha fanongonongo 'i he Kasete' 'a e ngaahi tu'unga 'a ia 'e lava ke faka'ata ai ha vaka 'i he palakalafi (a).

Fuka ki he ngaahi vaka Tonga

44. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni ke ne fakaha 'a e fa'ahinga Fuka Tonga ki he ngaahi vaka kotoa pe kuo lesisita 'i he Lao ni pea ki he ngaahi vaka kotoa pe 'oku 'ikai ke lesisita pehe ka 'oku ma'u 'e he Pule'anga'; pea 'e ngofua ke fakaha 'a e ngaahi fuka kehekehe ki he ngaahi kalasi vaka kehekehe.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he Sekelitali' pe ha 'ofisa kuo fakamafai'i 'e he Minisita ke ne heka ki ha vaka 'oku fusi ai ha fuka 'oku fepaki mo e Lao ni mo to'o 'a e fuka ko ia 'a ia kuo pau ke fa'ao ma'ae Pule'anga' hill hano fakahalaia'i 'i he kupu si'i (3).

(3) 'Oku fai ha hia 'e he 'eikivaka pe taha 'oku 'o'ona ha vaka 'a ia 'oku fusi ai ha fuka 'oku fepaki mo e Lao ni pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $5,000 pea kuo pau 'e ala fa'ao 'a e vaka'ko ia.

Ngaue'aki ta'e fakalao ha faka'ilonga Tonga

45. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha taha 'i ha vaka 'a ia 'oku 'ikai ko ha vaka Tonga to ne ngaue'aki 'a e fuka Tonga 'i he'ene loto ke 'ai ia ke ha ko ha vaka Tonga.

Fufuu'i 'o e Faka'ilonga Tonga

46. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ha 'eikivaka pe ha taha 'oku 'o'ona ha vaka Tonga to ne fai 'i he 'ilo pau ha me'a, pe to ne fakangofua ke fai ha me'a, pe uta pe fakangofua ke uta ha ngaahi fa'ahinga pepa pe ngaahi tohi, 'i he'ene loto ke fufuu'i 'a e faka'ilonga Tonga 'o e vaka' mei ha taha 'oku 'i ai ha'ane totonu 'i ha lao'lolotonga ke ne faka'eke'eke ki ai, pe 'i he'ene loto ke kakaa'i ha taha 'oku 'i ai ha'ane totonu 'o hange ko ia kuo lau ki ai'.

Ke fusi 'e he ngaahi vaka Tonga ha fuka Tonga 'i ha ngaahi me'a pau

47. Kuo pau ke fusi 'e ha vaka Tonga 'a e Fuka Tonga' -

(a) 'i ha faka'ilonga atu ki ai ha taha 'o e ngaahi vaka 'o 'Ene 'Afio';

(b) 'i ha'ane hu ki ha pe mavahe mei he taulanga muli;

(c) kapau 'oku mita 'e 15 pe lahi ange hono loloa', 'i ha'ane hu pe mavahe mei ha taulanga Tonga.

Ke fakaha 'a e faka'ilonga fakafonua 'o e vaka' kimu'a hono faka'ata

48. (1) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke foaki ha faka'ata ke mavahe ki ha vaka kae'oua ke fakaha 'e he 'eikivaka' 'a e hingoa 'o e fonua 'oku lesisita ai' mo 'oatu ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita.

(2) Ko ha vaka 'oku feinga ke mavahe ta'e 'i ai ha faka'ata pehe 'e ngofua ke puke ia kae'oua kuo foaki ha faka'ata.

Ngaahi mo'ua 'o e ngaahi vaka Tonga 'oku 'ikai tall ko e ngaahi vaka Tonga

49. Kapau 'oku fakaha 'e he Minisita 'oku 'ikai tali ko ha vaka Tonga ha vaka Tonga kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke ma'u 'e he vaka ko ia' ha totonu ki ha ngaahi faingamalie, ngaahi monu'ia, ngaahi lelei pe ha malu'i 'a ia 'oku ma'u angamaheni 'e he ngaahi vaka Tonga'pe ke ne ngaue'aki 'a e Fuka Tonga ki he ngaahi vaka Tonga' pe ke ne ngaue'aki 'a e faka'ilonga fakafonua Tonga', ka 'i he ngaahi me'a fekau'aki mo hono totongi 'o e ngaahi totongi, 'e mo'ua tautea pa'anga mo e fa'ao mo e tautea ki ha ngaahi hia kuo fai 'i he vaka ko ia, pe 'e ha ni'ihi kauvaka 'o ia, kuo pau 'e fakahoko ki he vaka ko ia' 'a e founga tatau 'i he me'a kotoa pe 'o hange pe ko ha vaka Tonga ia kuo tali.

Mo'ua 'o e ni'ihi 'oku 'onautolu, kau no vaka 'ata'ata mo e kau fakalele vaka

50. Kuo pau 'e mo'ua 'a kinautolu 'oku 'onautolu, Kau No Vaka 'Ata'ata mo e fakalele vaka ki ha tautea pa'anga kuo hilifaki 'e he Lao ni pe ha lao kehe pea ko ha ngaahi fakatonutonu ki hono fakamalohi'i 'o ha ngaahi tautea pehe 'e ngofua ke fakahoko ia ki he taha ko ia 'o kau pe ta'e to e kau ki ai ha taha kehe.

Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita

51. (1) 'I ha kole ki he Failesisita pea 'i hano totongi 'o e totongi kuo tu'utu'uni', 'e ngofua ki ha taha, 'i ha fa'ahinga taimi pe lolotonga 'a e ngaahi taimi ngaue, ke ne sivi ha Lesisita pea 'e ngofua ke ne ma'u mai ha tatau kuo fakamo'oni'i 'o ha me'a kuo fakahu ki he Lesisita'.

(2) Kuo pau ke tali 'a e ngaahi tohi ko 'eni' ko ha fakamo'oni 'i ha Fakamaau'anga 'i he founga kuo tu'utu'uni 'e he Lao ni, 'a ia:

(a) ko ha Lesisita 'i hano 'oatu ia mei he tauhi 'e he Failesisita' pe ha taha kehe 'oku ne tauhi fakalao ia;

(b) ko ha Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita pe ko e Tohi Fakamo'oni Lesisita 'o e No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'i he Lao ni 'a ia 'oku pehe kuo fakamo'oni hingoa ki ai 'a e Failesisita'pe ha 'ofisa kehe kuo fakamafai'i 'e he Minisita.

(c) ko ha tohi fakamo'oni'i 'o ha tohi fakamo'oni 'o e lesisita 'a ia 'oku pehe kuo fakamo'oni hingoa ki ai 'a e Failesisita pe ha 'ofisa kehe kuo fakamafai'i 'e he Minisita;

(d) ko e fakaha kotoa pe kuo fai 'o fakatatau ki he Lao ni fekau'aki mo ha vaka Tonga.

(3) Kuo pau ke tali ha tatau kuo fakamo'oni'i 'o ha me'a kuo fakahu ki ha Lesisita ko e fakamo'oni 'i ha Fakamaau'anga pea ke 'aonga tatau mo e me'a kuo fakahu ko ia' 'i he lesisita 'a ia ko hono tatau' ia.

Ngaahi Fakaha

52. (1) Ko ha fakaha 'oku fiema'u ke fakahoko 'i he Lao ni kuo pau ke fakahoko ia 'i he 'ao 'o e ni'ihi ko 'eni'-

(a) ko e Sekelitali, Failesisita pe ha Tokoni Failesisita;

(b) ha konisela pe fakafofonga konisela 'o Tonga;

(c) ha 'ofisa fakatipilometika 'o Tonga; pe

(d) ha loea fai hopo, fakahinohino lao, fakafofonga lao 'a e kakai, fakamaau polisi, komisiona ki he fuakava pe ha 'ofisa kehe, kuo fakamafai'i 'e he ngaahi lao' 'o e feitu'u 'oku fakahoko ai 'a e fakaha ko ia'.

(2) Kapau 'oku hiki ha vaka kuo lesisita 'i he kupu 8(1) 'o e Lao ni, kuo pau 'e 'ikai ma'u 'e he taha kuo hiki ki ai' 'a e totonu ke lesisita ko e taha ia 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka' kae'oua ke fai ha fakaha 'i he Foomu kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni (Lesisita) ki he Folau Vaka.

(3) Ko ha tohi 'oku pehe kuo 'ai ki ai 'a e sila pe ko e fakamo'oni hingoa 'o ha taha kuo fakamafai'i 'i he Lao ni ke ne fai ha fakaha kuo pau ke tali ia ko ha fakamo'oni ta'e to e fakamo'oni'i 'a e sila pe fakamo'oni hingoa.

Ngaahi Fakaha mo e Ngaahi Fakamatala Loi

53. Ko ha taha 'i he'ene 'ilo pau 'oku ne - 

(a) fai ha fakaha, fakamatala pe fakafofonga loi;

(b) fai ha fakamo'oni loi 'i he fuakava; pe

(c) liliu, 'oatu pe ngaue'aki ha fakaha pe fakamatala loi,

'o fekau'aki mo ha kole, lipooti, lekooti pe ha fakatonutonu 'i he Lao ni, 'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'i ha'ane halaia ki he ngaue popula 'e 'ikai laka 'i he ta'u 'e 2, pe ko e tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai laka hake 'i he $20,000.

Ngaahi Hia

54. Ka 'i ai ha taha 'oku Vona, 'eikivaka pe taha no vaka 'o ha vaka Tonga to ne fai ha hia 'i he Lao ni 'e ngofua ki ha Fakamaau'anga, 'o tanaki atu ki ha fa'ahinga tautea kehe, ke ne tu'utu'uni ki he Failesisita' ke to'o 'a e vaka' mei he Lesisita'.

Kau kauvaka Tonga

55. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i ha fanongonongo kuo pulusi 'i he Kasete', ke ne tu'utu'uni 'a e tokolahi 'o e kau kauvaka Tonga 'a ia kuo pau ke fakangaue'i, kapau 'oku fakapotopoto', 'i he ngaahi vaka Tonga'.

(2) Ko e taha no vaka 'o ha vaka 'a ia ko e No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'oku lesisita 'i he Lesisita No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'e 'ikai, ta'e ha 'uhinga fakapotopoto, to ne fakangaue'i 'a e tokolahi 'o e kau Tonga kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he kupu si'i (1) 'i loto 'i he mahina 'e 12 mei hono lesisita 'o e no, kuo pau ke ne totongi liunga ua 'a e ngaahi totongi lesisita fakata'u 'o e vaka ko ia'.

(3) Ko e taha 'oku 'o'ona ha vaka kuo lesisita 'i he Lesisita 'a ia 'e 'ikai, ta'e ha 'uhinga fakapotopoto, to ne fakangaue'i 'a e tokolahi 'o e kau Tonga 'a ia kuo tu'utu'uni 'i he kupu si'i (1) 'i loto 'i he mahina 'e 12 hili hono lesisita', kuo pau ke ne totongi liunga ua 'a e Totongi Toni Fakata'u.

(4) Ko kinautolu 'oku 'onautolu mo e kau no 'o e ngaahi vaka 'oku kau ki ai 'a e ongo kupu si'i (2) mo e (3) 'a ia kuo 'ikai ke nau fai pau ki he kupu ni hili ha mahina 'e 36 mei hono 'uluaki lesisita' kuo pau 'e fiema'u ke lesisita honau ngaahi vaka' pe Ngaahi No Vaka 'Ata'ata 'i ha lesisita 'i ha ma'u mafai kehe.

(5) Ko ha vaka 'a ia ko e taha 'oku 'o'ona pe ko hono 'eikivaka 'oku 'ikai ke ne fai pau ki he kupu si'i (4) kuo pau ke to'o ia mei he Lesisita'.

Tu'utu'uni Fakahaofi

56. Ko ha me'a kuo fakahu ki he Lesisita kimu'a 'i he kamata ngaue'aki 'o e Lao (Fakatonutonu) ki he Folau Vaka' 2001 ko ha ngaahi tohi pe ha tohi fakamo'oni 'oku 'i he Failesisita, taha 'oku Vona', taha no, mokasi, 'eikivaka pe ha taha kehe 'oku totonu ke ne ma'u 'a e tohi pe tohi fakamo'oni ko ia' kuo pau ke kei 'conga is 'o hange pe na'e fai is hili 'a e kamata ngaue'aki 'a e Lao ni kuo lau ki ai."

4. 'Oku tamate'i 'a e kupu 97 'o e Tefito'i Lao pea fetongi 'aki 'eni:

"Ngaahi fakamole ki he pekia

97. (1) 'I ha pekia 'a ha taha kauvaka lolotonga 'ene ngaue 'i ha vaka Tonga, 'o tatau ai pe 'i he vaka' pe 'i 'uta, kuo pau ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka' pe taha no vaka' 'i loto 'i he mahina 'e tolu mei he pekia' ke ne totongi faka'angataha ha pa'anga tatau mo hono tefito'i vahenga fakata'u' ki hono kainga ofi pe fakafofonga taautaha'.

(2) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ala totongi 'e he taha 'oku 'o'ona 'a e vaka'pe taha no 'a e pa'anga 'i he kupu si'i (1) kapau ko e taha kauvaka' ko ha memipa 'o e Sino'i Pa'anga Malolo 'a e Pule'anga'.

(3) 'I ha pekia 'a ha taha kauvaka lolotonga 'ene ngaue 'i ha vaka Tonga 'i tu'a mei he ngaahi potu tahi 'o Tonga' 'o tatau ai pe 'i he vaka' pe 'i 'uta, kuo pau ki he taha 'oku 'o'ona pe taha no vaka ke ne fakafoki 'a e sino 'o e pekia ki Tonga 'i he founga vave taha'.

(4) 'I hono fakafoki 'o e sino 'o e pekia' ki Tonga', kuo pau ke totongi 'e he taha 'oku 'o'ona pe taha no 'o e vaka ko ia na'e ngaue ai 'a e kauvaka' faka'angataha ha pa'anga totongi huhu'i ki ha ngaahi fakamole fakapotopoto 'o e me'a faka'eiki' 'a ia na'e fuesia 'e hono kainga ofi pe fakafofonga taautaha'.

(5) Neongo 'a e kupu si'i (1), kuo pau ki he taha 'o'ona pe taha no 'o e vaka 'a ia na'e ngaue ai 'a e kauvaka' 'i he taimi 'o 'ene pekia' ke ne totongi faka'angataha ha pa'anga 'oku tatau mo e tefito'i vahenga 'o e pekia' 'o a'u ki he 'osi 'a e mahina na'e pekia ai' ki hono kainga ofi pe fakafofonga taautaha'."

5. 'Oku fakatonutonu 'a e kupu 131(1) 'o e Tefito'i Lao' 'aki hono tamate'i 'a e fika "123" pea fetongi'aki ia 'a e "145".

6. 'Oku tamate'i 'a e kupu 137 'o e Tefito'i Lao pea fetongi 'aki 'eni:

"'Ngaahi Liliu ki ha vaka

137. Ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni:

"ngaahi liliu" 'oku 'uhinga ki ha liliu ki he natula lahi 'o e vaka ki he 'uluaki sino, fa'unga, misini lahi, misini tokoni, me'a ngaue, ngaahi me'a ngaue tokoni, ngaahi naunau ki tu'a mo e ngaahi naunau 'i loto 'o e vaka' kau ai 'a e ngaahi monomono mo e fakalelei.

"natula lahi" 'oku 'uhinga 'oku uesia 'e he liliu ko ia' 'a e ngaue'aki 'o e vaka', ko malu, malu ke folau', malu 'a e kau pasese 'i vaka' mo e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'oku ha 'i he Tohi Fakamo'oni 'o e Lesisita."

7. 'Oku tamate'i 'a e kupu 161 'o e Tefito'i Lao pea fetongi 'aki 'eni:

"Ngaahi me'a 'ilo 'i tahi'

161. (1) Neongo ha me'a 'i he Konga ni, ko ha me'a 'oku ma'u 'i he ngaahi potu tahi 'o Tonga' 'oku 'ikai ko ha vaka toka kuo pau 'e lau is ko e koloa 'a e Pule'anga'.

(2) Ka 'i ai ha taha to ne ma'u ha me'a pehe 'i he ngaahi potu tahi 'o Tonga' kuo pau ke ne 'ave leva is ki he 'ofisa faka-Pule'anga 'oku kau ki ai kuo fokotu'u 'i he Konga ni ke ne tauhi 'a is kuo pau ke ne fakaha 'i he vave taha' ki he Sekelitali'.

(3) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita 'i he'ene fakakaukau', ke ne totongi ki he taha kuo ne 'ilo ia' 'a e fakamole kuo ne fuesia 'i hono 'ave 'a e me'a ko ia'ki he 'ofisa faka-Pule'anga' pea 'e ngofua ke ne totongi tanaki atu ha pale, 'e pehe 'e he Minisita 'oku totonu mo fakapotopoto'.

(4) Kapau 'e lava 'e he taha 'oku 'o'ona mo'oni 'a e me'a kuo 'ilo 'i tahi' 'o fakamo'oni'i ko is 'oku 'a'ana' ki he fiemalie 'a e Minisita, kuo pau ke tukuange atu 'a e me'a ko ia' kiate is 'i hano totongi 'o ha ngaahi fakamole fakapotopoto kuo fuesia'.

(5) Kapau 'e 'ikai ke ngaue'aki 'e he taha 'oku 'o'ona' ha totonu ki ha me'a kuo 'ilo 'i tahi 'i loto 'i he mahina 'e 12 hili hono 'ilo 'o e me'a ko ia', 'e mole 'a e ngaahi totonu kotoa pe ki he me'a ko ia' pea 'e ma'u is 'e he Pule'anga'.

(6) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke maumau'i pe uesia 'e he ngaue 'o e Konga ko 'eni 'o e Lao' 'a e ngaahi totonu, ngaahi fatongia mo e ngaahi ngafa 'o ha ngaahi fakafofonga Pule'anga kehe 'oku ha 'i he Lao ni pe ha Lao kehe."

8. 'Oku fakatonutonu 'a e kupu 195(2) 'o e Tefito'i Lao' 'aki hono tamate'i 'a e fo'i lea "he" kimu'a he fo'i lea "fakamaau'anga" he laine 2 pea fetongi 'aki is 'a e "ha".

Na'e tali 'i he Fale Alea' 'i he 'aho 24 'o 'Okatopa, 2001.

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