278.—(1) A passenger steamer’s certificate shall not be in force for more than one year from the date of its issue, or any shorter time specified in the certificate, nor after notice is given by the Board of Trade to the owner, agent, or master of the steamer, that the Board have cancelled it.

(2) If a passenger steamer is absent from the United Kingdom at the time when her certificate expires, a fine shall not be incurred for want of a certificate until she first begins to ply with passengers after her next return to the United Kingdom.