20.— (1) It is the duty of the owner and master of an Irish ship to which this Chapter applies—

(a) to ensure that it complies with the chemical tanker rules, and

(b) to maintain such ship in conformity with the chemical tanker rules to ensure that the ship in all respects remains fit to operate without danger to the ship or the persons on board.

(2) It is the duty of the owner and master of an Irish ship to which this Chapter applies—

(a) before the ship is put into service,

(b) before the international certificate of fitness (IBC) is issued in its respect for the first time, and

(c) before the ship continues in service after the expiration of its international certificate of fitness (IBC),

to have the ship surveyed by a surveyor of ships or such other person as the Minister may authorise for such purpose, in accordance with the chemical tanker rules.

(3) It is the duty of the owner and master of an Irish ship to which this Chapter applies to have the ship surveyed under section 19(2) or section 21 (2) (b), where required.

(4) It is the duty of the master and owner of a ship to which this Chapter applies to ensure that an international certificate of fitness (IBC) for the time being in force in respect of the ship is available on board for examination at all times.

(5) (a) Without prejudice to section 23 of the Act of 2000, whenever an accident occurs to an Irish ship to which this Chapter applies, or a defect to such ship is discovered, either of which affects the safety of the ship or the efficiency or completeness of its life-saving appliances or other equipment required by the chemical tanker rules the master or owner of the ship must, at the earliest opportunity, report the matter to the Chief Surveyor or any other surveyor of ships in the Marine Survey Office, Department of Transport.

(b) In case the ship is in a port of a state to which the Safety Convention applies, other than the State, the owner or master must also report, at the earliest opportunity, to the appropriate authorities of the government of that state.