(1)Notwithstanding anything in section seven hundred and forty-two of the [57 & 58 Vict. c. 60.] Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as " the principal Act"), the principal Act shall have effect as though in the provisions of Parts I. and VIII. thereof (which relate respectively to the registry of ships and to the limitation of the liability of the owners of ships), as amended or extended by any subsequent enactment, the expression " ship" included every description of lighter, barge, or like vessel used in navigation in Great Britain, however propelled:
Provided that a lighter, barge, or like vessel used exclusively in non-tidal waters, other than harbours, shall not, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be used in navigation.
(2)In the application or Part VIII. of the principal Act to any such lighter, barge, or like vessel as aforesaid, the expression " owner " shall include any hirer who has contracted to take over the sole charge and management thereof and is responsible for the navigation, manning and equipment thereof.
(3)Where the Board of Trade are satisfied that there are in force in any port, under any Act or order, regulations for the measurement or registration of lighters, barges, or like vessels, which provide for the measurement of their tonnage in substantial agreement with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1920, and for an adequate system of identification of the vessels and their owners, the Board may by order declare that vessels measured or registered in accordance with such regulations shall, for the purposes of this Act," be deemed to be measured or registered under Part I. of the principal Act.