Indian Ports Act, 1908

40. Conservator may in certain cases ascertain draught and charge expense to master

If any vessel liable to the payment of port-dues is in any such port without proper marks on the stem and stem posts thereof for denoting her draught, the conservator may cause the same to be ascertained by means of the operation of hooking, and the master of the vessel shall be liable to pay the expenses of the operation.