Time limits for proceedings against owner or ship

(1) This section applies to any proceedings to enforce any claim or lien against a ship or its owners, (i) in respect of damage or loss caused by the fault of that ship to another ship, its cargo or freight or any property on board it; or (ii) for damages for loss of life or personal injury caused by the fault of that ship to any person on board another ship. (2) The extent of the fault is immaterial for the purposes of this section. 59 (3) Subject to subsections (5) and (6) of this section, no proceedings to which this subsection applies shall be brought after the period of two years from the date when, (i) the damage or loss was caused; or (ii) the loss of life or injury was suffered. (4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6) of this section, no proceedings under any of sections 93 to 95 of this Act, to enforce any contribution in respect of any overpaid proportion of any damages for loss of life or personal injury shall be brought after the period of one year from the date of payment. (5) The Court may, in accordance with the rules of court, extend the period allowed for bringing proceedings to such extent and on such conditions as it thinks fit. (6) The Court, if satisfied that there has not been during any period allowed for bringing proceedings, any reasonable opportunity of arresting the defendant ship within, (i) the jurisdiction of the Court; or (ii) the territorial sea of the country to which the plaintiff’s ship belongs or in which the plaintiff resides or has his principal place of business, shall extend the period allowed for bringing proceedings to an extent sufficient to give a reasonable opportunity of so arresting the ship.