Marine Insurance Act, 1963
51. Excuse for deviation or delay
(1) Deviation or delay
in prosecuting the voyage contemplated by the policy is excused-
(a) where authorized
by any special term in the policy; or
(b) where caused by circumstances beyond the
control of the master and his employer ; or
(c) where reasonably necessary in order to
comply with an express or implied warranty; or
(d) where reasonably necessary for the safety
of the ship or subject-matter insured; or
(e) for the purpose of saving human life or
aiding a ship in distress where human life may be in danger; or
(f) where reasonably necessary for the purpose
of obtaining medical or surgical aid for any person on board the ship; or
(g) where caused by the barratrous conduct of
the master or crew, if barratry be one of the perils insured against.
(2) When the cause
excusing the deviation or delay ceases to operate, the ship must resume her
course, and prosecute her voyage, with reasonable dispatch.