law: 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.