law: Indian Ports Act, 1908
  42. Distraint and sale on refusal to pay port-charges 
  If the master of any vessel in respect of which any port-dues,
  
  fees or other charges are payable under this Act, refuses or neglects to pay
  
  the same on demand, the authority appointed to receive such port-dues, fees or
  
  other charges may distrain or arrest the vessel, and the tackle apparel and
  
  furniture belonging thereto or any part thereof, and detain the same until the
  
  amount due is paid;
  and in case any part of the port-dues fees or other charges or
  
  of the costs of the distress or arrest or of the keeping of the vessel or other
  
  thing distrained or arrested remains unpaid for the space of five days next
  
  after any such distress or arrest, may cause the vessel or other thing
  
  distrained or arrested to be sold, and with the proceeds of such sale may
  
  satisfy the port-dues, fees or other charges and the cost including the costs
  
  of sale remaining unpaid, and shall render the surplus, if any, to the master
  
  of the vessel upon demand.