N.Y. General Business Law § 398: Bills of lading to be issued by vessels transporting merchandise within the state

§ 398. Bills of lading to be issued by vessels transporting

merchandise within the state. It shall be the duty of the owner, master

or agent of any vessel transporting merchandise or property between

ports of this state to issue to shippers of any lawful merchandise a

bill of lading, or shipping document, or to sign a bill of lading or

shipping document when presented by the shipper or his agent, stating,

among other things, the marks necessary for identification, number of

packages or quantity, stating whether it be carrier's or shipper's

weight, and apparent order or condition of such merchandise or property

delivered to and received by the owner, master or agent of the vessel

for transportation, and such document shall be prima facie evidence of

the receipt of the merchandise therein described.