THE MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION ACT, 2021  
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

DESIGNATION OF GENERAL AID TO NAVIGATION 

3.  Power to designate general aid to navigation. 

CHAPTER III 

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

4.  Appointment of Director General, Deputy Director Generals and Directors. 
5.  Duties of Director General. 
6.  Central Advisory Committee. 
7.  Proceedings of Central Advisory Committee not to be invalidated. 

CHAPTER IV 

MANAGEMENT OF GENERAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

8.  Management of general aids to navigation. 
9.  Powers of Central Government relating to aids to navigation. 

CHAPTER V 

MANAGEMENT OF VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES 

10. Management of vessel traffic services. 
11. Powers of Central Government relating to vessel traffic services. 
12. Competent Authority for Vessel Traffic Services. 
13. Standards for establishment and operation of vessel traffic services. 

CHAPTER VI 

INSPECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

14. Power to inspect local aids to navigation.  
15. Control of local aids to navigation by Central Government 
16. Management of local aids to navigation by Central Government. 

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SECTIONS 

CHAPTER VII 

OBSTRUCTION TO FUNCTIONING OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

17. Power of Central Government to remove or alter obstructions to aids to navigation. 

CHAPTER VIII 

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 

18. Power of Central Government to train and certify operators of aids to navigation and vessel traffic 

services.  
19. Certification. 
20. Accreditation of training organisations. 

CHAPTER IX 

MARKING OF WRECKS 

21. Marking of wrecks. 
22. Reimbursement for marking wrecks. 

CHAPTER X 

DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE LIGHTHOUSES 

23. Power of Central Government to designate any aid to navigation as heritage lighthouse. 

CHAPTER XI 

MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION DUES 

24. Levy and collection of marine aids to navigation dues. 
25. Utilisation of marine aids to navigation dues. 
26. Receipts relating to marine aids to navigation dues and their verification. 
27. Assessment of marine aids to navigation dues and ascertainment of tonnage. 
28. Recovery of marine aids to navigation dues. 
29. Refusal of port clearance. 
30. Determination of disputes as to liability for payment. 
31. Marine aids to navigation dues payable at one port recoverable at another. 
32. Exemption. 
33. Refund of excess payments. 
34. Fees. 

CHAPTER XII 

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

35. Receipt and expenditure. 
36. Annual report. 

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SECTIONS 

CHAPTER XIII 

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 

37. Intentionally obstructing aids to navigation or vessel traffic services. 
38. Negligently obstructing aids to navigation or vessel traffic services. 
39. Intentionally destroying or damaging aids to navigation or vessel traffic services. 
40. Negligently destroying or damaging aids to navigation or vessel traffic services. 
41. Causing damage to heritage lighthouse. 
42. Evading payment of marine aids to navigation dues. 
43. Noncompliance with directions of vessel traffic service provider. 
44. Cognizance of offences. 
45. Place of trial and jurisdiction of court.  

CHAPTER XIV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

46. Power of Central Government to make rules. 
47. Delegation of powers by Central Government. 
48. Power of Central Government to issue directions. 
49. Protection of action taken in good faith. 
50. Power to remove difficulties. 
51. Laying of rules and notifications before Parliament. 
52. Repeal and savings. 

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THE MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION ACT, 2021  

ACT NO. 20 OF 2021 

[31st July, 2021.] 

An Act  to  provide for the development,  maintenance and management of  aids  to  navigation in 
India;  for  training  and  certification  of  operator  of  aids  to  navigation,  development  of  its 
historical, educational and cultural value; to ensure compliance with the obligation under the 
maritime  treaties  and  international  instruments  to  which  India  is  a  party  and  for  matters 
connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

 WHEREAS India is signatory to maritime treaties and international instruments such as International 
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended; and International Association of Marine Aids 
and Lighthouse Authorities Maritime Buoyage System;  

AND  WHEREAS  it  is  considered  necessary  to  give  effect  to  the  said  treaties  and  instruments  which,  

inter alia, provide for aids to navigation, vessel traffic services and marking of wrecks; 

 AND  WHEREAS  it  is  necessary  to  provide  for  and  create  a  framework  for  the  development, 
maintenance and management of vessel traffic services in India; training and certification of operators of 
aids  to  navigation;  and  the  development  of  the  historical  educational  and  cultural  value  of  aids  to 
navigation; 

AND WHEREAS it is further necessary to create a framework for the levy and collection of marine aids 
to navigation dues to discharge the sovereign functions of development, maintenance and management of 
aids to navigation and vessel traffic services in India by Government, and for matters connected therewith 
or incidental thereto.  

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1.  Short  title,  extent  and  commencement.—(1)  This  Act  may  be  called  the  Marine  Aids  to 

Navigation Act, 2021. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India including the maritime zones of India as specified in the Territorial 

Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976). 

(3)  It  shall  come  into  force  on  such  date1   as  the  Central  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the 
Official  Gazette,  appoint; and  different dates  may  be  appointed  for  different  provisions  of this  Act  and 
any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to 
the coming into force of that provision. 

1. 31ST March, 2022, vide notification No. S.O.1202(E), dated 17th March, 2022, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 
3 (ii). 

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2. Definitions.— (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—  

(a)  “accredited  training  organisation”  means  any  organisation  which  is  accredited  by  the  Central 

Government under section 20 ;  

(b)  “aid  to  navigation”  means  a  device,  system  or  service,  external  to  vessels,  designed  and 
operated to enhance safe and efficient navigation of individual vessels and vessel traffic, but shall not 
be construed to include a reference to vessel traffic services, unless otherwise specified; 

(c)  “Director  General”  means  the  Director  General  of  Aids  to  Navigation  appointed  under      

section 4; 

(d)  “district”  means  an  area  demarcated  as  a  district  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act  under                

sub-section (1) of section 4; 

(e) “general aid to navigation” means any aid to navigation, which the Central Government may, by 
notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a general aid to navigation for the purposes of this 
Act; 

(f) “heritage lighthouse” means an aid to navigation designated as such under section 23; 

(g) “local aid to navigation” means any aid to navigation which is not a general aid to navigation; 

(h)  “local  authority”  means  a  State  Government  or  other  person  having  superintendence  and 

management over a local aid to navigation; 

(i) “marine aids to navigation dues” means the dues levied under section 24; 

(j) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette of India and the expression 

“notify” with its grammatical variation and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly; 

(k) “owner” means the owner of a vessel including its registered owner, a person to whom a share 

in the vessel belongs, bareboat charterer, manager and operator of the vessel; 

(l) “port” means any port as defined in the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of 1908); 

(m) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

(n) “proper officer” in relation to any functions to be performed under this Act, means the officer of 
customs  who  is  assigned  those  functions  by  the  Central  Board  of  Indirect  Taxes  and  Customs 
constituted  under  the  Central  Boards  of  Revenue Act,  1963  (54  of  1963),  and  includes  any  person 
appointed by the Central Government to discharge the functions of a proper officer under this Act; 

(o) “rule” means rules made by the Central Government under this Act; 

(p) “ship” includes a sailing vessel; 

(q) “vessel” includes every description of water craft used or capable of being used in the marine 
environment,  such  as  ship,  boat,  sailing  vessel,  fishing  vessel,  submersible,  semi-submersible, 
hydrofoils, non-displacement crafts, amphibious crafts, wing-in-ground crafts, pleasure crafts, barges, 
lighters, mobile offshore drilling units or mobile offshore units; 

(r) “vessel traffic service” means a service implemented under this Act to improve the safety and 

efficiency of vessel traffic and to protect the environment 

(2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this Act, and defined in the Merchant Shipping Act, 

1958 (44 of 1958), shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in that Act. 

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CHAPTER II 

DESIGNATION OF GENERAL AID TO NAVIGATION 

3. Power to designate general aid to navigation.— The Central Government may, by notification in 

the Official Gazette, designate any aid to navigation to be a general aid to navigation.  

CHAPTER III 

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

4. Appointment of Director General, Deputy Director Generals and Directors.— (1) The Central 

Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint,— 

(a) the Director General; 

(b) Deputy Director Generals; and 

(c) Directors for districts. 

(2)  For  the  purposes  of  sub-section  (1),  the  Central  Government  may  demarcate  such  areas  to  be 

districts. 

(3)  Every  officer  appointed  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  discharge  his  functions  under  the  general 

superintendence and control of the Director General. 

5.  Duties  of  Director  General.—  The  Director  General  shall  advise  the  Central  Government  on 
matters relating to aids to navigation and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Central 
Government under this Act or in any other law for the time being in force. 

6. Central Advisory Committee.— (1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official 

Gazette, appoint a Central Advisory Committee. 

(2) The Central Government shall consult the Central Advisory Committee in regard to— 

(a) the establishment or position of aids to navigation or of any works appertaining thereto; or 

(b) additions to or the alteration or removal of, any aid to navigation; or 

(c) variations to any aid to navigation or of the mode of use thereof; or 

(d) the cost of any proposal relating to aids to navigation; or 

(e) appointment of any sub-committee under sub-section (3); or 

(f) the making or alteration of any rules or rates of marine aids to navigation dues under this Act. 

(3) The Central Government may, if it deems necessary, appoint sub-committees for the purposes of 

advising it in regard to any of the matters specified under this Act. 

(4)  The  Central  Advisory  Committee  and  the  sub-committees  referred  to  in  sub-section  (3)  shall 
consist of such persons representing the interests affected by this Act or having special knowledge of the 
subject matter thereof. 

(5) The procedure and conduct of business of the Central Advisory Committee and the sub-committees 

referred to in sub-section (3) shall be such as may be prescribed. 

7.  Proceedings  of  Central  Advisory  Committee  not  to  be  invalidated.— No act or proceeding of 

the Central Advisory Committee shall be invalidated merely by reason of— 

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in its constitution; or 

(b) any defect in appointment of a person acting as its member; or 

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(c) any irregularity in its procedure not affecting the merits of the case. 

CHAPTER IV 

MANAGEMENT OF GENERAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

8. Management of general aids to navigation.— The development, maintenance and management of 

all general aids to navigation shall be vested in the Central Government. 

9. Powers  of  Central  Government  relating  to  aids  to  navigation.— (1) The Central Government, 
shall  have  the  following  powers  relating  to  the  development,  maintenance  and  management  of  general 
aids to navigation, namely:— 

(a) establish and maintain aids to navigation; 

(b) add to, alter or remove any aid to navigation; 

(c) alter or vary any aid to navigation; 

(d) authorise to inspect any aid to navigation which may affect the safety of navigation; 

(e) authorise to enter any property, whether public or private, for the purposes of inspection of any 

aid to navigation; 

(f) transport, or cause to be transported, any goods through any property, whether public or private, 

for any purpose in connection with— 

(i) the maintenance of an aid to navigation; or 

(ii) the establishment of any aid to navigation; 

(g) acquire any land as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act— 

(i) to exercise its powers; or 

(ii) for the maintenance of works. 

(2)  The  Central  Government  shall,  for  the  purposes  of  exercising  its  powers  under  sub-section  (1), 
authorise  any  of  the  officers  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  of  section  4,  by  general  or  special  order  in 
writing. 

CHAPTER V 

MANAGEMENT OF VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES 

10. Management of vessel traffic services.— (1) The development, maintenance and management of 

vessel traffic services shall be vested in the Central Government. 

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Central Government may, by order, authorise any person as 

vessel traffic service provider. 

11. Powers of Central Government relating to vessel traffic services.— The Central Government, 
shall  have  the  following  powers  relating  to  the  development,  maintenance  and  management  of  vessel 
traffic services, namely:— 

(a) declare and authorise vessel traffic service provider to operate a vessel traffic service within an 

authorised area; 

 (b) accredit and approve vessel traffic service training and certification; 

(c) establish and operate vessel traffic services, where it deems necessary; 

(d) add to or alter or require any person to add to or alter any aspect of a vessel traffic service. 

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12.  Competent  Authority  for  Vessel  Traffic  Services.—(1) The Central Government shall, for the 
purposes  of  exercising  its  powers  under  section  11,  appoint  a  Competent  Authority  for  Vessel  Traffic 
Services by notification in the Official Gazette. 

(2) The manner of appointment of the Competent Authority shall be such as may be prescribed. 

(3) The Competent Authority shall discharge such functions in such manner, as may be prescribed. 

13.  Standards  for  establishment  and  operation  of  vessel  traffic  services.—  The  standards  for 

establishing and operating vessel traffic services in India shall be such, as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER VI 

INSPECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

 14.  Power  to  inspect  local  aids  to  navigation.—  (1)  The  Central  Government  may  authorise  any 
officer  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  of  section  4  in writing,  to  enter  upon  at  any  time  and  inspect  any 
local aid to navigation and make such inquiries in respect thereof or of the management thereof as such 
officer thinks fit. 

(2) Every person having the charge of, or concerned in the management of, any local aid to navigation 
shall  furnish  to  the  officer  authorised  under  sub-section  (1)  to  inspect  such  aid  to  navigation,  all  such 
information as the officer may require. 

(3)  Every  local  authority  shall  furnish  to  the  Central  Government  all  such  returns  and  other 
information in respect of the aids to navigation under its supervision and management, or of any of them, 
as the Central Government may require. 

15. Control of local aids to navigation by Central Government.— (1) If the Central Government is 
satisfied, after an inspection under section 14 or such other inquiry, that a direction under this sub-section 
is necessary or expedient for the safety, or otherwise, in the interests of vessels, it may direct any local 
authority— 

(a) to remove or discontinue or to refrain from moving or discontinuing any aid to navigation under 
its superintendence and management or to make or refrain from making any variation in the character 
or mode of use of any such aid to navigation; or 

(b)  to  erect,  place  or  maintain,  or  to  refrain  from  erecting,  placing  or  maintaining  any  aid  to 

navigation within the local limits within which the local authority exercises its powers. 

(2)  A  local  authority  shall not  erect,  place,  remove  or  discontinue  any  aid to  navigation  or  vary  the 
character or mode of use of any aid to navigation, unless it has given to the Central Government at least 
one month’s notice in writing of its intention so to do: 

Provided that, in cases of emergency, a local authority may take such action as it deems necessary and 
shall give immediate notice of the same to the Central Government and, so far as is possible, to all vessels 
approaching or in the vicinity of such aid to navigation. 

(3) If any local authority— 

(a) fails to comply with any direction made under sub-section (1); or 

(b) fails to exercise or perform, or exercises or performs in an improper, inefficient or unsuitable 
manner,  any  power  or  duty  relating  to  the  superintendence  or  management  of  any  aid  to  navigation 
conferred or imposed upon it by or under any law for the time being in force; or 

(c) fails to make adequate financial provision for the performance of any such duty, 

the  Central  Government  may,  by  order  in  writing,  require  such  local  authority  to  comply  with  the 
direction, or to make arrangements to the satisfaction of that Government for the proper exercise of the 

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power or performance of the duty, or to make financial provision to the satisfaction of that Government 
for the performance of the duty, as the case may be, within such period as it may specify. 

(4) If the local authority fails to comply with an order made under sub-section (3) within the specified 
period or within such further time as the Central Government may allow, the Central Government may 
exercise the power or perform the duty or make the requisite financial provision, as the case may be, and 
the local authority shall be liable to reimburse to the Central Government any expenditure incurred by it 
in so doing. 

16. Management of local aids to navigation by Central Government.— The Central Government 
may, at the request of a local authority, undertake the superintendence and management of any local aids 
to  navigation  on  its  behalf,  and  the  local  authority  shall  pay  to  the  Central  Government  such  sums  to 
defray the cost of superintendence and management, as may be agreed. 

CHAPTER VII 

OBSTRUCTION TO FUNCTIONING OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

17.  Power  of  Central  Government  to  remove  or  alter  obstructions  to  aids  to  navigation.—  (1) 
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify restrictions on activities that 
interfere with or obstruct the operation of any aid to navigation within the specified distance of such aid to 
navigation. 

(2)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  any  other  law  for  the  time  being  in  force,  where  the 
functioning of any aid to navigation or vessel traffic service is being obstructed, directly or indirectly, the 
Central  Government  may,  if it  deems  fit,  issue such directions  as  may  be  necessary  for the removal  or 
alteration of such obstruction. 

CHAPTER VIII 

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION 

18. Power of Central Government to train and certify operators of aids to navigation and vessel 
traffic services.—(1) No person shall be allowed to operate or work on, including any ancillary activities 
as  may  be  prescribed,  any  aid  to  navigation  in  any  place  unless  he  holds  a  valid  training  certificate 
certifying that such person has been trained in the operation of such aid to navigation. 

(2)  No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  operate  or  work  on,  including  any  ancillary  activities  as  may  be 
prescribed, a vessel traffic service in any place unless he holds a valid training certificate certifying that 
such person has been trained in the operation of vessel traffic services. 

(3) A certificate of training issued under this Act shall be valid and effective throughout the territory of 

India. 

19. Certification.—A certificate mentioned in sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 18 shall be issued by 
an accredited training organisation referred to in section 20, in such form, subject to such conditions and 
in such manner, as may be prescribed. 

20.  Accreditation  of  training  organisations.—(1)  The  Central  Government  shall  accredit  training 
organisations  for  imparting  training  to,  or  conduct  assessments  of,  persons  in  the  operation  of  aids  to 
navigation and vessel traffic services. 

(2) The Central Government shall accredit such training organisations which meet the criteria, as may 
be prescribed, for imparting training to trainees or conduct assessment of persons in the operation of aids 
to navigation and vessel traffic services. 

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CHAPTER IX 

MARKING OF WRECKS 

21. Marking of wrecks.—The Central Government may, if considers necessary, give directions to any 
officer referred to in sub-section (1) of section 4 to mark any wreck in such manner as may be prescribed. 

22.  Reimbursement  for  marking  wrecks.—The  cost  for  marking  the  wreck  shall  be  borne  by  or 

recovered from the owner or the operator of such vessel in such manner as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER X 

DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE LIGHTHOUSES 

23. Power of Central Government to designate any aid to navigation as heritage lighthouse.— (1) 
The  Central  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette,  designate  any  aid  to  navigation 
under its control as a heritage lighthouse. 

(2) The Central Government shall develop the heritage lighthouses designated under sub-section (1), 
in  addition  to  their  function  as  aids  to  navigation  or  otherwise,  for  educational,  cultural  and  tourism 
purposes, in such manner as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER XI 

MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION DUES 

24.  Levy and collection of marine aids to navigation dues.—(1) There shall be levied and collected 
the marine aids to navigation dues, at such rates, as the Central Government may, by notification in the 
Official Gazette, specify from time to time. 

(2) The marine aids to navigation dues levied under sub-section (1) shall be collected by the proper 
officer in respect of every ship arriving at or departing from any port in India, from such person, in such 
manner and at such time, as may be prescribed. 

(3) The proceeds of the marine aids to navigation dues collected shall be credited to the Consolidated 

Fund of India in such manner as may be prescribed. 

(4) Every owner causing any ship to arrive at or depart from any port in India shall, self-assessing its 
liability to pay dues, file a return before the proper officer in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. 

25. Utilisation of marine aids to navigation dues.—The marine aids to navigation dues levied under 

this Act shall be utilised for fulfilling the obligations and carrying out the purposes of this Act. 

26.  Receipts  relating  to  marine  aids  to  navigation  dues  and  their  verification.—(1)  The  owner 
shall credit the marine aids to navigation dues into the account of the Central Government in such manner 
as may be prescribed. 

(2) The payment of marine aids to navigation dues shall be verified by the proper officer in respect 

of.— 

(a) the port at which the marine aids to navigation dues has been paid; 

(b) the amount of the payment; 

(c) the date on which the marine aids to navigation dues became payable; and 

(d) the name, tonnage and other proper description of the ship in respect of which the payment is 

made,  

for the purpose of granting clearance. 

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27. Assessment of marine aids to navigation dues and ascertainment of tonnage.—(1) The proper 
officer to whom the return has been furnished under sub-section (4) of section 24 shall, after making or 
causing to be made such inquiry as he thinks fit and after satisfying himself that the particulars stated in 
the return are correct, by order, assess the amount of marine aids to navigation dues payable by the owner 
or the master of the ship. 

(2)  If  the return  has  not  been  furnished to the proper officer  under  sub-section  (4)  of  section  24, he 
shall,  after  making  or  causing  to  be  made  such  inquiry  as  he  thinks  fit,  by  order,  assess the  amount  of 
marine aids to navigation dues payable by the owner or the master of the ship. 

(3) For the purposes of levy of marine aids to navigation dues, the tonnage of a ship or sailing vessel 
shall  be  reckoned  as  under  the Merchant  Shipping  Act,  1958  (44  of  1958), for such  dues  payable on a 
ship’s tonnage including the tonnage of any space added under the said Act to the tonnage of ships by 
reason of such space being utilised for carrying cargo. 

(4) In order to ascertain the tonnage of any ship for the purpose of levying marine aids to navigation 
dues, the proper officer may, if he deems it fit, require the production of any documents, the appearance 
of any person and the inspection of any vessel, in such manner as may be prescribed. 

28. Recovery of marine aids to navigation dues.—(1) If the owner of any ship refuses or neglects to 
pay the amount of marine aids to navigation dues payable under this Act in respect of the ship, the proper 
officer  may  seize  the  ship  along  with  its  equipment  or  any  part  thereof,  and  detain  the  same  until  the 
amount of the marine aids to navigation dues, together with the costs of the seizure and detention is paid. 

(2) If any part of such marine aids to navigation dues remains unpaid after the expiry of thirty days 
following the date of the seizure, the proper officer may cause the ship or other thing seized to be sold, 
and  with  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  may  satisfy  the  marine  aids  to  navigation  dues  remaining  unpaid, 
together with the costs of the sale and shall repay the surplus, if any, to the person by whom the same 
were payable. 

29.  Refusal  of  port  clearance.—The officer whose duty it is to grant a port clearance for any ship 
shall not grant the port clearance until the amount of marine aids to navigation dues payable in respect of 
the  ship  under  this  Act  and  of  any  fines  imposed  thereunder  has  been  paid,  or  until  security  for  the 
payment thereof has been given to his satisfaction. 

30.  Determination  of  disputes  as  to  liability  for  payment.—If  any  dispute  arises  as  to  whether 
marine aids to navigation dues, expenses or costs are payable in respect of any ship under this Act or as to 
the amount of such dues, expenses or costs, such dispute shall, on an application made in this behalf by 
either of the disputing parties, be heard and determined by a civil court having jurisdiction at the place 
where the dispute arose. 

31. Marine aids to navigation dues payable at one port recoverable at another.—(1) If the master 
of any ship in respect of which marine aids to navigation dues is payable at any port causes the ship to 
leave such port without having paid such dues, the proper officer at that port may, by writing, require the 
proper  officer  at  any  other  port  in  India  to  which  the  ship  may  proceed,  to  recover  the  marine  aids  to 
navigation dues remaining unpaid. 

(2) Any proper officer to whom such a requisition is directed, shall proceed to levy such sum as if it 
were payable under this Act at the port at which he is the proper officer, and a certificate by the proper 
officer at the port at which the marine aids to navigation dues first became payable, stating the amount 
payable, shall be sufficient proof in any proceeding under this Act that such amount is payable. 

32. Exemption.—The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt.—  

(a) any ship belonging to the Central Government or any State Government, which is not carrying 

cargo or passengers for freight or fares; or 

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(b) any other ship, or classes of ships or ships performing specified voyages,  

from the payment of marine aids to navigation dues either wholly or to such extent as may be specified in 
that notification. 

33. Refund of excess payments.—Where the marine aids to navigation dues has been paid in respect 
of any ship in excess of the amount payable under this Act, no claim to refund of such excess payment 
shall be admissible, unless it is made within six months from the date of such payment. 

34.  Fees.—The fees to be charged for providing assistance to ships for rendering special services to 

vessels shall be at such rates as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER XII 

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

35.  Receipt  and  expenditure.—The  Central  Government  shall  cause  to  be  maintained  a  separate 
account of all amounts received by way of marine aids to navigation dues, expenses, costs and fines under 
this Act and of all expenditure incurred for the purposes of  this Act, and shall cause such account to be 
laid before the Central Advisory Committee, as soon as possible after the close of each financial year. 

36. Annual report.—(1) The Central Government shall cause to be laid before the Central Advisory 
Committee  before  the  close  of  each  financial  year  a  statement  of  the  estimated  receipts  under, and 
expenditure for the purposes of this Act, during the forthcoming year. 

(2)  The  statement  of  estimated  receipts  and  expenditure  shall  be  prepared  in  consultation  with  the 

Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, in such manner as may be prescribed. 

CHAPTER XIII 

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 

37.  Intentionally  obstructing  aids  to  navigation  or  vessel  traffic  services.—(1)  Whoever, 
intentionally commits any act or omits to do any act, which results in obstruction of, or reduction in, or 
limitation  of,  the  effectiveness  of,  any  aid  to  navigation  or  vessel  traffic  service,  shall  be  liable  to 
imprisonment for a term which may extend up to six months or with fine which may extend up to one 
lakh rupees, or with both. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no person shall be liable for punishment, if 

that.— 

(a) act or omission was necessary to save a life or a vessel; and 

(b) such person took all reasonable steps to avoid the obstruction, reduction or limitation. 

38. Negligently obstructing aids to navigation or vessel traffic services.—(1) Whoever, negligently 
commits any act or omits to do any act, which results in obstruction of, or reduction in, or limitation of, 
the effectiveness of, any aid to navigation or vessel traffic service, shall be liable to imprisonment for a 
term which may extend up to three months or with fine which may extend up to fifty thousand rupees, or 
with both. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no person shall be liable for punishment, if 

that.— 

(a) act or omission was necessary to save a life or a vessel; and 

(b) such person took all reasonable steps to avoid the obstruction, reduction or limitation. 

39.  Intentionally  destroying  or  damaging  aids  to  navigation  or  vessel  traffic  services.—(1) 
Whoever, intentionally commits any act or omits to do any act, which results in damage to or destruction 

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of any aid to navigation or vessel traffic service, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may 
extend up to twelve months or with fine which may extend up to five lakh rupees, or with both. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no person shall be liable for punishment, if 

that— 

(a) act or omission was necessary to save a life or a vessel; and 

(b) such person took all reasonable steps to avoid the damage or destruction. 

40.  Negligently  destroying  or  damaging  aids  to  navigation  or  vessel  traffic  services.—(1) 
Whoever, negligently commits any act or omits to do any act, which results in damage to or destruction of 
any  aid  to  navigation  or  vessel  traffic  service,  shall  be  liable  to  imprisonment  for  a  term  which  may 
extend up to six months or with fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees, or with both. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no person shall be liable for punishment, if 

that— 

(a) act or omission was necessary to save a life or a vessel; and 

(b) such person took all reasonable steps to avoid the damage or destruction. 

41. Causing damage to heritage lighthouse.— (1) Whoever, commits any act or omits to do any act, 
which results in damage to or destruction of any heritage lighthouse, shall be liable to imprisonment for a 
term which may extend up to six months or with fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees, or with 
both. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no person shall be liable for punishment, if 

that.— 

(a) act or omission was necessary to save a life or a vessel; and 

(b)  such  person  took  all  reasonable  steps  to  avoid  the  destruction,  fouling,  damage,  reduction  or 

limitation. 

42. Evading payment of marine aids to navigation dues.— Every owner or master of a ship, who 
evades or attempts to evade the payment of marine aids to navigation dues, expenses or costs payable in 
respect of the ship under this Act, shall be liable for fine, which may extend up to five times the amount 
of the sum so payable. 

43. Non-compliance with directions of vessel traffic service provider.— Every owner or master of 
a  ship,  who  fails  to  comply  with  any  direction  issued  by  a  vessel  traffic  service  provider  relating  to  a 
vessel traffic service under this Act, shall be liable to fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees. 

 44.  Cognizance  of  offences.—(1)  No  court  shall  take  cognizance  of  any  offence  under  this  Act, 
except  upon  a  complaint  in  writing  made  by  any  officer  authorised  in  this  behalf  by  the  Central 
Government. 

(2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall 

try any offence under this Act. 

45. Place of trial and jurisdiction of court.—Whoever, commits any offence under this Act or any 
rules  made  thereunder,  may  ordinarily  be  inquired  into  and  tried  by  a  court  within  whose  local 
jurisdiction— 

(a) such offence was committed; or 

(b) such person may be found; or 

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(c) in any court which the Central Government may, by notification, direct in this behalf; or 

(d) in any court in which he might be tried under any other law for time being in force. 

CHAPTER XIV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

46. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, after previous 

publication, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) duties of the Director General under section 5; 

(b)  procedure  and  conduct  of  business  of  Central  Advisory  Committee  and  sub-committees 

constituted under sub-section (5) of section 6; 

(c)  manner  of  appointment  of  the  Competent  Authority  under  sub-section  (2)  and  its  functions 

under sub-section (3), of section 12; 

(d) standards for establishment and operation of vessel traffic services under section 13; 

(e)  ancillary  activities  relating  to  aids  to  navigation  under  sub-section  (1)  and  ancillary  activities 

relating to vessel traffic services under sub-section (2), of section 18; 

(f) form and manner of certificate, to be issued and the conditions subject to which such certificate 
is  to  be  issued  by  the  accredited  training  organisation  and  validated  by  the  Director  General  under 
section 19; 

(g) criteria for accreditation of training organisation under sub-section (2) of section 20; 

(h) manner of marking wrecks under section 21; 

(i) manner of recovering cost from the owner of the vessel for marking the wreck under section 22; 

(j) development of heritage lighthouses designated under sub-section (2) of section 23; 

(k)  manner  of,  collection  of  marine  aids  to  navigation  dues  by  proper  officer  levied  under  sub-

section (2) and crediting the proceeds of the dues so collected under sub-section (3), of section 24; 

(l) form and manner of filing return under sub-section (4) of section 24; 

(m)  manner  of  payment  of  marine  aids to  navigation dues to  the  Central  Government  under sub-

section (1) of section 26; 

(n) manner of production of documents, appearance of any person and inspection of any vessel by 

proper officer under sub-section (4) of section 27; 

(o) rates of fees for special services under section 34; 

(p)  form  and  manner  of  statement  of  estimated  receipts  and  expenditure  to  be  prepared  in 

consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India under sub-section (2) of section 36; 

(q) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed, for the purposes of carrying out 

the purposes of this Act. 

47. Delegation of powers by Central Government.— The Central Government may delegate to any 

of its officers all or any of the functions and powers conferred upon it under this Act. 

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48. Power of Central Government to issue directions.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in 
this Act, the Director General shall, in the discharge of his functions and duties under this Act, be bound 
by  such  directions  on  questions  of  policy  as  the  Central  Government  may  give  to  him  in  writing  from 
time to time. 

(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final. 

49.  Protection  of  action  taken  in  good  faith.—  No suit, prosecution or other proceedings shall lie 
against the Central Government or any officer appointed under this Act for anything done or in good faith 
purporting to be done under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 

50.  Power  to  remove  difficulties.— (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary or expedient for removing 
the difficulty: 

Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three years from the 

commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament. 

51. Laying of rules and notifications before Parliament.—Every rule made and every notification 
issued  under  this  Act shall  be laid,  as  soon  as  may  be  after  it is  made  or  issued,  before each  House  of 
Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or 
in  two  or  more  successive  sessions,  and  if,  before  the  expiry  of  the  session  immediately  following  the 
session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in such rule, 
or notification or both Houses agree that the rule, should not be made or the notification should not be 
issued, the rule or notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as 
the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the 
validity of anything previously done under that rule or notification. 

52. Repeal and savings.— (1) The Lighthouse Act, 1927 (17 of 1927) is hereby repealed. 

(2)  Notwithstanding  the  repeal  of  the  Lighthouse  Act,  1927  (17  of  1927)  (herein  referred  to  as  the 

repealed Act), — 

(a) any notification, rule, regulation, bye-law, order or exemption issued, made or granted under the 
repealed  Act  shall,  until  revoked,  have  effect  as  if  it  had  been  issued,  made  or  granted  under  the 
provisions of this Act; 

(b) any office established or created, officer appointed and anybody elected or constituted under the 
repealed Act shall continue and shall be deemed to have been established, created, appointed, elected, 
or constituted, as the case may be, under this Act; 

(c) any document referring to the repealed Act shall be construed as referring to this Act or to the 

provision of this Act; 

(d) any fine levied under the repealed Act may be recovered as if it had been levied under this Act; 

(e) any offence committed under the repealed Act may be prosecuted and punished as if it had been 

committed under this Act; 

(f)  any  proceeding  pending  before  any  court  under  the  repealed  Act  may  be  tried  or  disposed  of 

under the corresponding provisions of this Act; 

(g)  the  officers  appointed  under  the  provisions  of  the  repealed  Act  and  continuing  during  the 

commencement of this Act shall continue as if they have been appointed under this Act; 

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(h)  any  person  appointed  under  or  by  virtue  of  the  repealed  Act  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been 

appointed to that office under or by virtue of this Act; 

(i) any inspection, investigation or inquiry ordered to be done under the provisions of the repealed 
Act shall continue to be proceeded with as if such inspection, investigation or inquiry was ordered to 
be done under the corresponding provisions of this Act. 

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