(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government may, by order in writing and upon such conditions, if any, as it may think fit to impose, exempt any vessel or tindal or skipper or seafarer or port or any class of vessels, from any specified requirement contained in or prescribed in pursuance of this Act or dispense with the observance of any such requirement in the case of any such vessel or tindal or skipper or seafarer or port or any class of vessels, if it is satisfied that the requirement is substantially complied with or that compliance with the requirement is or ought to be dispensed with in the circumstances of the case:
Provided that no exemption which is prohibited by the safety convention or pollution prevention convention shall be granted under this sub-section.
(2) Where an exemption is granted under sub-section (1) subject to any conditions, a breach of any of those conditions shall, without prejudice to any other remedy, be deemed to be an offence under this section.