“7-A. Driving licence to drive mechanized fishing vessel.— (1) No person shall drive a mechanized fishing vessel, unless he holds a valid driving licence authorising him to drive the mechanized fishing vessel.
(2) Any person, who has completed eighteen years of age, may apply to the authorised officer having jurisdiction in the area, in which he ordinarily resides or carries on business to issue to him a driving licence for driving a mechanized fishing vessel.
(3) Every application under sub-section (2) shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such fee and such documents as may be prescribed.
(4) The authorised officer, on satisfaction of the terms and conditions as may be prescribed, shall issue the applicant a driving licence to drive a mechanized fishing vessel.
Insertion of new sections 7-A and 7-B TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY
(5) The licence issued under sub-section (4) shall be valid for a period of five years.
7-B. Renewal of driving licence.—(1) An authorised officer may, on an application made to him, renew a driving licence for a further period of five years to drive a mechanized fishing vessel.
(2) An application for the renewal of a driving licence shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such fee and such documents as may be prescribed.”.
9. In section 10 of the principal Act,—
(1) in sub-section (1), for the expression “section 11 of the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 (Central Act 13 of 1972)”, the expression “section 435-C of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (Central Act 44 of 1958)” shall be substituted;
(2) after sub-section (2), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:— “(2-A) On receipt of such application, the authorised officer shall, by an order, cause the fishing vessel to be inspected by an inspection officer.
(2-B) The inspection officer shall inspect the fishing vessel to ensure the compliance of the requirements as may be prescribed and issue a certificate of inspection.”;
(3) in sub-section (5-A), for the expression “carry buoy, first aid box, equipment for communication and such life saving and fire fighting appliances”, the expression “carries sea safety, surveillance and communication system” shall be substituted;
(4) after sub-section (5-B), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:— “(5-BB) The owner of a fishing vessel which has been registered under this section before the date of commencement of the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2016 shall provide sea safety, surveillance and communication systems as may be prescribed in such fishing vessel within ninety days from such commencement.
(5-C) Every fishing vessel registered under this section shall be painted in such manner as may be prescribed by the Government from time to time.”.
Amendmen t of section
10.
Insertion of new sections 10-A and 10-B