Chapter V 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.

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.

(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.

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