The Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021

In News

• Recently, Lok Sabha passed Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021 to replace the old Lighthouse Act, 1927.
• The Bill seeks to incorporate the global best practices, technological developments and India’s International obligations in the field of Aids to Marine Navigation.

 Key features of the Bill include:

Application:

• The Bill applies to the whole of India including various maritime zones including territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone.

Aid to navigation:

• The Bill defines aid to navigation as a device, system, or service, external to the vessels designed and operated to enhance the safety and efficiency of navigation of vessels and vessel traffic.
•   A vessel includes a ship, boat, sailing vessel, fishing vessel, submersible, and mobile offshore drilling units. 

Director-General of Aids to Navigation:

• The Bill provides that the central government will appoint
  •  a Director-General, (ii) Deputy Director Generals and (iii) Directors for districts (which the centre may demarcate).
  •  The Director-General will advise the central government on matters related to aids to navigation, among others.

Central Advisory Committee:

• The central government may appoint a Central Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of persons representing the interests affected by the Bill, or having special knowledge of the sector. 

Management of General Aids to Navigation and vessel traffic services:

•  The central government will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of all general aids to navigation and vessel traffic services.

Training and certification:

• The Bill provides that no person shall be allowed to operate on any aid to navigation (including any ancillary activities), or any vessel traffic service in any place unless he holds a valid training certificate. 
• The central government will accredit training organisations for imparting training to, or conduct assessments of, persons in the operation of aids to navigation and vessel traffic services.

Levy of marine aids to navigation dues:

•  The Bill provides that marine aids to navigation dues will be levied and collected for every ship arriving at or departing from any port in India, at the rate specified by the central government from time to time. 
• The central government may wholly or partially exempt certain vessels from these dues.  These vessels include:
  •  Any government ship, which is not carrying cargo or passengers for freight or fares, or
  • Any other ship, classes of ships, or ships performing specified voyages.

Heritage Lighthouse:

• The central government may designate any aid to navigation under its control as a heritage lighthouse.
•  In addition to their function as aids to navigation, such lighthouses will be developed for educational, cultural, and tourism purposes.
• The proposed legislation encompasses a major shift from lighthouses to modern aids of navigation.

Penalties:

•  It comprises a new schedule of offences, along with commensurate penalties for obstructing and damaging the aids to navigation, and non-compliance with directives issued by the central government and other bodies.

Significance

• The Bill also helps in the development of its historical, educational and cultural value of lighthouses, and ensures compliance with the country’s obligations under the maritime treaties and International Instruments.
• the centre will help all the boats in getting a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled navigation systems.