The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021.

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The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 

 (ACT NO. 20 OF 2021) 

[As on the 4th May, 2026] 

  



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LIST OF AMENDMENT ACT 

1. The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025). 

 

 

 

 

 

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED 

Cl., cls.              . . . .            .            for            Clause, clauses. 

Ins.                 . . . . .            ,,               Inserted. 

Notifn.  . . . . .  ,,     Notification. 

S., ss.  . . . . .  ,,     Section, sections. 

Sch.  . . . . .  ,,     Schedule. 

Subs.  . . . . .  ,,     Substituted. 

w.e.f.  . . . . .  ,,     with effect from. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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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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CHAPTER VII 

OBSTRUCTION TO FUNCTIONING OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION 

SECTIONS 

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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CHAPTER XIII 

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 

SECTIONS 

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. Non-compliance 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. 

48A. Power of Director-General appointed under Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 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. 

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;  

 
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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(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. 

 

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.  



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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 

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



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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. 

 



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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 

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 



16 
 

(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. 

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 



17 
 

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. 

1 [48A. Power of Director-General appointed under Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 to issue                   

directions.—The Director-General appointed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 may issue such 

directions as may be necessary, to the Director General appointed under this Act for the purposes of 

implementation of this Act.] 

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; 

 
 1. Ins. by Act 24 of 2025, s. 325 (w.e.f. 15-3-2026). 

 
 



18 
 

(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; 

(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. 

  



19 
 

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 

The Lighthouse Act, 1927 (the said Act) was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to 

the provision, maintenance and control of lighthouse by the Government in India. Prior to the year 

1927, there was no uniform system of management of lighthouse services in British India which 

included Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh and also various Princely States. As a first step to centralise 

the administration of lighthouses, the government decided to enact the said Act to administer thirty 

two lighthouses in the then six districts, namely Aden, Karachi, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and 

Rangoon. 

2. Over the period of time, maritime sector has undergone massive change and there have been 

enormous technological development in the field of marine aids to navigation such as vessel traffic 

services and diversification of aids to navigation to include technical aids other than lighthouses and 

lightships. Since, the role of marine aids to navigation has moved from a purely passive one based on 

“Visual Aids to Navigation” to “Radio and Digital Based Aids to Navigation”, the roles of the 

Government and the Director General appointed under section 3 of the said Act have considerably 

widened. However, lack of statutory framework for such technological advancement has resulted in 

operational difficulties. 

3. Therefore, in order to provide appropriate statutory framework to reflect the 

technological advancement in marine aids to navigation and the expanded role of regulators 

and operators thereof so as to be in compliance with the obligation under the maritime 

treaties and international instruments to which India is a party, the Government has decided 

to make the proposed legislation by repealing the said Act. 

4. The Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021, inter alia, provides for the following, namely:— 

(a) to use the term “marine aids to navigation” instead of “lighthouse” in order to statutorily 

recognise and enable further use of modern forms of aids to navigation; 

(b) renaming of the existing Director General of Lighthouse and Lightships as the Director 

General of Marine Aids to Navigation; 

(c) to provide a framework for establishment, operation and management of aids to navigation; 

(d) to provide a framework for establishment, operation and management of vessel traffic 

services; 

(e) to empower the Central Government to appoint by notification, the Director General of 

Marine Aids to Navigation and a Competent Authority for Vessel Traffic Services; 

(f) to empower the Central Government to provide by the rules the standards of regulation and 

operation of vessel traffic services; 

(g) to provide for training and certification for operators of marine aids to navigation and vessel 

traffic services; 

(h) to provide for marking of wrecks; 

(i) to empower the Central Government for identification and development of heritage 

lighthouses; 



20 
 

(j) to provide for levy of marine aids to navigation dues in the place of the existing light-dues, 

levied on all vessels entering into or departing from a port in India; 

(k) to provide for offences and penalties for obstruction and damage to marine aids to navigation 

or vessel traffic services; 

(l) to empower the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the 

proposed legislation. 

5. The notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions contained in the Bill. 

6. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.  

 

 

 

 

MANSUKH MANDAVIYA. 

  NEW DELHI;  

The 4th March, 2021. 

 

 

 

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