Section 25 in The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2016
25. Inspection and Enforcement.
(1)The Director General of Shipping shall establish an effective and coordinated system of regular inspections, monitoring and other control measures to ensure that the ships, to which these rules apply, comply with the requirements of these rules.(2)The Director General of Shipping shall maintain a system of inspection of the conditions for seafarers on ships to which this rule apply, which shall include verification that the measures relating to working and living conditions as set out in the declaration of maritime labour compliance, are being followed, and that the requirements of these rules are met.(3)If the Director General of Shipping or an officer authorised by him, receives a complaint which it does not consider manifestly unfounded or obtains evidence that a ship to which these rules apply does not conform to the requirements of these rules or that there are serious deficiencies in the implementation of the measures set out in the declaration of maritime labour compliance, the Director General of Shipping or an officer authorised by him shall take necessary steps to investigate the matter and ensure that action is taken to remedy any deficiencies found.(4)The Director General of Shipping may issue clear guidelines to the inspecting authority as to the tasks to be performed and shall empower them:(a)to board a ship that flies the Indian flag;(b)to carry out any examination, test or inquiry which they may consider necessary in order to satisfy themselves that the standards are being strictly observed; and(c)to require that any deficiency is remedied and, where they have grounds to believe that deficiencies constitute a serious breach of the requirements of these rules, including seafarers' rights, or represent a significant danger to seafarers' safety, health or security, to prohibit a ship from leaving port until necessary remedial actions are taken.(5)Any action taken to pursuant clause (c) of sub-rule 4 shall be subject to right of appeal to administrative authority as may be specified by the Director General of Shipping.
