22. Grant of masters', serangs', engineers' and engine-drives' certificates of service.
(1)The State Government may, [if it thinks fit] [Substituted by the A. O. 1937 for " in its discretion"] grant without examination to any person who has served as a master, or as an engineer, of [a vessel of the Coast Guard, Indian Navy or regular Army for a period as may be prescribed by the State Government in this behalf] [Substituted [an inland mechanically propelled vessel for a period of three years before the first day of November, 1956] by Act 35 of 2007 (w.e.f. 17.9.2007) ] a certificate (hereinafter called a certificate of service) to the effect that he is, by reason of his having so served, competent to act as a first-class master, second-class master or serang, or as an engineer, first-class engine-driver or second-class engine-driver, as the case may be, on board an inland [mechanically propelled vessel] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for " steam-vessel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).].[Explanation. - For the purposes of this section,- (a) the expression "Coast Guard" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (d) of section 2 of the Coast Guard Act, 1978;(b)the expression "Indian Navy" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (10) of section 3 of the Navy Act, 1957;(c)the expression "regular Army" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (xxi) of section 3 of the Army Act, 1950][Added by Act 35 of 2007 (w.e.f. 17.9.2007) ](2)A certificate of service so granted shall have the same effect as a certificate of competency granted under this Act after examination.
