27. Power to Board to order sea going vessels to use docks, wharves, etc.
(1)When any dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage erected at any port or port approaches under the provisions of this Act, has been completed with sufficient warehouses, sheds and appliances for receiving, landing or shipping goods or passengers from and upon sea going vessels, the Board may, after obtaining the approval of the Collector of Customs and by notification published in three consecutive issues of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, declare that such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage jetty, pier or place of anchorage is ready for receiving landing and shipping or for landing or for shipping goods or passengers from and upon sea going vessels.(2)As from the date of the publication of such notification for the third time, it shall be lawful for the Board, from time to time, when there is room at such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage to order to come along side of such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage, for the purpose of landing and shipping goods or passengers or for landing or for shipping the same, any sea going vessel within the port or port approaches which has not commenced to discharge goods or passengers or which being about to take in goods or passengers has not commenced to do so:Provided that, before making such order, the Board shall have regard, as far as possible, to the convenience of such vessel and of the shippers, in respect of the use of any particular dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage:Provided further that if the Board is not the conservator of the port, the Board shall not itself make the order as aforesaid, but shall require the conservator of the port or other person exercising the rights, powers and authorities of the conservator of the port to make such order.
