(1)

The Central Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules with respect to the crew accommodation to be provided in ships of any class specified in the rules.

(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) the minimum space for each person which must be provided in any ship to which the rules apply by way of sleeping accommodation for seamen and apprentices and the maximum number of persons by whom any specified part of such sleeping accommodation may be used;

(b) the position in any such ship in which the crew accommodation or any part thereof may be located and the standards to be observed in the construction, equipment and furnishing of any such accommodation;

(c) the submission to such authority as may be specified in this behalf of plans and specifications of any works proposed to be carried out for the provision or alteration of any such accommodation and the authorisation of that authority to inspect any such works;

(d) the maintenance and repair of any such accommodation and the prohibition or restriction of the use of any such accommodation for purposes other than those for which it is designed;

(e) the manner as to how ships registered or under construction at the commencement of any rules made under this section may be dealt with after such commencement;

(f) [ the fees that may be levied for the survey or inspection of crew spaces and for scrutiny of plans of crew accommodation spaces and the manner in which such fees may be collected;]

(3)

If any person making an inspection under section 176 finds that the crew accommodation is insanitary or is not in accordance with the provisions of this Act, he shall signify it in writing to the master of the ship and may, if he thinks fit, detain the ship until the defects are remedied to his satisfaction.

Explanation .-In this section, the expression "crew accommodation " includes sleeping rooms, mess rooms, sanitary accommodation, hospital accommodation, recreation accommodation, store rooms and catering accommodation provided for the use of seamen and apprentices, not being accommodation which is also used by, or provided for the use of, passengers.