Section 35: Licensing of pilots

35. Licensing of pilots (1) The Authority may license such persons to act as pilots in or in any part of a port as it considers are suitably qualified to do so and the licence shall specify the area within which it has effect and may specify that it only has effect in relation to vessels of a particular description. P14 – 17 [Issue 1] Ports Act (2) The Authority may determine the qualifications in respect of age, physical fitness, time of service, local knowledge, skill, character and otherwise to be required from persons applying for a licence and provide for the examination of such persons. (3) The Authority may suspend or revoke a licence granted by it under this section if it appears to it that— (a) the licensed person has been guilty of any incompetence or misconduct affecting his capability as a pilot; or (b) the licensed person has ceased to have the qualifications required from persons applying for a licence under this section or has failed to provide evidence that he continues to have those qualifications. (4) Before suspending or revoking a licence under subsection (3), the Authority shall give written notice of its intention to do so to the licensed person, stating the reason for which it proposes to act, and shall give him a reasonable opportunity of making representations. (5) If any person who is not a licensed pilot for an area describes himself whilst he is in that area as being licensed for that area or holds himself out so as to indicate or be reasonably understood to indicate that he is so licensed, he shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 10,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. PART VI – HANDLING, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS IN PORTS