(1) The State Government may, 2[if it thinks fit], grant without examination to any person who has served as a master, or as an engineer, of 3[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], 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 1[mechanically propelled vessel]. 4[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 (30 of 1978); (b) the expression "Indian Navy" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (10) of section 3 of the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957); (c) the expression "regular Army" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (xxi) of section 3 of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950); (2) A certificate of service so granted shall have the same effect as a certificate of competency granted under this Act after examination.
<span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(1) The State Government may, <sup>2</sup>[if it thinks fit], grant without examination to any person who has served as a master, or as an engineer, of <sup>3</sup>[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], 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 <sup>1</sup>[mechanically propelled vessel].<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> <sup>4</sup>[<i>Explanation</i>--For the purposes of this section,<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> (a) the expression "Coast Guard" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause <i>(d)</i> of section 2 of the Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978);<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> (b) the expression "Indian Navy" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause <i>(10)</i> of section 3 of the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957);<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> (c) the expression "regular Army" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause <i>(xxi)</i> of section 3 of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950);<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> (2) A certificate of service so granted shall have the same effect as a certificate of competency granted under this Act after examination.<br><br>