Central Government Notifies Rules for Marine Aids to Navigation Training and Certification

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued the Marine Aids to Navigation (Training and Certification) Rules, 2025, on June 17, 2025, which came into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette on June 18, 2025. These rules, enacted as delegated legislation, establish a comprehensive framework for the training and certification of personnel involved in marine aids to navigation and vessel traffic services across India. The issuance of these rules was undertaken in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 46 read with section 19 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021.

The process for establishing these rules commenced with the publication of a draft in December 2021, inviting objections and suggestions from the public. Following the stipulated period, no objections or suggestions were received by the Central Government, paving the way for the final notification of the rules. The legislation defines key terms such as "aids to navigation personnel" (individuals trained in marine aids to navigation and holding the prescribed certificate) and "vessel traffic service personnel" (individuals trained in maritime traffic management and holding the prescribed certificate). A central provision of the rules mandates that only certified personnel are to be deployed for the operation and maintenance of aids to navigation stations or vessel traffic service centres. The legislation provided: “Only such person who is trained and has been granted a certificate under sub-rule (1) shall be deployed for the operation and maintenance of aids to navigation station or vessel traffic service centre, as applicable.”

The Director General has been designated as the primary authority for all matters concerning training and certification in marine aids to navigation and vessel traffic services. The rules specify that accredited training organisations are responsible for issuing certificates upon successful completion of training courses, provided the personnel meet minimum qualification criteria set by the Director General and the courses align with standards, recommendations, guidelines, and model courses developed by the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (an intergovernmental body setting global standards for marine navigation). The Marine Navigation Training Institute, Kolkata, operating under the administrative control of the Director General, is identified as an accredited training organisation for this purpose, with the flexibility to conduct training at other locations with prior Central Government approval.

A rigorous approval process for training courses has been established, requiring accredited training organisations to apply to the Director General for approval, especially when adopting model courses from the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation. The Director General is empowered to conduct inspections for granting approval, which, once granted, remains valid for a period of five years. Copies of these approval certificates are also to be dispatched to the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation Secretariat for record-keeping and dissemination. Furthermore, the Director General is authorised to conduct audits to ensure compliance with training management systems, course documentation, record maintenance, and assessment procedures. In cases of identified non-conformity, a 30-day period is provided for rectification, failing which the course approval is deemed suspended. The rules also allow for the recognition of aid to navigation and vessel traffic service certificates granted by other member states of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation, subject to suitable reciprocal arrangements. A new requirement includes the issuance of a log book by the Director General to each vessel traffic service personnel for maintaining a record of their training and work experience, with entries made by the vessel traffic service provider. To ensure comprehensive oversight, local authorities and vessel traffic service providers are now required to furnish details of their deployed personnel and their training status to the Director General, who will maintain a central database of all aids to navigation and vessel traffic service personnel.

The legislative intent behind the Marine Aids to Navigation (Training and Certification) Rules, 2025, is to establish a robust and standardised framework for ensuring the competency of personnel critical to maritime safety and efficiency. Prior to these rules, while the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, provided the overarching legal structure, specific detailed provisions for training and certification were not fully articulated. These rules address this gap by introducing clear qualification criteria, structured training methodologies, and a formal certification process, aligning India's maritime practices with prevailing global technical standards and best practices as recommended by the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation. The policy rationale underscores the necessity of having highly skilled individuals operating and maintaining essential navigational aids (such as lighthouses and buoys) and vessel traffic services (maritime traffic management systems) to prevent accidents and ensure smooth maritime operations. The rules introduce new obligations for training institutions to seek approval and undergo audits, and for employers to maintain and report personnel training records, thereby enhancing accountability across the sector. The establishment of a central database and the log book system are enforcement mechanisms designed to ensure continuous monitoring of personnel qualifications and experience, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient maritime environment.

Keywords: Marine Aids to Navigation, Training, Certification, Vessel Traffic Services, India, Maritime Safety, Director General, Rules, 2025 Geo Tags: India District: Not Applicable