¹[176A. Ships to possess Maritime Labour Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.--(1) All ships of five hundred tons gross or more and engaged in international voyage or operating from a port, or between ports, in another country, shall possess a Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.
     (2) Ships not covered under sub-section (1) shall, unless, exempted by the Central Government, possess such certificate in such manner and form, as may be prescribed.
     (3) The shipping master, surveyor, seamen's welfare officer, port health officer, Indian consular officer, or any other officer at any port duly authorised in this behalf by the Central Government, may inspect any ship, in such manner as may be prescribed, and the master of the ship or any person having charge over the ship shall make available to such inspecting officer, the Maritime Labour Certificate and the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.]