(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.