Section 55. Definitions.

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,--- (a) "Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance" means a declaration issued by the Central Government or by any officer, authority or organisation authorised by the Central Government in this behalf, in respect of a vessel that it meets with the requirements and standards set out in the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention; (b) "recruitment and placement service" means any person, company, institution, agency or other organisation, in public or private sector which is engaged in recruiting seafarers on behalf of employers or placing seafarers with the employers; (c) "ship owner" means the owner of the ship or any organisation or person, such as the manager, agent or bareboat charterer, who has assumed the responsibility for the operation of the ship from the owner and who, on assuming such responsibility, has agreed to take over the duties and responsibilities imposed on ship owners in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention, even if any other organisation or persons fulfil certain of the duties or responsibilities on behalf of the ship owner.