54. Requisitioning of aircrafts and calling out of flight crew for air search and rescue operations

The Minister or any person authorized in that behalf by the Minister may at any time, in order to facilitate any air search or rescue operations, requisition any civil aircraft from its owner or operator, as the case may be, and also call out for services of any person whose services may become essential to assist in such air search or rescue operations.

Compensation in respect of requisition of any aircraft and payment to persons whose services were called out for under subsection (1), shall be payable at such rate as may be determined by the Minister, in consultation with the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.

Where any air search and rescue operations are undertaken by the State in connection with any occurrence which was caused by the negligent or other unlawful act or omission of any person, the Minister may recover from such person the whole or any portion of the expenses incurred by the State in connection with such operations, notwithstanding the fact that the aircraft concerned is a foreign aircraft and the services in question were rendered elsewhere than within the territory of the Republic of

Any person who without lawful reason refuses or fails to comply with any order or instruction made or given under subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence.