653.—(1) A general lighthouse authority may, within their area, with the sanction of the Board of Trade, and after giving due notice of their intention, direct a local lighthouse authority to lay down buoys, or to remove or discontinue any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, or to make any variation in the character of any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, or in the mode of exhibiting lights in any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon.

(2) A local lighthouse authority shall not erect or place any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, or remove or discontinue any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, or vary the character of any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, or the mode of exhibiting lights in any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, without the sanction of the general lighthouse authority.

(3) If a local lighthouse authority having power to erect, place, or maintain any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, at any place within a lighthouse area, fail to do so, or fail to comply with the direction of a general lighthouse authority under this section with respect to any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, Her Majesty may, on the application of the general lighthouse authority, by Order in Council, transfer any powers of the local lighthouse authority with respect to that lighthouse, buoy, or beacon, including the power of levying dues, to the general lighthouse authority.

(4) On the making of any Order in Council under this section, the powers transferred shall be vested in the general lighthouse authority to whom they are transferred, and the lighthouse, buoy, or beacon in respect of which the Order is made, and the dues leviable in respect thereof, shall respectively be subject to the same provisions as those to which a lighthouse, buoy, or beacon provided by that general lighthouse authority under this Part of this Act, and the light dues leviable under this Part of this Act are subject.

(5) Nothing in this section shall apply to local buoys and beacons placed or erected for temporary purposes.