**Executive Summary**
This DGS Circular No. 22 of 2021, dated 29.07.2021, serves as an addendum to DGS Training Circular No. 6 of 2020. It amends entry standards for advanced tanker training courses, addressing seafarers without required sea time. The circular comes into effect immediately.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose:**
* Amends entry standards for advanced tanker training courses.
* Addresses the issue of seafarers lacking the minimum required sea-time under STCW regulations.
* **Entry Standards Amendment:**
* Candidates seeking only an Advanced Tanker Course Completion Certificate can enter the advanced course with a DGS-approved Basic Tanker Course, instead of the entry standards specified in Section 4 of DGS Training Circular No. 06 of 2020.
* Candidates with a Basic Tanker course, but no sea time in the respective type of tanker, can attend advanced training if they desire or if required by their company.
* These candidates are eligible for the issuance of a digital certificate upon completion of a 3-Tier system of learning.
* **Certificate Requirements:**
* Candidates without 3 months of sea time on the tanker vessel will not be eligible for an Advanced Tanker Endorsement or CoP.
* No CoP for advanced training shall be issued to seafarers without a Certificate of Competency.
* **Course-in-charge Qualifications:**
* Section 10.1 of Training Circular 6 of 2020 amended: Qualifications and experience of Course-in-charge will now read "Certificate of Competency as Master (FG) OR MEO Class I (FG), issued or recognized by the Government of India".
* **Implementation:**
* The circular comes into force with immediate effect.
**Impact Analysis**
**All Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)**
* **Impact:** The amendment in entry requirements changes the eligibility criteria for candidates applying for advanced tanker training courses. It affects the admissions process and the type of candidates accepted into these programs.
* **Action Required:** Adjust admission procedures to reflect the new entry standards. Inform potential candidates about the updated requirements for advanced tanker training courses.
**Seafarers/Candidates**
* **Impact:** Broadens access to advanced training courses for seafarers who lack the required sea-time, but possess a basic tanker course certificate. This allows them to upgrade their skills.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of the revised entry standards to enroll in advanced training courses. Understand the requirements for obtaining an Advanced Tanker Endorsement or CoP, which still requires sea time.
**Principal Officers, MMD, Mumbai/Chennai/ Kolkata/ Kochi/ Kandla
Engineering Branch & Nautical Branch, DGS, GOI.**
* **Impact:** Amendment in the Course-in-charge qualifications require revision.
* **Action Required:** Take account of the changes to the qualifications and experience of Course-in-charge.
Key Entities Referenced
DGS Training Circular No. 06 of 2020: A circular issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) prescribing guidelines for advanced tanker training.
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention): An international convention that establishes minimum standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): The primary authority for maritime affairs in India, responsible for issuing training circulars and regulating maritime training institutes.
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MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
File No: 20-ll0l l/1812020-TRG - DGS Dated:29.07.2021
DGS Circular No. 22 of 2021
Sub.: Addendum to DGS Trainins Circular no. 6 of 2020.
1. Whereas the Intemational Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW
Convention) requires Maritime Administration to control, monitor and supervise
the Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) approved for conducting the maritime
courses.
2.
Whereas the STCW Convention also requires Maritime Administration to
approve the maritime courses conducted by the MTIs.
3.
Whereas the STCW Convention additionally requires that the seafarers /
candidates are imparted training and assessed for the stated competency.
4.
Whereas the Directorate had issued DGS Training Circular No. 06 of 2020
dated 18.02.2020 prescribing guidelines for Advanced Training for Oil Tanker
Cargo Operations, Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations and
Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations.
5.
Whereas the above mentioned Training Circular had specified the entry
standards in para 4 of the Guidelines for the respective tanker operation, which
includes mandatory sea going service on the tankers within last 60 months or at
least one rnonth onboard training on the tanker in the supervisory capacity which
includes at least three loading and three unloading operations and is documented in
an approved advance training for the tanker cargo operations.
6.
Whereas STCW Convention paragraph 4.2 of Regulation V/l-1, paragraph
6.2 of Regulation V/l-1, and paragraph 4.2 of Regularion Yll-2 mandates
rninimum sea-time requirements of candidates for certificates in Advanced
Training for Oil Tanker Cargo operation, Advanced Training lor Chemical Tanker
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respectively, for issuance of Dangerous Cargo Endorsement (DCE).
7.
Whereas the Directorate has received requests from many seafarers who do
not possess the minimum required sea-time as per STCW 1978 as amended,
Regulation V/l - I, paragraph 4.2, Regulation V/l- 1, paragraph 6.2, and Regulation
Yll-2, paragraph 4.2, but are willing to obtain certificate in Advanced Training for
Oil Tanker Cargo operation, Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo
operation & Advanced Training for Liquified Gas Tanker Cargo operation
respectively.
8.
Whereas the aforementioned seafarers are predominantly those who have not
sailed in the type of vessel mentioned above, nor involved in loading /discharge
operations in tankers without going on-board but they requested to undergo the
course for upgrading their knowledge only and will not be eligible to hold DCE
certificate till they comply with the required sea service.
9.
The Directorate has had discussions with alt the stakeholders and decided to
amend the entry standards of DCS Training Circular No 06 of 2020 dated
18.02.2020 in the interest of all:
9.1 If a candidate requires only Advanced Tanker Course Completion
Certificate (i.e. they do not intend to apply for an Advanced Tanker Endorsement
or (CoP), then in lieu of the ENTRY STANDARDS specified in Section 4 of the
Guidelines in "Training Circular No. 06 of 2020" dated 18.02.2020, possession of
DGS approved Basic Tanker Course will permit entry into the respective
Advanced course.
9.2
All candidates who have completed a Basic Tanker course, but are not in
possession of any sea time in respective type of tanker are also permitted to attend
advanced training course, if they desire to attend the course or is required by any
Company.
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These candidates will be eligible for issuance of digital certificate upon
successful completion of 3-Tier system of leaming.
9.4
candidates without 3 months sea time on the above mention tanker vessel as
per the requirements of STCW 78, as amended, wiil not be eligible for issuance of
Advanced Tanker Endorsement or Cop.
Page l2g.5 No CoP for advanced training shall be issued to seafarer without a
Certificate of CompetencY.
10. Whereas, as per section l0.l of the Training circular 6 of 2020, the
qualifications and experience of Course-in-charge reads Certificate of Competency
as Master (FG) issued or recognized by the Government of India would be
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replaced as "Ceftificate of Competency as Master (FG) OR MEO Class (FG),
isiued or recognized by the Government of India as stated in section 10.2 of the
circular. All other clauses remain unaltered'
I l. This training circular comes into force with immediate effect.
tZ. This circular is issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping,
and Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
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(Dr. Raut Pandurang K.)
Deputy Director General (Training)
To,
All Maritime Training Institutes
Principal Officers, MMD, MumbaiiChennai/ Kolkata/ Kochi/ Kandla
Engineering Branch & Nautical Branch, DGS, GOI.
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