Basic awareness course for seafarers about seafarer awareness, FAQ, seafarer - 6th February 2025 - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways - Gazette Notification PDF

+tvr+ i*i)t l, ( ,.uIs tlr{fr S{6R/ GOVERNMENT Or tNDtA qa-a,fa qfoefa 3ih ililffFi d;nfrc/ MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPIN6 AND WATERWAYS +rf,dr6rfreerra-+, ge$ DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI F.No.2O- 16/ 2/2O24-TRG-DGS (Comp.No.3 19 171 Date:05.02.2O25 Training Circular No.O3 of 2O25 Subiect: Basic awareness course for seafarers about seafarer awareness. FAQ, seafarer grievances, seafarer hts and safe & secure seafaring etc.- reg 1. Whereas, the Directorate has issued Training Circular No.26 of 2O2O dated Ol .O7 .2O2O on Guidelines for Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) 2. Whereas, the Government of India has promulgated Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2005 vide notification No. G.S.R.182 (E) dated i8.3.2005, which was further amended by notification No.G.S.R. 58O dated 14th September 2005. These rules provide a mechanism of protection for lndian Seafarers working on Indian and Foreign Flag Vessels and the necessary safeguards for their repatriation in the event ol their being stranded, or during such other exigencies, when the ship owner lails to discharge the duty of repatriating the seafarers to the home port of the seaman. The said rules also provide a mechanism for necessary registration ol the manning agents (agents for lndian and Foreign Flag Vessels). 3. Whereas, the Directorate General of Shipping has been inundated with complaints from seafarers and their families about fraudulent activities by agents posing as authorized agents of DG Shipping approved Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) agencies. These unscrupulous agents are deceiving candidates by taking money for training courses with promises of securing placements onboard. This unethical behaviour not only damages the reputation ol legitimate RPS agencies but also puts aspiring seafarers at risk of financial exploitation. 4. Whereas, it is imperative for the Directorate to take swift action to address these grievances and hold these fraudulent agents accountable for their actions and further, seafarers and their families are to be made aware of the warning signs of fraudulent activities and be encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities. It is required that these dishonest practices are curbed to protect the interests and well- being of seafarers and +4 ffirr, 9A {ft-q, qT* Ff{' i# *fi+, T;rq, FFt (rr{), d- 4oo 042 Beta Ruilding,9'h Flr.. l-ThinkTechno Campus, Kanjur Marg(E)/ Nlumbai -42 +i4/-I"r., s r -z:-2szs2orolt n6, tfl/t,ar r c t -zz-zs;szo:slrs {-tflE-nrail : dsgi!:!Ege!,ig!r i{Ifffu /websncr ry}.tL!.$!j[pi!ar!Uoensure a fair and transparent recruitment process exists in the maritime industry. 5. It is essential to provide proper guidance and support to the budding seafarers who are considering a career in the maritime industry. This includes educating them not to pay money for seekingjobs and avoid approaching any agents or manpower consultant companies seeking job placements. Also, educate them about their rights, responsibilities and the resources available to them if they encounter any suspicious activities or unethical behavior by agents. 6. Further, the seafaring profession comes with its own set of challenges, such as the risk of abandonment, handling mental health & well-being issues, dissertation by ship's crew, man over board cases, missing sealarers from vessel, onboard deaths, arrest ofvessel or vessels crew etc., and seafarers are required to be aware of their rights and actions they need to take to safeguard themselves their fellow seafarers and the vessel. 7. In light of the above, the Directorate hereby mandates mandatory one- time basic familiarization course for all seafarers educating them to avoid agents for job placements on vessels, their rights, responsibilities and the resources available to them if they encounter any suspicious activities or unethical behaviour by agents, their rights and actions they need to take to safeguard themselves their fellow seafarers and the vessel for maritime risks such as vessel abandonment's, handling mental health & well-being issues, dissertation by vessels crew, man over board cases, missing seafarers from vessel, onboard deaths, arrest of vessel or vessels crew etc. 8. All DG Shipping approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) conducting PSSR under basic 5 STCW courses and RUTC courses for Engineers & Nautical officers are hereby directed to conduct the said basic familiarization course for all seafarers about seafarer awareness, contact points, FAQ, seafarer grievances, seafarer rights and safe & secure seafaring etc. by preparing necessary lesson plans as per the enclosed course outline. 9. The course would educate aspiring seafarers about safe seafaring practices, secure career planning, and their rights at sea, FAQs and awareness videos to enhance their understanding and help them make informed decisions about pursuing a career in the merchant navy and empower aspiring seafarers to recognize red flags when deaiing with unauthorized colleges and fraudulent agents, reducing the risk of falling victim to scams. 10. Purther, this initiative aligns with the goal o[ raising awareness and providing guidance to seafarers, warning signs of abandonment, being alert on vessels, reaching officials promptly to resolve grievances and thereby contributing to be a more informed and prepared workforce in the maritime sector. 2of411. The said course module of'basic awareness course for seafarers" and shall be conducted by MTI for following seafarers; 1.I I Course content shall be included along with PSSR course for all freshers (candidates / potential seafarers) doing 5 basic STCW courses. I I .2. Course content shall be included lor all Nautical and Engineering ofhcers doing their RUTC course for revalidating their CoCs. 12. RPS agencies shall ensure that all freshers / first time seafarers or cadets or trainee seafarers being placed onboard have mandatorily completed the said course and same to be verified by RPS agencies for the respective seafarers training records and records to be maintained. The same shall be verified during the annual audits / surprise inspections or CIP audits by the inspecting authorities. 13. In view of the inclusion of this 02 hours of Basic Awareness course in the existing PSSR come, the course will be for 26 hours (4 days), which wiil be in partial modification of the course outline given in DGS Circular No. 26 of 2O2O dated 0l .07.2020. 14. The compliance of this circular by RPS agencies and conduct of the course by MTI will be verified by authorities during audits / inspections. 15. This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping. y( (Deependra Bisen) Dy. Director General of Shipping ing) To l. All Maritime Training Institutes 2. All Principal Officers, MMD 3. NT, Engineering Wing 4. IT & E-gov. Branch. 3of4Course Outline: Sr. No. Subject area No. of fI ours 1.0 MS Act 1958 - Maritme Labour Convention Provisions o.5 . 1 Overview . 2 MS RPS Rules, 2016 o J MS Maritime Labour Rules, 2016 2.O Seafarer Grievances, FAQ, Safe Secure Career & Sea 1.5 farer rights 2.1 Contacts for seafarer grievances 2.2 Onboard Compliant Mechanisrn 2.3 FAQ for seafarers AQ for seafarers 2.4 Safe seafaring & secure career planning 2.5 Seafarers rights at sea May utili-z,e the contents / reference mateial auailable in DG Ship ping website in the follotuing link: https: / / deshippins.gov. in / Content/ NoticetoalSeafarersS takehol ders.aspx Total 2.O 4of4