**Executive Summary**
This document, NT Exam Circular 04 of 2021 dated 10.08.2021, clarifies the requirements for medical certificates for the up-gradation and revalidation of Certificates of Competency (COC) & Certificates of Proficiency (COP). It addresses challenges faced by Indian nationals residing outside India and foreign nationals holding Indian COC due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Candidates residing outside India may submit certificates from Maritime Administration-approved Medical Practitioner in their current location.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background and Purpose:**
* The Directorate received requests to clarify medical certificate requirements for COC & COP up-gradation and revalidation.
* COVID-19 travel restrictions hinder Indian nationals abroad and foreign nationals with Indian COCs from obtaining certificates from D.G. Shipping-approved medical practitioners in India.
* **Medical Fitness Standards:**
* MS (STCW) Rule 2014, section 14(5)(b), requires candidates for COC & COP up-gradation and revalidation to meet medical fitness standards as per Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules 2000.
* **Alternate Medical Certificate Acceptance:**
* Candidates residing outside India and unable to travel to India may submit a medical fitness certificate from a Medical Practitioner approved by the Maritime Administration of their current location.
* **Documentary Evidence Requirement:**
* Candidates must provide documentary evidence of the Maritime Administration's approval of the Medical Practitioner.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Nationals Residing Outside India and Foreign Nationals Holding Indian COC**
* **Impact:** Eases the process for up-gradation and revalidation of COC & COP during COVID-19 travel restrictions, by allowing them to use approved local medical practitioners.
* **Action Required:** Provide a medical certificate from a Maritime Administration-approved Medical Practitioner in their location and documentary evidence of the Maritime Administration's approval.
Key Entities Referenced
COC & COP: Certificates of Competency (COC) and Certificates of Proficiency (COP) for seafarers
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: The issuing authority of the circular and responsible for matters related to shipping in India
MS (STCW) Rule 2014: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 2014, which specifies the standards for medical fitness for seafarers
Merchant Shipping(Medical Examination) Rules 2000: Rules prescribing the standards of medical fitness for seafarers
India: The geographical area to which the policy primarily applies, concerning medical certifications and travel restrictions.
भारतसरकार/ GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
ोत ररवहनमत्रं ालय /MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
नौवहनमहाबनदशे ालय, मुंबई
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
F. No: 7-NT (36)98-Vol-II Date: 10.08.2021
NT Exam Circular 04 of 2021
Sub.: Clarification regarding requirement of medical certificate for up gradation and
revalidation of COC & COP – reg.
1. The Directorate has received several requests to clarify the requirement of medical
certificate for up-gradation and revalidation of COC & COP. Due to on-going COVID-19
pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions imposed, Indian nationals residing outside India and
foreign Nationals holding Indian COC are unable to obtain medical fitness certificate from D.G
Shipping approved Medical Practitioners from India for the purpose of up-gradation and
revalidation of COC & COP.
2. Section 14(5) (b) of MS (STCW) Rule 2014 require candidates applying for up-gradation
and revalidation of COC & COP to meet standard of medical fitness as prescribed in Merchant
Shipping(Medical Examination) Rules 2000.
3. The matter has been examined at the Directorate and it is clarified that candidates, who are
residing outside India and unable to travel to India due to on-going travel restrictions, may submit
certificate of medical fitness certificate issued by a Medical Practitioner approved by the Maritime
Administration of the country they are located in.
4. Candidate needs to provide documentary evidence of the approval of the Medical
Practitioner by the Maritime Administration of the location.
5. This is issued with approval of the Chief Examiner of Master and Mates and the Nautical
Advisor to the Government of India (i/c).
(Capt. G. P. Shenoy)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech.)
.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
बीटा बब ल्ड ींग, 9वी मबंिल, आई थिंक टेक्न ो क् स,कािं रु गौव रोड,कािं रू माग ग( ूवग), मंबई – 400042
9th Floor,BETA Building, I-Think Techno Campus, Kanjur Village RoadKanjurmarg (E) / Mumbai –400042
फोन/Tel.: 91-22-25752040/1/2/3, फ्क्स /Fax.: 91-22-25752029/35 ई-मले /E-mail: dgship-dgs@nic.inवबे साईट/Website: www.dgshipping.gov.in