**Executive Summary**
DGS Order No. 02 of 2022, dated January 14, 2022, consolidates previous orders and re-issues measures for conducting maritime training during the third COVID-19 wave. It outlines guidelines for Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) and seafarers regarding course operation, capacity, and COVID-19 safety protocols. Key provisions address capacity limitations, practical training requirements, and certificate validity.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Course Conduct and Modalities:**
* Theoretical classes in both pre-sea and post-sea MTIs to continue via Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions.
* Reinstates DGS Order 17 of 2021 for conducting short-term courses by MTIs in lockdown areas.
* MTIs in non-lockdown areas must complete all courses detailed in DGS Order 17 of 2021, except as per the restrictions on practical training and hospital visits.
* **Capacity Restrictions:**
* Post-Sea and Pre-Sea MTIs to operate at 50% capacity for all courses involving practicals, including simulator courses, contingent on no total closure order by the State Government.
* Pre-Sea MTIs operating at 100% capacity must transition to 50% capacity within four days, adhering to precautions in DGS Order 28 of 2020 and modified by DGS Order 32 of 2021.
* **Practical Training & Certification:**
* No entry into water or hospital visits for practical training is allowed for courses detailed in DGS Order 40 of 2020, regardless of MTI location. Only Part A of the CoP valid for 18 months will be issued.
* Practical training not permitted for candidates previously issued Part A of CoP seeking Part B issuance. No batch detail uploading for Part B issuance is allowed two days post-order.
* All short-duration courses are to be conducted with practicals, and 18-Month CoPs are not permitted. Post-sea MTIs can conduct practicals for these courses (excluding simulator courses) at 50% capacity. Simulator courses are permitted at 100% capacity.
* Students are to be called for practicals only after completion of theoretical virtual sessions.
* **COVID-19 Protocols:**
* All Pre-Sea and Post-Sea MTIs must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines issued by Local Authorities/State Government/Central Government, whichever is more stringent.
* Candidates joining pre-sea MTIs must provide a negative RT-PCR test (within 72 hours) and undergo a 7-day quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)**
* **Impact:** MTIs must adjust operations to comply with capacity restrictions, training modalities, and COVID-19 protocols. They face limitations on practical training involving water or hospital visits.
* **Action Required:** Implement 50% capacity limits where applicable, adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, and modify training programs to comply with restrictions on practical training and certification.
**Stakeholder: Seafarers/Trainees**
* **Impact:** Seafarers and trainees are affected by changes in training course availability, duration, and certification validity. They may experience delays in completing practical training and obtaining full-term certificates. Pre-sea candidates will need to take an RT-PCR test and quarantine on arrival.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of course changes, adjust training plans accordingly, and comply with COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): The primary regulatory body issuing orders regarding maritime training in India, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs): Institutions providing maritime training that are subject to the capacity restrictions and SOPs outlined in the DGS orders.
STCW Convention 1978: International convention setting standards for seafarer training, certification, and watchkeeping, influencing DGS's approach to maintaining compliance during the pandemic.
DGS Order 28 of 2020: A key order concerning the re-opening of Maritime Training Institutes, frequently referenced and modified in subsequent orders related to COVID-19.
COVID-19: The pandemic that triggered the policy changes and training adaptations described in the document.
ffi
7r*ry
J'll':]',
i,i tur:l
''11U"
:, lstrl{tirl snqrti-r
)<, rmfr Itf6R / GOVERXI{E T OF INDIA 3{q-d rr6^rd-d
Ttr{ qrd cRr€c olt( qd{Ff {ilmq
' h'F n!-_
INISIRY OF rcRTS, SHIPPING At{D IYAIERIYAYS
IH
+116{ TtrRenreq,
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
Fir No 20-16 I 4 12020-Olo TRG- DGS Date 14.01.2022
DGS Order No. 02 of 2022
Sub: - Conduct of Trainine durine Third COVID Wave: Consolidation of all
Orders & Re-issuance of Measures during Third Wave
l.
Whereas the COVID Pandemic hit India and the World and all training was
closed down due to lock down and to save lives with effect ftom March 2020.
2. However, to ensure that neither seafarer jobs and nor continuity of shipprng
services due to inability to meet required safe rnanning are irnpacted, the Directorate
ensured continued validity of seafarer certificates 6 rnonths beyond expiry date as
pennitted by Force Majeure clause of STCW Convention 1978 as arnended.
3.
However, to ensure cornpliance with the STCW Convention and at the same
time conduct of rnandatory course which are required to be completed before a
seafarer joins ship, the Directorate issued following orders:
3.1. DGS Training Circular 19 of 2020 dated 18.05.2020: Conduct of maritime
courses using Virtual classes / Live Video sessiotts
3.1.1.
This perrnitted conduct oftheory part of long duration courses and
Competence courses (required for appearing for competence examinations) to
be conducted via Virtual Classes/Live Vide Sessions.
3,1.2. Since the long duration pre-sea courses majorly cornprises of
theory and practical, it was also allowed that practical part of these courses
can be cornpleted after a candidate completes his necessary sea service for
appearing for cornpetence examinations.
Page 1 of 9
-
td
sff {Ff,, ft-cr i{ftEnr, qri Pi6 +q{, 6tg{ t=, otgtmf (T{) :i+{- aooo+z
gth Floor, BETA Building, l-Think Techno Campus, Kaniur Village Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai-400042
frdrrel No.: +9'1-22-2SZS ZO+OlttZg ffA tF aL-. +91-2-2575 2ozSB5 {+d/E^rrt, dgshpdgs@nic'h affi{a/websits: wwwdgshipFing.gov in3.2.
DGSOrder20 of2020dated03.08.2020: ConductofTrainingcourses
for issuance of CoPs during the period of COVID- I 9 pandemic
3.2,1.
After ensuring necessary digitization in place, the Directorate via
this Order permitted certain short duration courses to be conducted via three
tier training rnethodology cornprising of Virtual Classes/live Video Sessions,
E-Learning and an Exit Examination.
3.2.2.
The above ensured continued validity of rnandatory short duration
courses mandatorily required by seafarer prior joining ship and at the same
tirne cornplying with the STCW Convention, as f'ar as possible
3.2.3. These courses included: Refresher in Personal Survival
Techniques, Refresher in Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats,
Refresher in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Refresher in Advanced Fire
Fighting, Refresher in Medical First Aid, Revalidation Course for Engineers,
Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Familiarization Course, Basic Training Course
for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations, Advanced Oil Tanker Course:
Advanced Chernical Tanker Course, Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo
Operations Course, Security Training for seafarers with designated security
duties and Ship security officers course.
3.2,4.
Since many courses had a practical elernent, to ensure cornpliance
with the STCW Convention, only those seafarers demonstrating continued
professional competence through approved sea service were permitted to be
enrolled in these courses and complete the same and get a CoP valid for 18-
months (PST/PSCRB/FPFF/AFF/MFA) pending completion of practical part
ofthe course.
3.3.
DGS Order 24 of 2020 dated 24.08.2020: Availability of courses lbr
Seafarers including trainee seafarers at Maritime Training Institutes during the
period of COVID-I9 pandernic:
3.3.1. It rnodified DGS Order 20 of 2020 and permitted all seafarer
including to complete courses required for thern to join ship through the Three
Tier Training Methodology of Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions, E-
Learning and Exit Exarn.
Page 2 of 93.3.2.
The above-mentioned courses are: Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker
Farniliarization Course, Basic Training Course for Liquefied Gas Tanker
Cargo Operations; Advanced Oil Tanker Course; Advanced Chemical Tanker
Course; Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations Course & Security
Training for seafarers with desig'nated security duties.
3.3.3. It also permitted conduct of additional coruses such as Indian
Maritime Legislation Course & Cornpany Security Officer Course on Three
Tier Training Methodology of Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions, E-
Learning and Exit Exarn.
3.4. DGS Order 28 of 2020 dated 01.10.2020: Re-Opening of Maritirne
Training Institutes for Practical Training under Controlled Conditions: As the
COVID-I9 pandemic situation eased up with re-opening of Country, the
Directorate permitted re-opening of Pre and Post Sea MTI urder controlled
conditions with following key requirernents:
3.4.1.
All theoretical classes to be continued through Virtual Classes/Live
Video Sessions even for those students/seafarers who are in catnpus or
attending short tenn courses practical.
3.4.2. The number of students to be pennitted in the Pre-Sea MTI campus
at any point of tirne shall be based on infrastructure/hostel facility or l/3'd of
batch strength, whichever is less. There were also certain quarantine
requirements irnposed after a student joined these pre seas MTI along with
other restrictions on hair cutting saloon, gymnasium etc.
3.4.3.
Post Sea MTI were allowed to conduct practicals per day for only
those nurnber of students of a particular course or different courses as
calculated based on l/3'd of the students per batch from all courses being
conducted every day under normal situation or the number of students based
on an assessrnent detailed in the order, whichever is less. Further these post sea
MTIs were allowed to conduct practical training for only those
students/seafarers who have completed the theoretical portion of the stated
course for which practical were being conducted.
Page 3 of 93.4.4.
MTI's both pre and post were pennifted to conduct practical classes'
l2-hrs a day including Saturday and Sunday and in single or two shifts. MTI
were directed to ensure that no practical, which is ursafe or involve
demonstration inside rnock-up/on a waterfront were conducted after it is dark
and with proper cleaning and sanitization of laboratory/workshop and
equiprnent between two shifts. No practical involving entry into water of
swirnnring pool was permitted.
3.5. Merchant Shipping Notice No. 13 of 2020 dated 04.11.2020:
Clarification regarding refresher courses for Medical First Aid and Medical Care:
This notice clarified that there was no requirernent under the STCW Convention
to have refresher courses conducted every 5-years for Medical First Aid and
Medical Care Courses and refresher for these courses are required to conducted
by only those seafarers who employed in cornpanies insisting on refresher every
-years.
5
3.6.
DGS Order 36 of 2020-dated 05.11.2020: Addendurn 4 to DGS Order
No. 20 of 2020: This Order pennitted conduct of Refresher Course in Medical Care
via Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions.
3.7.
DGSOrder38of2020dated l2.ll.2020.Addendurn-lto DGSOrder
No. 28 of2020:
3.7.1.
It listed about 65 Short Duration courses including the methodology
of conduct of these courses, that is, Single Tier, Two Tier or Three Tier training
rnethodology.
3.7.2.
It also detailed as to which course require practical, or the courses
requiring entry into water of a water body or a visit to hospital.
3.7.3.
It gives a clear idea as to which courses cornpletion certificate/CoP
will be issued with unlimited validity or un-limited validity subject to 5-Years
refresher training or l8-Months validity (subject to cornpletion of
practical/practical involving entry in water or visit to hospital).
3.7.4.
lt permitted conduct of Basic Safety Courses without practical.
Page 4 of93.7.5. It shifted competency courses permitted to be conducted only vra
Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions vide Training Circular 19 of 2020 to
Three Tier Methodology of Training
3.8. DGS Order 40 of 2020 dated 17.12.2020: Addendum No. 2 to DGS
Order 28 of 2020 dated 01.10.2020 with respect to conduct of Maritime Training
Courses:
3.8.1. This Order benefitted the Maritirne Comtnunity in following ways:
It enhanced the list of 65 courses detailed in DGS Order 38 of 2020 to 80
courses and also changed rnethodology ofconduct ofcertain courses frotn two
tier to three tier as the E-Learning/Exit Exam for these courses were developed.
3.9. NT/Exam Circular 02 of 2020-dated 03.01.2021: Clarification
regarding cornpletion of GMDSS course for nautical discipline oral examinations:
This Notice clarified that there was no requirement for a candidate appearing for
Nautical Grade Cornpetence Oral Examination to have GMDSS Certificate and it
was required prior issuance of CoC.
lll
3.10. DGS Order 02 of 2021 dated 08.0I.2021: Addendum to DGS
Order 28 of 2020 dated 0I.10.2020: Cornpletion of part held courses vide DGS
order No. 2 of2020 dated 16.03.2020: The covlD l9 scare ofearly 2020 has led
to closure of all Pre-Sea and Post Sea MTI and many candidates were left stranded
with incomplete short duration courses of up to l0 days duration. Via this Order,
the Directorate perrnitted cotnpletion of those courses.
3.11. DGS Order 13 of 2021 dated 18.03.2021: Addendum IV to DGS
Order 28 of 2020: Re-opening of Maritime Training lnstitute for practical under
controlled conditions and further relaxation in the issued SOP for Pre-Sea and Post
Sea: Due to further relaxation in the lock-down, following modifications were
carried out on DGS Order 28 of 2020 to re-start cornplete training:
3.ll.l. Pre-Sea Courses were perrnitted to operate with 100% strenglh under
certain conditions.
3.11.2. Post-Sea MTIs were pennitted to operate with 50% capacity for
Practicals for all courses other than sitnulator courses, while the sirnulator
courses were permitted with 100% capacity.
Page 5 of 93.t 1.3. All practical requiring entry into water body including swimming
pool were pennitted.
3.11.4. With effect frorn 04.04.2020, all short duration courses such as BST,
Refresher in PST/PSCRB etc. except Medical Care were directed to be
cornpleted in entirety including practical and with Three Tier Training
Methodology. Medical Care Course was only pennitted to be conducted
without visit to Hospital and issuance of l8 Months CoP.
3.11.5. The Candidates who were earlier issued l8 Months CoP (except
those with Medical Care CoP of l8 Months) pending completion of Practicals.
were perrnitted to complete Practicals and get CoP extended to 5 Years.
3.12.
DGS Order 14 of 2021 dated 05.04.2021: Deferment of DGS order
13 0f2021 dated 18.03.202 I till further order: Taking into account situation
developed by the Second Wave of COVID-I9, the said Order l3 of 202 I was
delerred till further Orders.
3.13. DGS Order 17 oI 2021 dated 01.05.2021: Addendum-V to DGS
Order No. 28 of 2020 dated 01.10.2020 with respect to conduct of rnaritirne
training course:
3.13.1. As the second COVID-19 Wave hit Indian with subsequent lock down
in various states, the Directorate re-started conduct of certain courses without
practical particularly by those MTI located in lock down areas.
3.13.2. The Directorate re-introduced Part A and Part B of the Digitized CoP
with 18 Months and then extended to 5-Year validity for these courses.
3.13.3. The Courses permitted were: Basic Safety Course, Personal Survival
Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft
and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boat, Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat,
Advanced Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid. Medical Care, Refresher in
Personal Survival Techniques, Refiesher in Proficiency in Survival Craft and
Rescue Boat apart from Fast Rescue Boats, Refresher in Fire Prevention and
Fire Fighting, Refresher in Advanced Fire Fighting, Refresher in Proficiency
in Fast Rescue Boat, Refresher & Updating Course in Medical First Aid,
Refresher& Updating Course in Medical Care,
Page 6 of93.14. Merchant Shipping Notice 04 of 2021 dated 15.07.2021:
Clarification regarding Liquid Cargo Handling sirnulator course for issue of
Managernent level DCE (Advanced oil DCE) for ofiicers of nautical discipline:
This Notice informs that the Liquid Cargo Handling Sirnulator Course (LCHS)
shall not be considered a nrandatory requirement till 3l .12.2022 for issuance of l8
Months CoP in Advanced Training for Oil Tanker cargo operations and on
completion of the LCHS course, the full tenn certificate for 5 years will be issued
3.15.
DGS Order 32 of 2021 dated 22.10.2021: Addendum - Vl to DGS
Order 28 of 20202 Re-Opening of Maritime Training Institutes under controlled
conditions and firther relaxation in the issued SOP for Pre-Sea and Post-Sea: This
basically re-instated DGS Order 13 of 2021 permitting pre-sea MTIs to operate
with 100% capacity and post-sea MTI to operate with 50% capacity for Practical
courses other than Sirnulator Courses, for which they were permitted to operate
with 100% capacity. Further, all training with effect fron 26.10 .2021 was required
to be conducted with practical including Medical Care course.
4.
Taking into account various DGS Order, the Maritime Training is being
conducted at present is as follows:
4.1.
DGS Order 20 of 2020 as amended by DGS Order 28 of 2020 and
further amended by DGS Order 32 ol 2021: With effect from 26.10.2021. all
Short Duration Courses are being conducted with Practicals and no l8-Month CoP
is pennitted. Further, the post sea-MTIs can only conduct practical for these short-
term corlrses, other than sirnulator courses, with 50% capacity. The simulator
courses, however, 100% capacity is being pennitted. The students are to be called
for practical only after cornpletion of theoretical Virtual classes/Live Video
Sessions.
4.2.
Merchant Shipping Notice 04 of 202l-dated 15.07.2021: The LCHS
Simulator course is not mandatory for issuance of Advanced CoP in Oil Tanker
Cargo Operations till 3 I .12.2022.
4.3. DGS Order 28 of 2020 and modifi ed via DGS Order 32 of 2021 : Pre-Sea MTIs
are being operated with 100% capacity under controlled conditions as specified in
DGS Order 28 of 2020 and rnodified via DGS Order 32 of 2021
.
Page 7 of 94.4.
Theoretical Classes are being conducted in both pre and post Sea MTIs
via Virtual Classes/Live Video Sessions.
5.
Whereas, now with on-set of third COVID-I9 wave, rnany States have
imposed requirerrents for people's safeguard, which includes closure of all
Educational Institutes, operating gyrnnasiurn, hair cutting saloon etc. with restricted
capacity and other measures.
6.
Taking all the above into consideration, the Directorate has decided to
impose following measures till further Orders:
6.1. All the Pre-Sea and Post-Sea MTIs are required to abide by the
applicable guidelines in relation to COVID issued by Local Authorities/State
Government /Central Government or below mentioned directions, whichever is
more stringent.
6.2.
All Post-Sea and Pre-Sea MTIs to operate with only 507o capacity for
all courses having Practicals, including that for Simulator Courses provided the
State Government of the place of location has not ordered total closure of
Educational Institutes.
6.3.
No entry into water or a visit to hospital is pennitted for cornpletion of
practical training for those courses which have these elements as detailed in DGS
Order 40 of2020, and whether conducted by any MTI located in lock down or non-
lock down areas and only Part A of the CoP valid for 18 Months shall be issued
for all such courses. This part ofpractical is also not pennitted for those candidates
who have earlier being issued Part A of CoP and now intend to complete practical
for issuance of Part B. No batch detail uploading for issuance of Part B for such
courses is pennitted Ilom two days after the issuance of this Order.
6.4.
Pre-Sea MTI operating with 100% capacity will, within four days,
ensure that the MTI is operational only with 50% capacity, with all precautions as
specified in DGS Order 28 of 2020 and modified via DGS Order 32 of 2021
.
6.5. All MTIs Conducting short tenn courses or Post Sea MTIs shall
operate, sirnilarly, under controlled condition as detailed in DGS Order 28 of 2020
and as rnodified by DGS Order 32 of 2021.
Page 8 of 96.6.
Reinstaternent of DGS Order 17 of 2021 for conduct of Short-Terrn
Courses by MTIs located in lock down areas.
6.7.
MTIs located in the Non-lock down areas have to complete all the
courses detailed in DGS Order l7 of 2021 in entirety expect as per para 6.3 above.
6.8. The Candidates joining the pre-sea MTIs should have a negative RT-
PCR test report, conducted within 72 hours before joining, irrespective of whether
they are fully vaccinated or not, and must undergo 7 days quarantine period at the
MTI.
(
t^f,t
L
(Amitabh Kurnar) It+
Director General of Shipping &
Additional Secretary to the GOI
Page 9 of 9