**Executive Summary**
This DGS Circular No. 08 of 2022, dated April 7, 2022, concerns the arrangement for the third/booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers. It emphasizes the importance of vaccinating seafarers to maintain the global supply chain and facilitate crew changes, in accordance with guidelines from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Indian seafarers who have completed 39 weeks after their second dose are strongly advised to take the third/booster dose before signing on to ships.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background and Justification:**
* Refers to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare guidelines (dated 27.12.2021) regarding booster doses, which can be availed 39 weeks after the second dose for Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers(FLWs) & 60+ population with comorbidity.
* Recognizes the essential role of shipping and seafarers in maintaining the global supply chain and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Highlights that shipping services are already defined as essential service in India under the “Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968.
* **Seafarer Designation and Crew Changes:**
* Seafarers are recognized as "Key Workers," and crew changes are permitted in Indian ports since the beginning of the pandemic.
* References Ministry of Home Affairs orders allowing movement of persons for sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers at Indian ports, following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
* The Directorate has facilitated controlled crew changes for Indian and foreign seafarers, aiming to prevent contamination between ship and shore.
* **Vaccination Recommendations:**
* Based on UN resolutions (IMO, ICAO, ILO), seafarers are designated as "Key Workers," providing an essential service.
* Seafarers are strongly advised to get the 3rd/Booster dose before signing on the ship from nearby COVID vaccination centers.
* In the interest of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted supply chain, they are required to get the booster dose before joining the ship.
* Indian seafarers who have completed 39 weeks from the second dose are strongly advised to take the 3rd dose/booster dose.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Seafarers**
* **Impact:** Encouraged and strongly advised to receive the 3rd/booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
* **Action Required:** Seafarers who have completed 39 weeks since their second dose are strongly advised to take the 3rd dose/booster dose before signing on to ships.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for prescribing and maintaining detailed protocols (SOPs) for crew changes.
* **Action Required:** Disseminate the circular to all stakeholders through the DG Shipping Website.
**Stakeholder: Shipping Companies/Employers**
* **Impact:** Expected to facilitate vaccination of seafarers before sign-on.
* **Action Required:** Encourage and enable seafarers to receive the booster dose at nearby vaccination centers before joining the ship.
**Stakeholder: Indian Ports**
* **Impact:** Expected to facilitate and regulate crew changes.
* **Action Required:** Ensure safe environment on ships is not compromised.
**Stakeholder: All Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Awareness of the importance of vaccinating seafarers to maintain essential services.
* **Action Required:** Be informed of the circular and any further updates on the DG Shipping Website.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: The issuer of the circular, prescribing detailed protocols for seafarers.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: Issued COVID-19 guidelines regarding booster doses, which this circular references.
COVID-19: The disease the circular is addressing in relation to seafarers' vaccination.
Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968: An act that defines essential services, including shipping, in India.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): Referenced procedures for controlled crew change.
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DIRECToRATE GENERAL or sHtpFttrtc, MUMBAI
F. No.23-U N l/5/202 1 -C R EW-DGS Daled 07.04.2022
DGS CIRCULAR NO. 08 OF 2022
subject: coronavirus (covrD 19) - arrangement for 3rd Dose/Booster dose of
vaccination for seafarers _reg.
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operating Procedures/Protocols (sop) for controlled crew change of lndian seafarers at
lndian ports to facilitate and regulate crew change for seafarers so that the safe
environment on the ship is not compromised or no contamination is brought from ship to
shore. The Directorate has also permitted and facilitated sign on and sign off of foreign
seafarers in lndian ports.
5.
Therefore, the Directorate has in accordance with the joint resolution issued by
various bodies of the United Nations, namely, the lnternational Maritime organization
(lMo), lnternational civil Aviation organization (lcAo) and tnternationJl Labour
organization (lLo), designated all seafarers within the jurisdiction of this country as
"Key Workers" providing an essential service.
6.
And whereas, in view of the nature of coVlD i9 pandemic, it is highly advised
that as far as possible the seafarers get themselves vaccinated 3rd Dose/Booster dose
before signing on ship from the nearby COVID vaccination centers.
7.
And whereas to keep the supply chain uninterrupted and in the general interest
of lndian seafarers, they are required to get the booster doze before joining the ship.
B.
Now therefore, the lndian seafarer who have completed 3g weeks from
completion of the second dose is strongly advised to take the3rd dose/booster dose as
has been prescribed for the front line workers.
9.
This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping & Additional
Secretary to the Government of lndia.
(Ashish Sinha)
Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)
To
1.All stakeholders through DG Shipping Website.
2.Computer Cell for placing this Circular at DG Shipping Website.
3.E-Gov Branch.
4.AD(OL) for Hindi version
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