**Executive Summary**
DGS Order 01 of 2021, issued on January 1, 2021, provides a deemed extension of Certificates of Competency (CoCs) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) for seafarers. This extension is granted until December 31, 2021, from the date of joining or one contract, whichever is earlier, for eligible seafarers who meet specific criteria. The order addresses concerns raised by maritime organizations regarding training and revalidation challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Extension Details:**
* Extends CoCs/CoPs until 31.12.2021 from the date of joining or one contract whichever is earlier, for eligible seafarers.
* **Eligibility Criteria:**
* The Seafarer has signed-off from a ship on/after the issue of DGS Order 20 of 2020.
* The Seafarer has not availed any extension of CoC/CoP under any previously issued Directorate Order/Circular/SoP whether while being on ship or ashore.
* The Seafarer joins the ship on/before 31.03.2021.
* Seafarers must demonstrate continuous professional competence as detailed in Annex I on the date of joining.
* **Background and Rationale:**
* Addresses requests from INSA/FOSMA/MASSA for extension due to internet connectivity issues and difficulties in attending online courses.
* Acknowledges the challenges seafarers face due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Notes that the Directorate has facilitated the completion of mandatory training through a newly devised Three-Tier mechanism.
* **Previous Orders Referenced:**
* Refers to DGS Order 26 of 2020, which granted deemed extension of CoPs to ratings till 31.12.2021, or for one contact, whichever comes first, under specified conditions.
* Refers to DGS Order 33 of 2020, which granted extension of CoCs/CoPs to Master & Officers till 31.12.2021, or for one contact, whichever comes first, under specified conditions.
* Refers to DGS Order 20 of 2020 regarding facilitating the conduct of revalidation courses via a Three-Tier training mechanism.
* Refers to DGS Order 40 of 2020 allowing the conduct of all STCW Courses via a Three-Tier training mechanism.
* **Annex I Summary:**
* Regulation I/11 of the STCW Convention requires Masters, Officers, and Radio Operators to meet medical fitness standards and establish continued professional competence at intervals not exceeding five years.
* Continued professional competence can be established through approved seagoing service or completion of approved training courses, with specific requirements for tankers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Seafarers:**
* **Impact:** Seafarers who meet the eligibility criteria can continue working with extended certificates, addressing immediate revalidation challenges.
* **Action Required:** Seafarers need to ensure they meet the criteria outlined in the order, including demonstrating continuous professional competence as per Annex I and joining ship on/before 31.03.2021.
**Maritime Organizations (INSA/FOSMA/MASSA):**
* **Impact:** Their concerns regarding training and revalidation challenges due to the pandemic have been addressed by the Directorate.
* **Action Required:** Organizations may need to inform their members about the extended provisions and ensure compliance.
**Directorate General of Shipping:**
* **Impact:** The order aims to balance the need to support seafarers with the importance of maintaining competency standards.
* **Action Required:** The Directorate needs to monitor the implementation of the order and ensure the effective conduct of the Three-Tier training mechanism.
Key Entities Referenced
DGS Order 26 of 2020: Directorate General of Shipping order regarding extension of Certificates of Proficiency of Seafarers, specifically for ratings.
DGS Order 33 of 2020: Directorate General of Shipping order regarding extension of Certificates of Competency/Certificates of Proficiency of Seafarers, specifically for Masters & Officers.
DGS Order 20 of 2020: Directorate General of Shipping order facilitating conduct of revalidation courses for seafarers.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): Primary authority issuing the order and regulating maritime affairs.
STCW Convention: International convention setting standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers, referenced in Annex I regarding revalidation of certificates.
r-t i t ...;-
sW&N&1
ill!((
r44#4-s.{e,
qqtc wA
q|{d {{6I{ / GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
\- ctr{, q}d qftdtq fir qoqrf qflGq
.-- lik s-;. q-ar -
ITINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
ftee{ q6ffie66q,
1ffi
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
DGS Order 01 of 2021
File No. 13-39/5/2020-ENGG-DGS Date:01.01.2021
Subject: Extension of Certificates of Competency/Certificate of Proficiency of Seafarers
1.
Whereas vide DGS order 26 of 2020 dated 30.09.2020, the Director General of Shipping
granted deemed extension of CoPs to ratings till 31.12.2021or for one-contact, which-
ever comes first, provided that-
(D
no extension has been availed by rating under previous orders / SOPs issued by
the Directorate and
(iD
havejoined/ shall join ships on/prior to 31.12.2020 and
(iii)
meet the continuous professional competence as per attached Annex I as on the
date oftheir joining.
2.
Whereas vide DGS Order 33 of 2020 dated 03.11.2020, the Director General of Shipping
also granted extension of CoCs/CoPs issued to Master & Officers till 31.12.2021or for
one-contact, which-ever comes first, provided that-
(i)
no extension has been availed by Masters & officers under previous orders / SOPs
issued by the Directorate and
(iD
havejoined / shalljoin ship on/prior to 30 November 2020 ar.d,
(iiD
meet continuous professional competence as per Annex I as on the date of their
joining.
3. Whereas INSA/FOSMAA,{ASSA in their submission has requested further extension of
above provisions of deemed extension for Master, Officers & ratings citing various
reasons such as lack of intemet connectivity, remote locations for undergoing the online
courses and at times they need to connect the seafarers due to unpredictable situations
arising due to the currently continuing pandemic posed by Covid-19 and hence requested
extension ofthe period for ratings till31.l2.202l and for offices ti1130.06.2021.
4. Noting that as early as in August 2020, the Directorate has facilitated conduct of
revalidation courses initially vide DGS Order 20 of 2020 dated 04.08.2020 via Three-Tier
Page 1 of 3
edi {kf,, {rar h'ft*r, 3rd fiid 2qil +qs, mr{r.frq fu, at${qfi ($) 1ffi- +oooaz
gth Floor, BETA Building, l-Think Techno Campus. Kanjur Village Road. Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai-400042
Ftf,.fet ruo.; +g1-22-2575 2C/;Oll tzn *frq,:-a^., +g1-22-2575 2)2gl35 i-tf,/Email: dgship-dgs@nic.in as{Fz/Website: www.dgshipping.gov.intraining mechanism comprising of E-Learning, Virtual Classes/On-Line Video sessions
and Exit Exam and lately allowed conduct of all STCW Courses vide DGS Order 40 of
2020 dated 19.12.2020 via Three Tier training mechanism comprising of E-Learning,
Vim.ral Classes/On-Line Video sessions & Practical and Exit Exam.
5. Also considering that the grant of extension to all seafarer who are joining on/before
31.12.2021, which is almost for a period of l-year without revalidation will create long
queues of candidate requiring completion of mandatory courses once the pandemic is
over.
6. Further noting that it is only about 5-months since the Directorate facilitated completion
of mandatory training through newly devised Three Tier mechanism.
7. Taking all the above into consideration, the Directorate hereby grants deemed extension
ofCoCs and/or CoPs until 31.12.2021 from date ofjoining or one contract whichever is
earlier for all those seafarers who comply with all of the following:
(i)
the Seafarer has sigred-off from a ship on/after issue of DGS Order 20 of 2020.
(ii)
the Seafarer has not availed any extension of CoC/CoP under any previously
issued Directorate Order/Circular/SoP whether while being on ship or ashore.
(iii)
the seafarer joins the ship or/before 31.03.2021 and demonstrates continuous
professional competence as detailed in attached Annex I on the date ofjoining.
Jilbfi
,/
I
(Amitabh Kumar)
Director General of Shipping
& Additional Secretary to the GoI.
Page 2 of 3ANNEX I
1. Regulation Vl I ofthe STCW Convention- Revalidation ofCertificates.
1.1. Every Master, Oflicer and Radio Operator holding a Certificate issued or recognized tmder
any Chapter ofthe Convention other than Chapter VI, who is serving at sea or intends to retum to
sea after a period ashore, shall, in order to continue to qualifr for seagoing service, be required, at
intervals not exceeding five years, to:
1.2 Meet the standards of medical fitness prescribed by Regulation V9; and
1.3 Establish continued professional competence in accordance with section A-l/l I ofthe STCW
Code.
2. Every master, officer and radio operator shall, for continuing seagoing service on board ships for which
special training requirements have been intemationally agreed upon, successfully complete approved
relevant training.
3. Every master and officer shall, for continuing seagoing service on board tankers, meet the requirements
in paragraph I of this regulation and be required, at intervals not exceeding five years, to establish
continued professional competence for tankers in accordance with sectior! AVll paragraph 3 of the
STCW Code.
4. Section A-Vll of the STCW Convention - Professional competence Continued professional
competence as required under regulation V1 I shall be established by:
4.l. Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period ofat
least:
4.1.1. Twelve months in total during the preceding ltve years, or
4.1 .2. Three months in total during the preceding six months immediately prior to revalidating;
4.2. Continued professional competence lor tankers, as required under Regulation Ull, shall be
established by:
4.2.1. Approved seagoing service, performing the duties appropriate to the tanker certificate or
endorsement held, for a period ofat least three months in total during the preceding five years; or
4.2.2. Successfully completing an approved relevant training course or courses
Page 3 of 3