**Executive Summary**
DGS Circular No. 23 of 2025, dated 19/05/2025, grants foul weather relaxation for Mechanised Sailing Vessels (MSV) operating on the Tuticorin-Colombo and Tuticorin-Malé routes. This relaxation, effective immediately, extends the operational window for MSVs, subject to compliance with specific safety and security conditions outlined in DGS Order 02 of 2025. The Directorate reserves the right to review or withdraw this relaxation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Foul Weather Relaxation Extension:**
* **Tuticorin – Malé route:** Foul weather relaxation extended until 15th May each year.
* **Tuticorin-Colombo route:** Trade operations permitted throughout the entire foul weather season.
* **Conditions for Relaxation:** Relaxation is conditional upon compliance with DGS Order 02 of 2025 (Standard Operating Procedure for safety and Security for Indian Mechanised Sailing Vessels)
* **Specific Requirements:**
* **Seaworthiness Certification:** Vessel owners must submit self-declaration and necessary documents to Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs) before each departure. Local MMD may conduct random inspections.
* **Weather Clearance:** Vessels must obtain and carry weather forecasts from two independent agencies for the entire voyage. Sailing is prohibited if the forecast indicates a Significant Wave Height exceeding 2 meters or wind speed exceeding 20 Knots.
* **Position Monitoring:** MSV positions must be reported to DGComm Centre every four hours, in addition to AIS reporting.
* **Route Compliance:** Strict adherence to pre-approved passage plans, remaining within 12 nautical miles of the coastline in the Gulf of Mannar during coastal passage.
* **Equipment Readiness:** Vessels must have functioning navigational and radio communication equipment as mandated by DGS Order 02 of 2025.
* **Crew Sensitization:** Vessel Owners and Tindals shall ensure crew is briefed on SOP provisions, emergency preparedness, and reporting obligations.
* **Implementation & Oversight:**
* Registrars of Sailing Vessels, Port Authorities, and Customs Commissioners may permit MSV operations on the specified routes, strictly subject to compliance with conditions.
* Jurisdictional MMDs are required to provide monthly reports of MSV sailings from Tuticorin.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
* Registrars of Sailing Vessels, Port Authorities, and Customs Commissioners are affected.
**Action Required**
* These entities must permit the operation of MSVs on the specified routes during the extended foul weather window, provided all conditions are fulfilled.
**Impact**
* Vessel Owners and Tindals
**Action Required**
* Vessel owners and Tindals must ensure compliance with all specified conditions, including seaworthiness certification, weather clearance, position monitoring, route compliance, equipment readiness, and crew sensitization.
**Impact**
* Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs)
**Action Required**
* MMDs must conduct random inspections of vessels and provide monthly reports of MSV sailings from Tuticorin during the foul weather season.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority of the circular, responsible for maritime affairs.
Mechanised Sailing Vessels (MSV): The type of vessels the circular pertains to, which are granted foul weather relaxation.
Tuticorin-Colombo and Tuticorin- Malé route: The specific shipping routes for which foul weather relaxations are being granted.
DGS Order 02 of 2025: Standard operating procedure for safety and security of Mechanised sailing vessels.
File No.: 25-97/1/2025-NT - DGS Date: 19/05/2025
DGS Circular No. 23 of 2025
Subject: Foul Weather Relaxation for Mechanised Sailing Vessels (MSV) for
Tuticorin-Colombo and Tuticorin- Malé route
The Directorate General of Shipping has received a representation from the Coastal
Mechanised Sail Vessel Owners’ Association (CMSVOA), Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu,
seeking a relaxation from the prevailing foul weather restrictions for MSVs operating
on the Tuticorin–Colombo and Tuticorin–Malé routes. The association highlighted
that there have been no fatal weather-related incidents in recent years, and that MSVs
are now equipped with modern navigational aids. It was also submitted that such a
relaxation would safeguard livelihoods, promote bilateral trade, and enhance regional
connectivity.
2. The Directorate, having regard to the socio-economic importance of this traditional
trade and following stakeholder consultations held on 23.04.2025 under the
chairmanship of the Nautical Adviser (I/c), refers to the existing DGS Order 04 of
2018, which permitted operations on the Tuticorin–Malé route until 30th April
annually under foul weather conditions, subject to specified safety parameters.
3. In continuation and enhancement of the above, and in light of the evolving maritime
security environment and operational readiness as outlined in the Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) for Safety and Security of Indian Mechanised Sailing Vessels
(2025), issued vide DGS Order 02 of 2025 dated 15.04.2025, the Directorate is
pleased to grant following relaxations, subject to meeting the conditions mentioned
below in Para 4.
a. For Tuticorin – Malé route: an extension of foul weather relaxation until 15th May
each year.
b. For Tuticorin–Colombo route: trade operations will be permitted throughout the
entire foul weather season
4. The above relaxation is strictly conditional upon compliance with the following
criteria and the mandatory provisions contained within DGS Order 02 of 2025 -
Standard operating Procedure for safety and Security for Indian Mechanised Sailing
Vessels: -
a) Seaworthiness Certification: Vessel owners shall submit the self-declaration
about the seaworthiness of the vessel and safety of the passage including weather
Page 1 of 2forecasts, cargo manifest, crew list, passage plan, and copy of insurance and valid
certificate of inspection of MSVs to Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs) to
declare the seaworthiness of each vessel prior to every departure. The local MMD
may carry out the inspection of the vessel randomly, if required.
b) Weather Clearance: Vessels must obtain and carry an official weather forecast
for the entire voyage including return passage from two independent agencies.
Sailing shall not be undertaken if the forecast indicates a Significant Wave Height
exceeding two (2) meters and/or wind speed exceeding 20 Knots.
c) Position Monitoring: Position of MSVs shall be reported to the DGComm
Centre manually every four (4) hours in addition to Automatic Identification System
(AIS) reporting, in accordance with SOP communication requirements.
d) Route Compliance: Traffic discipline shall be observed by maintaining the pre-
approved passage plan, ensuring vessels remain within 12 nautical miles from the
coastline in the Gulf of Mannar during the coastal passage.
e) Equipment Readiness: All vessels must be equipped with functioning
navigational and radio communication equipment as mandated under DGS Order 02
of 2025.
f) Crew Sensitisation: Vessel Owners and Tindals shall ensure that the crew is
briefed on the SOP provisions, especially those concerning communication
protocols, emergency preparedness, and reporting obligations to IFC-IOR,
MMDAC DGComm Centre, and MRCC & MRSC as applicable.
5. Based on this relaxation, the concerned Registrars of Sailing Vessels, Port
Authorities, and Customs Commissioners may permit the operation of MSVs on the
specified routes during the extended foul weather window, strictly subject to
fulfillment of the aforementioned conditions and full compliance with the Standard
Operating Procedures for Safety and Security of Indian Mechanised Sailing
Vessels (2025), issued vide DGS Order 02 of 2025 dated 15.04.2025.
6. The jurisdictional MMD is required to provide a monthly report of the details of MSVs
sailing from Tuticorin during the foul weather season in both the sectors i.e Tuticorin -
Columbo and Tuticorin- Male route.
7. The Directorate reserves the right to review, amend, or withdraw this relaxation
based on operational feedback, weather developments, or any instances of non-
compliance.
This order has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Capt. Anish Joseph
Deputy Nautical Advisor-cum-
Senior Deputy Director General (Tech.)
Directorate General of Shipping
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