**Executive Summary**
This DGS Order No. 14 of 2024, dated 09.10.2024, addresses the issuance of Seamen Identity Cards to sailing vessel crew operating solely within the Andaman & Nicobar Islands region. It exempts the passport requirement for applicants applying for Sailing Vessel Seaman Identity Cards for work exclusively on sailing vessels in that area. This is in public interest to facilitate ease of obtaining Seaman Identity Cards.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Exemption:**
* Passport requirement is waived for Seaman Identity Card applications specifically for those working on sailing vessels plying solely in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This exemption is based on Section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and S.O. 3144 dated 17/12/1960.
* **Validity and Restrictions:**
* Identity cards issued under this order are valid for one year.
* Holders of these identity cards can only be employed on designated sailing vessels.
* **Submission Requirements:**
* Crew lists for the vessels must be submitted to the Surveyor -In Charge (SIC), Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Port Blair, and the Port Management Board of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
* All other necessary documents, apart from the passport, must be uploaded during the online application.
* **Processing Fee:**
* A processing fee of Rs. 500/- is required for obtaining the Sailing Vessel Seaman Identity Card.
* **Applicability:**
* The order applies exclusively to crew members employed on board the following four sailing vessels operating solely within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
* Aysha (8XCU, CAL-007)
* Al Busmala (8XCD, CAL-016)
* Om Sakthi (8XND, CAL-020)
* Follow Jesus (8XNL, CAL-021)
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Crew Members of Sailing Vessels (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)**
* **Impact:** Easier access to Seaman Identity Cards due to the passport exemption. This aims to improve crew retention and address challenges related to frequent turnover.
* **Action Required:** Apply for the Seaman Identity Card online, submitting all necessary documents (excluding passport) and paying the processing fee of Rs. 500/-.
**Stakeholder: Vessel Owners/Operators**
* **Impact:** Simplifies the process of hiring and retaining crew for sailing vessels.
* **Action Required:** Ensure crew members apply for the Seaman Identity Card. Submit crew lists to the Surveyor -In Charge (SIC), Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Port Blair, and the Port Management Board of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
**Stakeholder: Surveyor -In Charge (SIC), Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Port Blair, and the Port Management Board of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration**
* **Impact:** They are responsible for checking documents and maintaining the crew lists for the specified vessels.
* **Action Required:** Receive and maintain crew lists for the identified sailing vessels and process Seaman Identity Card applications according to the order.
Key Entities Referenced
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Indian legislation governing maritime activities. This order refers to Section 456 which empowers the government to issue orders and conditions.
Merchant Shipping (Sailing Vessels) Rules, 1997: Rules mandating identity cards for crew on sailing vessels.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority for this order. A regulatory body.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Location of applicability, where the order specifically addresses sailing vessels and crew within these islands.
Sailing Vessel Seaman Identity Cards: Subject of this order; relates to issuance to crew working on sailing vessels.
DGS ORDER No 14 of 2024
File No:21-12011/1/2020-COASTAL-DGS-Part-1 Dated: 09.10.2024
Sub:Issuanceof Seamen IdentityCard to Sailing Vessel CrewAndaman &Nicobar
Islands Reg.
It is noted that, the Merchant Shipping (Sailing Vessels) Rules, 1997, notified under
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), mandates that every person serving on board
a sailing vessel shall be having an identity by card issued the issuing authority specified
in Schedule V of thesaid rules.
2. Whereas, Andaman & Nicobar Sailing Vessel Association, has raised the challenges
faced by the Association. The Association indicated that the crew members employed in
the industry are experiencing a standard of living that is considerably low. Furthermore,
the association submitted that the crew of sailing vessels typically works for a duration of
one month before seeking alternative employment, resulting in a continuous cycle of new
crew members being hired. This frequent turnover complicates the retention of crew for
extended periods. Additionally, new crew members must apply for and obtain a sailing
vessel identity card, which presents challenges in the boarding process for these crew
members.
3. Whereas, Section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, empowers the Central
Government to issue an order in writing, and to impose such conditions as it deems fit, to
dispense with the observance of any specified requirement that must be complied with by
any ship, sailing vessel, master, tindal, or seaman, provided it is satisfied that the
requirement has been substantially complied with or whether that compliance should be
exempted given the circumstances of the case.
4. Whereas, the Director General of Shipping in exercise of power conferred under
section 456 read with S.O. 3144 dated 17/12/1960, has exempts the requirement of
Passport for the purpose of applying Sailing Vessel Seaman Identity Cards for those
persons aspiring to work on only board sailing vessels which are plying in Andaman &
NicobarIslands asindicatedin the subsequent Parano.6 of this order.
5. Whereas, the validity of these identity cards will be limited to one year. Furthermore,
holders of these restricted identity cards will be employed exclusively on the designated
sailing vessels, and their crew lists must be submitted to the Surveyor –In Charge (SIC),
Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Port Blair, and the Port Management Board of
the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
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