**Executive Summary**
DGS Circular No. 07 of 2022, issued on March 14, 2022, outlines the procedure for revalidation of Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) grade Certificates of Competency (COC) under Regulation III/6 of the STCW Convention 1978, as amended in 2010. The circular provides clarity on objective, applicability, and requirements for revalidation. The circular is effective from the date of issue, however it does not apply to applicants who have already submitted their revalidation application on or before the issue date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Objective:**
* Prescribes the procedure for revalidation of ETO COCs issued under Regulation III/6 for compliance with Regulation I/11 of the STCW Convention 1978 as amended in 2010, referring to rules 48 and 14 of MS(STCW) Rules 2014.
* **Applicability:**
* Applies to all seafarers holding a Certificate of Competency (COC) as Electro-Technical Officers.
* **Revalidation Requirements:**
* Officers serving at sea or intending to return to sea after a period ashore must revalidate their COC at intervals not exceeding 5 years.
* To revalidate, officers must:
* Meet medical fitness standards prescribed by Regulation I/9 of STCW 2010 by submitting a valid medical certificate from a DGS-approved medical practitioner, according to Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Amended Rules 2016.
* Meet the standard of competence specified in section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, section A-VI/2, paragraph 1 to 4, section A-VI/3, paragraph 1 to 4, and section A-VI/4, paragraph 1 to 3 of the STCW Code by submitting valid Certificates of Proficiency (COP) for:
* Basic Safety Training course
* Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
* Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF).
* Establish continued professional competence in accordance with Section A-I/11 of the STCW Code by:
* Having at least twelve months of approved seagoing service performing functions appropriate to the COC held within the preceding five years, OR
* Having three months of total approved sea service immediately preceding six months prior to revalidating, OR
* Being a full-time faculty member teaching a 4-month ETO course for at least three years in the preceding five years with DGS-approved MTIs, OR
* Passing the approved test (oral examination).
* Undertake a Refresher and Updating Training course for revalidation (RUT) at a DGS-approved training institute (reference Engineering Circular 143 of 2018 dated 26.3.2018 for the course completion certificate format).
* **COC Revalidation Process:**
* Upon fulfilling the requirements and submitting the revalidation application at MMD examination centers (Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai) through the DGS e-governance online system, the COC will be revalidated for five years from the date of completion of the Refresher and Updating Training course.
* The revalidation sticker will be sent to the candidate at the address registered in the seafarer's profile.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs)**
* **Impact:**
* ETO certificate holders are impacted by the updated procedures for revalidation of their Certificates of Competency (COC).
* **Action Required:**
* Comply with the new revalidation requirements, including medical fitness standards, competency standards, sea service requirements, and refresher training, to ensure continued qualification for seagoing service. Submit revalidation applications through the DGS e-governance online system.
**Stakeholder: Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) examination centers in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai**
* **Impact:**
* These departments are responsible for processing and managing the revalidation applications submitted by Electro-Technical Officers.
* **Action Required:**
* Implement the new procedure for revalidation of COC and ensure that the applications are processed through the DGS e-governance online system.
**Stakeholder: Training Institutes and Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)**
* **Impact:**
* These institutes are responsible for providing the Refresher and Updating Training (RUT) and approved ETO courses required for revalidation.
* **Action Required:**
* Offer the necessary RUT courses and ETO programs according to DGS guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the circular and ensuring compliance with STCW Convention.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure the circular is followed, upload on DGS Website, and provide necessary guidelines and support to stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
STCW Convention 1978 as amended in 2010: International convention setting standards for seafarer training, certification, and watchkeeping; the circular addresses compliance with specific regulations regarding revalidation of certificates.
DGS Circular No. 07 of 2022 [EAC Branch (Engineering)]: The document itself, which outlines the procedure for revalidation of ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) grade Certificates of Competency (COC).
Certificate of Competency (COC): Certificate of Competency, specifically for Electro Technical Officers (ETOs), which this circular defines the revalidation process for.
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: Issuing authority of the circular responsible for maritime administration.
Merchant shipping (Medical examination) amended Rules 2016: Indian legislation specifying medical examination requirements for seafarers, referenced for revalidation of ETO certificates.
7*
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DGS Circular No. O7 of 2or22 [EAC Branch (Engineeringll
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File No:- I S I 2O2 I-ENGG-DGS Date: 14.0,3.2o.22
Subject:- Procedure for revalidation of ETO grade COC issued under
Reg III/6 of STCW Convention 1978 as amended in 2O1O-
Reg
1. Objective
To prescribe procedure for revalidation of Certificate of Competency for Electro
Technical officer issued under regulation [ll/6 for compliance with regulation
I/ 11 of STCW convention 1978 as amended in 2OLO [refer rules 48 and 14 of
MS(STCw)rules 2ol4l.
2. Appltcabtllty
This circular shall apply to all seafarers in possession of Certificate of
Competency (COC) as Electro technical officer.
3. Revalidation requirements for holder of ETO grade Certificate of
Competencv (COCI.
Every officer holding a Certificate of Competency as ETO who is serving
at sea or intends to return to sea after a period ashore, shall, in order to
continue to qualify for sea going service, be required, at intervals not exceeding
5 years to
A) Meet the standards of medical fitness prescribed by regulation I/9
of STCW 2OlO by submitting a valid medical certificate issued by DGS
approved medical practitioner in accordance with the provision of Merchant
shipping (Medical examination) amended Rules 2OL6.
Page 1 of 3
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9th Floor, BETABuilding, l-Think Techno Campus, lGnjur Mllage Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai-400042
frqrfa No.: +91-22-2575zC/,finn, i}'-mfax.: +91-22-25752o29f35 ttglsman: dgshlpdgs@nlc.ln iE{t{arwebslte: www.dgshlpplng.gov.tnB) Meet the standard of competence specilied in section A-VI/ l,
para$aph 2, section A-VI/2, paragraph 1 to 4, section A-VI/3, paragraph I to
4, and section A-VI|4, paragraph 1 to 3 of the STCW Code by submitting valid
Certificate of Proficiency (COP) of the following
i)
Basic safety Training course.
ii) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue
Boats (PSCRB);
iii) Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF); and
C) Establish continued professlonal competence ln accordance with
Sectlon A-I/ 11 of the STCVI Code.
i)
Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the
COC held, for a period of at least twelve months in preceding five
years at the time of application for revalidation; or
iD Three months in total approved sea service immediately in
preceding six months prior to revalidating; or
iii)
Fulltime faculty in teaching 4 months ETO course for a period of at
least three years in preceding five years at the time of application
for revalidation with DGS approved MTIs ; or
iu)
Passing the approved test, i.e. Oral examination.
D) Undertake Refresher and Updating training course for revalidation (RUT)
in an DGS approved training institute (Course completion certificate
format- refer Engineering Circular 143 of 2018 dated 26.3.2018).
4. On fulfrllment of above requirements and submission of revalidation
application at MMD examination centers (Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai)
through DGS e-governance online system, COC will be revalidated for five
years from the date of completion of Refresher and Updating training
Page 2 of 3course and the revalidation sticker will be sent to the candidate to address
registered in the seafarer's profile.
5. This circular will come into force from the date of issue, however this
circular will not be applicable for all those candidates, who have already
submitted their revalidation application on or before issue of this circular.
6. This is issued with the approval of Chief examiner of Engineers.
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(Jayan khopadhyay)
Engineer & Ship Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech)
To,
1. Sr. PS to DG (S)/Addl. DG(S)/CS/NA(I/C) for information.
2. Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Mumbai/ Chennai/
Kolkata/ Kandla / Kochi.
3. Training & e-Governance Branch, DGS for necessar5r action.
4. rNSA/FOSMA/MASSA/ICCSA.
5. Computer Cell, DGS for uploading on DGS Website.
6. Hindi Cell for Hindi translation.
Page 3 of 3