**Executive Summary**
DGS Circular No. 36 of 2020 announces the resumption of BSID issuance to Indian seafarers starting December 10, 2020, at 1500 hrs, after suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a facility for priority BSID issuance for seafarers facing crew change difficulties in Brazil and the UK. Seafarers must adhere to the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlined in the circular.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Resumption of BSID Issuance:**
* Data capturing and issuance of BSIDs to Indian seafarers will resume from all 9 data capturing centers starting December 10, 2020, at 1500 hrs.
* **Rescheduling Slots:**
* Seafarers with previously scheduled slots before the lockdown can reschedule between December 10, 2020, and December 18, 2020, without additional fees.
* **Priority BSID Issuance for Brazil/UK:**
* A facility is provided for priority BSID issuance to seafarers facing crew change difficulties in Brazil and the UK.
* Seafarers must upload a letter from the recruitment agency specifying vessel, port, and joining date in Brazil/UK.
* Slot booking for Brazil/UK can be done from the day of application.
* Verification and biometric data collection will be done at Shipping Master/MMD centers between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
* The BSID can be collected from the respective Shipping Master Office in Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai on the same day.
* **COVID-19 SOP Adherence:**
* Seafarers must strictly follow the protocols/SoP annexed with the Circular.
* **COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):**
* Seafarers must have a valid appointment.
* Seafarers must adhere to social distancing norms at the DGS facility during the visit.
* Seafarers have to update their status in the Government of India ‘Arogya Setu' App.
* Seafarers will undergo temperature checks.
* Seafarers must wear face masks and sanitize their hands.
**Impact Analysis**
**Seafarers**
* **Impact**
* Resumption of BSID issuance allows them to proceed with their employment.
* Priority issuance facility for Brazil/UK addresses crew change difficulties.
* Adherence to COVID-19 SOP is required for entry into data capturing centers.
* **Action Required**
* Reschedule slots if previously booked.
* For Brazil/UK priority issuance, upload required documents.
* Strictly follow the COVID-19 SOP.
**Shipping Masters/MMDs**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for verification and biometric data collection for Brazil/UK applications between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
* **Action Required**
* Take necessary action and comply with the guidelines in the circular.
**Recruitment Agencies**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for providing letter to the seafarers to be submitted during priority BSID issuance.
* **Action Required**
* Provide letters for seafarers requesting for priority BSID issuance.
**CDAC, Mumbai**
* **Impact**
* Not explicitly mentioned.
* **Action Required**
* Take necessary action.
**All Stakeholders (through DGS website)**
* **Impact**
* General awareness of resumption of BSID issuance.
* **Action Required**
* Take note of the resumption and relevant procedures.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuer and regulator in this circular regarding BSID.
BSID: Biometric Seafarer Identity Document, subject of the circular, concerning its resumption of issuance under controlled conditions.
Shipping Master/MMD centres: Locations where verification and biometric data collection for BSID issuance takes place.
Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai: Cities where the BSID can be collected from the respective Shipping Master Office.
COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Protocols to be followed by seafarers to enter the data capturing centers.
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MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
Date:09.12.2020
Subject:
whereas due to the covid-19 pandemic the appricationtdata capturing of
seafarers for issue of BS|D was suspended vide DGS circurar
[F.No. cR_
27 tMisc(2}) t202ol dated 20.03.2020.
2'
And whereas the Directorate has further reviewed the matter and now decided
to resume data capturing and issuance of BSIDs to lndian seafarers from all its g data
capturing centres with effect from 10.12.2020, 1500 hrs.
3'
The seafarers who had already scheduled their slots before lock-down in the
online BSID system can reschedule the slot during 10.12.2020 to 1 g.12.2a2o. ln this
regard they will not be required to pay fee again.
4'
lt has been reported to this Directorate that due to non-possession of BSID,
lndian seafarers are facing difficulty and are not allowed crew change in ports in Brazil
and UK' Keeping this in view a facility has been provided for issuance of BSID on
priority on the same day in such cases. The seafarers can apply for issue of BSID and
book the slot- They are expected to upload letter from recruitment agency
mentioning details of the vessel, port and date of joining vessel in Brazil/UK. When
they select the tab BraziltUK the window for slot booking will be available for them to
schedule the slot from that day onwards. The verification and biometric data collection
will be done at the Shipping MasteriMMD centres everyday between 2.30 pm to 3.30
pm in such cases. The BSID can be collected from the respective Shipping Master
Office in Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai on the same day by the seafarer or RpS authorised
as per details mentioned in the online application.
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5.
The seafarer shall strictly follow the protocols/sop annexed with this circular,
failing which entry in the data capturing centres will not be allowed.
6.
This issues with the approvar of Director Generar of shipping & Additionar
Gol.
Secretary to
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(Subhash Barguzer)
Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)
Encl As above
To
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All stakeholders through DGS website.
2.
Computer cell (for hosting on DGS website)
s.
All Shipping Masters/MMDs for necessary action.
4.
CDAC, Mumbai for necessary action.Annexu re
COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOp)
seafarers must have a valid appointment and they should visit data capturing
centre only during their slot to minimize the crowd inside the building.
Applicants are advised to foilow sociar distancing norms at DGS facility
during the visit.
seafarers have to update his / her status in Government of India ,Arogya
setu'App at the time of reporting. onry if hearth status of seafarer is shown as
'sAFE' in the app that seafarer shail be ailowed to proceed further with
appointment.
The body temperature will be checked through an infrared thermometer for
each seafarer who is entering for data capturing. rf temperature is normar, then
only seafarer will be allowed to enter inside the building
Each seafarer must wear face mask whire entering the data capturing centre.
seafarer shourd sanitize his hands before entering the data capturing room.
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