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)€l(-_ ,ITGI T{iTR/ GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
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MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
F.No.: 23-POL/I l/2025-CREW-DGS (C- No. -l78o8 r Date:11.12.2025
DGS Circular 55 of 2025
Seafarers Advisory on Avoidins Fraud. Cheatins & Unauthorized
Recruitment durinq Employment
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Govemment of India, has noted with
serious concem the increasing number of complaints received from seafarers who have been
cheated, misled, or financially exploited by unauthorized recruitment and placement agents
under the pretext ofoffering jobs on foreign-flagged vessels.
2.
Common issues reported include:
2.1.
Lack ofsupport during accidents, injuries, medical emergencies, or stranding.
2.2.
No intervention in wage or compensation disputes.
2.3.
Avoidance of responsibility in case of demise of the seafarer, including failure to
arrange mortal remains or compensation.
2.4.
Jurisdictional limitations for DGS in cases involving unauthorized channels.
2.5.
Sea service obtained through unregistered agents is invalid and cannot be uploaded in
the DGS e-govemance system.
3.
Seafarers are strongly advised to avoid unauthorized agencies and ensure placement
only through registered RPSL companies listed on www.deshiopins.gov.in. Additional
precautions must be taken to avoid impersonation of registered RPSLs and to regularly check
Master Checker for sea service updates.
4.
Seafarers and their parents are advised to exercise utmost caution and verifu the real-
time status of any Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) company before
initiating any form of interaction. The Directorate General of Shipping has made available a
live and continuously updated system on its website, displaying whether an RPSL is valid,
invalid, or temporarily blocked. It is essential that seafarers engage only with Valid RPSL
companies. No interaction, submission of documents, acceptance of employment offers, or
financial transaction should be carried out with Invalid or Temporarily Blocked RPSL
companies, as doing so exposes seafarers to substantial risks and leaves them without
regulatory protection.
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Detailed verification steps are provided in Annex I and must be followed before proceeding
with any employment-related activities.
5.
Alt seafarers joining a vessel are further required to carry a printed Form-l/lA/lB
issued exclusively by a Valid RPSL company. This Form-l must be genuine, accurate, and
system-generated, as immigration authorities will accept only duly issued and verifiable
documents. Any altered, handwritten, or unofficially issued Form-l will be rejected at the
airport.
6.
In addition, the Protector General of Emigrants (pGoE) has linked the Emigrant
Application Reference Number (ARN) with the seafarer's passport number, and immigration
authorities now veril, this linkage live at the point ofdeparture. Any mismatch, inconsistency,
or fraudulent ARN will result in the seafarer being off-loaded and may also invite legal action.
Therefore, seafarers must ensure that their Form-lllAllB is issued correctly and that the ARN
is valid and accurately reflects their passport details. (Detailed verification steps are provided
in Annex II).
7.
seafarers are strongly cautioned against engaging with unauthorized or unregistered
intermediaries. They must refrain from paying money for job placement, handing ovir their
passport or CDC to unknown individuals, or accepting employment offers through WhatsApp,
social media platforms, or other informal channels. Travelling without proper documentation
or relying on unauthorized agencies increases the likelihood ofexploitation, non-payment of
wages, abandonment abroad, and severe immigration violations.
8.
To safeguard themselves, seafarers must independently verifu the RpSL status online,
confirm the authenticity ofForm-l/lAllB, ensure correct emigrant reference number (ARN)
passport linkage, retain copies of all employment documents, and promptly report any
suspicious activity to the Directorate Ceneral of Shipping or local police authorities. Failure to
follow these precautions and engaging through unauthorized channels may lead to serious
consequences, including being off-loaded at the airport, denial of compensation or insurance
benefits, invalidation of sea service records in the DGS e-govemance system, lack of legal
recourse in disputes, blacklisting, and potential criminal proceedings.
9. Accordingly, all maritime stakeholders, especially maritime training institutes,
approved recruitment and placement agencies, seafarers' unions, shipping companies, and ship
owners' associations-are advised to widely disseminate this information and ensure strict
compliance with the updated procedures so as to prevent seafarers from falling prey to unethical
practices.
10.
For any support, clarification, or to report fraudulent recruitment activities, seafarers
may contact the Directorate General of Shipping at su rt.d Su ov.in and crews-
dgs(a)qov.in, or through the oflicial phone/WhatsApp numbers +91 90040 48406 and +91
86575 49760.
This issues with the approval ofthe Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary to
the Govemment of India.
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Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)
Page 2 of 2Annex - I
Procedure to Veri! RPSL Status
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2.
Navigate to Menu - RPS Agencies
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Click on List ofAgents having License recruitment and placement services
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Click through valid RPSL List, Invalid Rpsl list and Temporary blocked RPSL Lis and view
live sratus (Valid/lnvalid/Blocked)
Page 2 of 2Annex - II
Procedure to Verifo Emierant ARN Linked with Passport
Inslruclions lo check the stotus of the Application Refercnce Numbet (eMisrote Refercnce
Number)
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