Dated:03.07.2009

Subject: Employment through registered RPS Providers only.

     This Directorate has received information regarding employment of one Indian seafarer through agencies by name M/s. Green Ocean Ship Management Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. Leo Shipping Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai.  In the particular case, the concerned seafarer unfortunately lost his life on 10.01.2009 presumably through natural causes while serving on board the ship managed by M/s. Green Ocean Ship Management Pvt. Ltd.
2.       Both M/s. Leo Shipping as well as M/s. Green Ocean Ship Management were not registered under the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarer) Rules 2005, and were not in possession of RPS licence issued by this Directorate.
3.       As a result, the next of kin continue to await for the payment of death compensation from the Principal with whom M/s. Green Ocean Ship Management are presumed to have entered into the agency agreement, in spite of lapse of 5 months, since the date of casualty.
4.       Under the circumstances, appropriate legal action is being initiated against the said unregistered RPS companies.
5.       The above information is hereby brought in public interest to the attention of the Indian Maritime Community with a view to discourage Indian seafarers from taking employment through unregistered manning agents.  Accordingly,  

(i)    All manning agencies or any other firms / agencies  organization  involved in recruitment and placement of seafarers are hereby cautioned that  to be legally eligible to conduct the work of recruitment  and placement of seafarers, such agencies, organizations, etc. then have to obtain registration from the DG Shipping under the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2005 as amended.  

(ii)    Further, any agencies or organizations involving themselves in Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers' without such registration are liable for legal action under the appropriate provisions of Law.  

(iii)  Further, all the aspiring, Indian seafarers of all categories, i.e. ratings, deck hands, Engineers, or of any other category or cadre are hereby cautioned that they should obtain placement only through an agency that is registered with the DG Shipping under the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarer) Rules, 2005 as amended, failing which, in case of any unfortunate event involving such seafarers, the Government of India, and Directorate General of Shipping, would not be in a position to assist them or come to their aid.

                        Sd/- 
          (Capt. H. Khatri)
   Dy. Director General of Shipping