This Directorate has been receiving requests from various candidates who have passed written examination of Certificate of Competency (COC), as 2nd Mate Foreign Going (FG), conducted by the Mercantile Marine Departments, on the basis of their sea service, on board foreign flag vessels, for issuance of CDCs, to enable them to complete the additional sea service, on board Indian or foreign flag vessels, to be eligible to appear in the oral examination, and thereafter, to obtain COCs as 2nd Mate (FG).

2. Similarly, this Directorate is also in receipt of requests from various candidates who have completed the Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering from Galsgow College of Nautical Studies, United Kingdom(UK), recognized by Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) and Marine Coast Guard Agency (MCA), UK for issuance of CDCs to enable them to undergo the prescribed six months training on board Merchant Vessels as Trainee Marine Engineers to be eligible to appear for the Class IV Certificate of Competency examination, conducted by MCA, UK. Such requests have also been received in respect of candidates from AMET, Chennai, who have undergone the training prescribed by the Maritime Administration of Singapore.

3. The Government of India, Ministry of Shipping, vide its Notification No.GSR 440(E), dated 19th June 2001, published the Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarers Identity Document) Rules, 2001. Sub Rule 5(4) of the Rules prescribes that " A citizen of India who is in possession of a valid Certificate of Competency issued by any foreign nation, is eligible to request for issue of a CDC". Further, Rule 5(2) of the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 2001, enables the Trainee Marine Engineers, Trainee Radio Officers and Deck Cadets, who have completed prescribed pre-sea training to obtain CDCs, to enable them to proceed to sea and Rule 5(3) of the CDC Rules enables the Navigational Watch Keeping Officer (NCV), Marine Officer Class-IV and Ex-Indian Naval Officer in possession of Watch Keeping Certificate, who have completed written examination and are required to undergo on board training for appearing in oral examination, to obtain CDCs.

4. In addition, under the provision of Rule 4(10), an applicant who has been working on foreign going vessel, of any flag, in any capacity without an Indian CDC during the period from 1/1/1982 to 19/6/2001, for a minimum period of three years, shall also, be eligible for issuance of CDCs.

5. In the light of the foregoing circumstances, having taken into careful consideration the requirement that all seafarers including Trainee Marine Engineers and Deck Cadets on board a ship are to be in possession of CDCs, the Director General of Shipping, is satisfied that, in the circumstances of the case, the requirement of prescribed training as per Rule 5(2) of the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 2001 has been substantially complied with, by the cadets who have passed the written examination of the COC for 2nd Mate(FG) conducted by Mercantile Marine Departments in India and the Trainee Marine Engineers and Deck Cadets, who have undergone the training, prescribed by the Maritime Administrations of any of foreign nations included in the White List of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and are eligible to proceed to sea. Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by clause(1) section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, on the Central Government read with notification issued by the Government of India, vide S.O.No.3144 dated 17th December, 1960, delegating the said powers to the Director General of Shipping, the Director General of Shipping and Ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India, is pleased to direct that CDCs may be issued to all Deck Cadets who have passed the written examination of the COC for 2nd Mate(FG) conducted by the Mercantile marine Departments in India and the Trainee Marine Engineers and Deck Cadets., who undergone the training, prescribed by the Maritime Administrations of the foreign nations, which are included in the White List of International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and are eligible to proceed to sea.

This order shall apply only to Indian citizens.

Sd/-
(D.T. Joseph)
Director General of Shipping
& ex-officio Additional Secretary
Ministry of Shipping,
Government of India