January 9, 2006

Whereas Rule 5 of Merchant Shipping (Continuous  Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2001, prescribes the issue of  CDC  to the certificated  officers who are in possession of Certificate of Competency issued under Section 78 of the Merchant Shipping  Act 1958  or  a Certificate recognized  under Section 86 of the M.S.Act, 1958. 

Whereas Regulation II/9, Section B.1 and B.2 of META Manual  prescribes  eligibility  of naval officers  for issue of Certificate of Competency  only after  the naval officers perform the  requisite  sea going service of  6 months on trading ships on duties associated with Bridge Watch Keeping  and after undergoing an oral examination and  assessment  as prescribed in the rules. 

Whereas  in order to sail on Indian ships a seafarer is  required to be  in possession of CDC. 

However, before completing of the requirements as prescribed  in Regulation II/9, Section B.1 and B.2 of META Manual,  the  naval officers cannot obtain a Certificate of Competency,  and are,  accordingly, not  eligible  for obtaining CDC under Rule 5 of  the M.S. (CDC) Rules and, therefore, they cannot board a vessel to complete the requisite sea going service of 6 months on trading ships.   

Now, therefore, the Director-General of Shipping and Secretary to the Government of India, exercising the powers conferred  by Clause (1) of Section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958  read with notification issued by the Government of India vide S.O. No.3144 dated 17th December, 1960 delegating the said power to him,  is pleased  to  extend the provisions of Rule 5 of the  Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate -cum-Seafarer's  Identity Document) , 2001 to such naval officers who have  passed the written examination conducted  by  the Mercantile Marine Department  and have completed all the specified modular courses to enable them to obtain a 'termporary CDC' with the validity period of 2 years,  to enable such naval officers to complete the 6 months  of requisite   sea going service  on trading ships on duties associated with bridge  watchkeeping  under the supervision of  the master or a qualified officer, followed by an oral examination and on successful completion of the exam and after   obtaining  Certificate of Competency  such  naval officers will become  eligible and can apply for a full-term  Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafare's Identity Document (CDC) of 10 years  validity period   as prescribed under the  M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2001. 

 Sd/-
(G.S. Sahni)
Director-General of Shipping &
Secretary to the Govt. of India