M.S. Notice 16 of 2001

Sub:     Detention of Indian ships at foreign ports due to poor house-keeping – Port State Control Inspections - It has been observed by the PSC Cell of the Directorate that a large number of Indian ships are being subjected to detentions under Port State Control inspections mainly due to poor house-keeping.  Also in many cases, it has been observed that functioning of important items such as Life Boat Engines, IOPP equipment, emergency generator etc. is found to be deficient in front of the PSC officers. After the discussions with the representatives of Shipowners and careful analysis of all the reported deficiencies, the PSC Cell has come to the conclusion that officers and the ratings of the Indian ships are not performing their part of the maintenance routine and other duties diligently.  This has caused considerable embarrassment to this Maritime Administration as Indian ships are in the Watch List of US Coast Guard and in the Grey List of Paris MOU.  Performance of Indian ships under Asia-Pacific MOU is no better.  As a responsible Maritime Administration, we cannot allow such poor performance of Indian ships going un-checked. Therefore, it has been decided by the Director General of Shipping that a data base will be maintained of all the certificated hands particularly the Chief Engineers and Masters under whose control/command the ships were plying at the time of detention and the officers who are often found to be associated with detention cases will be suitably dealt with under the provisions of the STCW Convention and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.  In so far as poor house-keeping is concerned, large number of complaints have been received by the Directorate from the Shipowners that they are compelled to employ ratings who are over-aged and very casual towards performance of their duties due to Union pressures.  Poor house-keeping is a bad reflection on the work ethics of all those serving on board and it is indeed a matter of shame for all of them.  This Directorate therefore urges all the Indian seafarers to change their attitude towards work so that we can improve the image of Indian ships, particularly in respect of house-keeping, without any further loss of time.  Also in this respect, it may be borne in mind by all the seafarers that most of the casualty investigations have revealed that the same were caused due to human failure.  It is, therefore, needless to reiterate that casual attitude towards house-keeping has had a major bearing on most of the shipping casualties. Indian Maritime Administration therefore urges all concerned to perform their respective part of the duties diligently so that we can improve the image of Indian ships immediately to change the poor impression that exists not only about our ships but also about our people serving on board them. Back to SHIPPING NOTICES main page