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Attention is invited
to Section 37 under Part V of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958.
The said section directs that where the Master of an Indian ship
is changed, the designated officer shall endorse and sign on the
certificate of registry a memorandum of the change.
In compliance of the above provision, on change of command, ships'
Masters are expected to approach office of the Registrar (Mercantile
Marine Department) or any other authorized officer in India or
any other Consular officer abroad to have change of command endorsed
on the Certificate of Registry of the vessel.
The endorsement process requires physical presence of the Master
in front of the designated official. In view of the fast turn
around of ships, development of various ports in remote locations
and absence of Registrar / Consular officer at small ports, it
is not feasible for the Master to effect the endorsement personally.
Being aware of the difficulties and keeping the provisions of
the Act in mind, all concerned are advised that henceforth there
is no need for Master to be present in person to effect the changes.
In lieu, shipowner / shipmanager / operator may submit an application
in duplicate for recording change of Master, to the Registrar,
where the ship was registered along with the prescribed fee of
Rs.250. The application may be forwarded by post or in person
along with enclosures in accordance with instructions given in
the application form. Specimen copy of the application format
is enclosed for reference.
Upon receipt of the application form and the prescribed fee, the
Registrar will record the change of Master in the application
at the prescribed place and return a copy of such endorsement
to the applicant. Such copy of endorsement should be forwarded
to the vessel within one month from the date of change of command
and shall be attached to the Certificate of Registry as a proof
of endorsement of change of command.
This issues with the approval of Director General of Shipping.
Sd/-
(Capt. L.K.Panda)
Dy. Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India
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