M.S. Notice 18 of 2008

No.3-TR(10)/2003
 

Dated : 22nd September, 2008
 

Subject : Notification  for  introduction  of Polyvalent  Cadets B.Sc.
               (Maritime Science) Degree Course.


1.0            PREAMBLE :

1.1      In  the  changed  scenario  in  world  shipping,  availability  of  quality  man  power  is  becoming  scarce and  costly.  A  new  concept  of  training  to  produce  a  technical  officer  having  combined  knowledge  of  both  fields  of   Nautical  &  Marine  Engineering  has  taken  birth.  Such  a  dual  certificated  "Polyvalent"  course  is  perceived  to  be  a  need  for  the  future   in  International   Shipping.  The  content  of  such  a  training  will  have  to  be  the  right  mix  of  Nautical  and  Engineering  branches.  

1.2      Considering  the  need  of  multi-skilled  officers  as  future  need  of  the  International  Shipping  Industry  and  to  make  Indian  seafarers  more  versatile  with  unified  training,  the  Director  General  of  Shipping had a meeting on 03rd February, 2003 with the members of  Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA),  Foreign Shipowners and Shipmanagers Association (FOSMA), Maritime Association of Shipowners and Shipmanagers (MASSA)  along with the Heads of Pre-sea Training Institutes. The decision was taken that Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Mumbai shall conduct such training and shall design and develop suitable course material called as B.Sc. (Maritime Science).  

2.0     COMMENCEMENT  OF  COURSE 

2.1      This course commenced in MERI, Mumbai from 15.09.2003 onwards with due approval of Directorate General of Shipping and in affiliation with University of Mumbai vide letter No. UG/410 of 2003 dated 25th August, 2003.        

2.2      The  course  introduced  as  per  provisions  made  in  chapter  VII  (alternative  certification)  of  META  manual  Volume  II  and  STCW  Code,  consists  of  Pre-sea  training  and onboard  training.  A  cadet  who  wishes  to  be  certified  as  a  polyvalent  officer  for  service  onboard  merchant  ships  will  be  required  to  undertake  3  year  B.Sc. (Maritime  Science)  degree  course  under  Mumbai  University  at  Marine  Engineering  and  Research  Institute,  Mumbai.  On  completion  of  the  B. Sc. (Maritime  Science)  degree  course  the  cadet  will  be  required  to  attend  18  months  approved  on  board  structured  training  program  (12  months  Nautical  +  06  months  Engineering  with  TAR  book)  as  per  approval  of  Director  General  of  Shipping.    MERI has also prepared Training and Assessment Record (TAR) Book for on board training. 

2.3      The  course  is  suitable  for  officer  at  operational  level  and  meets  the  requirements  of  certification  of  operational  level  officers  under  provision   made  in  the  Chapter - VII  of  Volume I & II  of  the  META  manual.  Every  candidate  for  certification  at  the  operational  level  under  the  provisions  of  Chapter  VII  of  the  Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)  Rules  1998,  shall  be  required  to  complete  relevant  education  and  training  and  meet  the  standard  of  competence  for  all  the  functions,  prescribed  in  either  M-II/1C  or  M-III/1B.   

2.4      On  completion  of  course  in  MERI.,  Mumbai  these  cadets  are  issued  with  B.Sc. (Maritime  Science)  degree  by  Mumbai  University  after  successful  passing  of  University  examination.    

2.5      After  completion  of   3  year  B.Sc. (Maritime  Science)  degree  course  at  MERI,  Mumbai  and  obtaining  necessary  documents  for  sailing  onboard  (CDC,  Basic  STCW  courses,  Passing  certificates  from  MERI,  Mumbai),  these  cadets  shall join  ship   for  onboard  training  with  approved  Tar  Book  both  for  Nautical  and  Engineering  streams.  They  are  also  given  EXN  45  and  exemption  from  Marine Engineer Officer Class  IV  part 'A'  (Reference  letter  No. 3-TR(10)2003 dated 19-12-2006). 

3.0     EXAMINATION  AND  CERTIFICATES:

 3.1     Every  candidate  for certification  under  the  provisions  of  chapter  VII  of  the  Merchant Shipping (STCW)  Rules  1998  at  the  operational  level  in  functions  specified  in M-II/1C  or  M-III/1B  shall  have  approved  seagoing  service  of  not  less  than  18  months,  and such  service  shall  include  a  period  of  at  least  six  months  performing  engine  room  duties  under  the  supervision  of  a  qualified  engineer  officer.  The  functions  of  Navigation  are  required to  performed for  a  period  of  12  months,  of which at least 6 months shall be performed  in  bridge  watch  keeping  duties  under  the  supervision  of  a  qualified  bridge  watch  keeping  officer.  These  cadets  are  to  undergo  structured  onboard  training  as  per  TAR  book  to  complete  the  necessary  post  sea  training  requirements  of  M-III/1B  and  M-II/1C.   

3.2      After  completion  of  18  months  structured  onboard  training,  cadets  may  appear  for  2nd Mate  (Foreign Going) Certificate of Competency written and oral examination of the Nautical stream or Class  IV  Part  'B'  Certificate of Competency written and oral examination of the Engineering stream.  (please refer flow chart).  

3.3      The cadet has the option to appear for both the examinations and obtain Certificates of Competency of both the disciplines.  The common subjects in the common functions under Chapter II and Chapter III of M.S. (Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), Rules, 1998 of META Manual I for Second Mate of a foreign going ship and Marine Engineer Officer Class IV need to be passed by candidate only once in either of the discipline.  

3.4      As  the  cadets  are  awarded  B.Sc. (Maritime  Science)  degree  by  Mumbai  University,  they  are  eligible  for  exemption  from  Part "A"  examination  of  Marine Engineer Officer Class IV  Certificate  of  Competency,  as  well  as  exempted  from  the  foundation  course  for  Second  Mate  (Foreign Going)  Certificate  of  Competency.  They are also exempted from the preparatory course requirement for Second Mate (Foreign Going) and Marine Engineer Officer Class IV Part 'B'. 

Sd/-
[Ashima Gupta]

Deputy Director General of Shipping

 

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