|
1. Indian
Merchant Shipping Act 1958 (as amended) requires sailing vessels
(mechanically propelled or not) to be registered under part XV of the Act.
Such vessels are of wooden construction having primitive design features
and therefore, do not comply with the International Conventions. Instead,
they are governed by the Merchant Shipping (Sailing Vessels) Rules, 1997.
2. These vessels were traditionally trading historically between
Indian subcontinent and
neighbouring countries of Persia, Arabia in
the West and up-to Thailand in the East The “Certificate Of Inspection of
a Sailing Vessel” issued to such vessels under said rules requires terms
and conditions of trading limit with restrictions, if applicable, with
regard fair/ foul season. Fair season & foul season for the purpose of
said Rules are notified in Schedule IV of the Rules.
3. In view of recent total loss of two sailing vessels near Gujarat
Coast and a sailing vessel in Andaman & Nicobar Island Sea and many
similar casualties in foul weather in past, the Director General of
Shipping, in interest of safety of life, property and protection of
environment hereby recommends to the registrars of Sailing Vessels to
restrict plying of such sailing vessels, whether loaded or in light
condition during foul weather season to or from any Indian or Foreign
Port/s. Foul weather area as notified under schedule IV of MS (Sailing
Vessels) Rules, 1997 is reiterated hereunder:-
|
Sr. No. |
DATE |
AREA |
|
1. |
1st June to
31st August |
Coast of Pakistan,
Gujarat, Maharashtra and Konkan |
|
2. |
16th May to
15th September |
Western India (South of
Karwar) and as far West as the line joining Aden and Berbera |
|
3. |
16th April to
31st August and 1st November to 31st
December |
Gulf of Mannar |
|
4. |
1st November
to 31st December |
Palk Bay |
|
5. |
15th April to
31st July and
16th October
to 31st December
16th April to
31st July and
16th October
to 15th November |
Madras and Andhra
Pradesh :
a) From Nagapatnam to
Kakinada
b)
From Kakinada to Gunjasme |
|
6. |
1st April to
15th August and
1st October
to 15th November |
West Bengal, Orissa,
Bangladesh and Arakan |
|
7. |
1st May to 31st
August |
Rest of Myanmar |
4. M.S. Act
Section 2(2) provides that the provision of the Act which apply to Indian
Registered Vessels shall so apply to any such vessel within India,
including territorial waters. Accordingly it may be noted that plying
restrictions stated above are applicable to all Mechanized sailing Vessels
whether Indian or Foreign, plying on Indian Coast in any one of the
aforesaid areas.
5. Plying restrictions imposed on Indian Mechanized Sailing Vessels
should be clearly endorsed on Certificate of inspection of Sailing Vessels
under heading “usual trading limits” by authorised issuing such
certificate. Violation of this M.S.Notice shall attract serious
consequences as provided under Section 334 of Merchant Shipping Act of
1958 including penal punishment.
6. This issues with the approval of the Director General of
Shipping.
Sd/-
(Capt. S. K.
Shukla)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech) |
