The Director Genera of Shipping has sanctioned the implementation of the Indian National Database of seafarers (abbreviated to INDos). The following are the details:

1. Aims:

1.1. To prevent the use of fraudulent certificates at sea by seafarers :

1.2. To comply with the Regulation 1/9 Para 4 of Standards of Training, Certification and Watckeeping Convention 1978, as amended in 1995, hereinafter referred to as STCW 95.

2. Objectives :

2.1. To maintain a computerised National Database for quick reference by statutory authorities such as Flag State, Port State, Immigration, etc. and also by employers of seafarers.

2.2. To include additional details such as photograph, signature, address, telephone number, etc.

3. The set up :

3.1. The Principal, Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Reasearch (LBSAMSAR), is the officer in overall charge of INDos on behalf of the Directorate General of Shipping.

3.2. All enquires and correspondence in this regard may be addressed to 'The Officer in Charge, INDos, LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research, Hay Bunder Mumbai - 400 033. College of AMSR, Hay Bunder, Mumbai-400 033'or Fax No. 91 22 3739784 or E-mail address:mariner@bom2.vsnl.net.in or Phone No.91 22 3719944.

4. Scope of coverage:

4.1. All persons including foreign nations who hold a Certificate of Competency granted by the Govt. of India.

4.2. All persons including foreign nationals who undergo modular courses in India approved by the Directorate General of Shipping under STCW 78 and /or STCW 95.

4.3. All Indian nationals who possess Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (abbreviated to CDC) i.e., those who hold valid Indian Passport and Indian CDC.

4.4. Details of Certificates of Competency, or modular course certificates, obtained from authorities abroad, would be excluded as these would be maintained by the issuing administrations. However, at the request of the applicant, suitable mention of foreign Certificates of Competency and/or foreign GMDSS Certificates may be made in the narration section of the database.

5. INDos Number: Each seafarer would be given a distinct, permanent number consisting of eight alphanumeric characters. This number would be entered on all his documents and certificates. The numbering is such that statistics can be compiled at any time Nautical Officers, Engineer Officers, Electrical/Electronic Officers, Deck Crew, Engine Crew, Catering Crew and 'others'.

6. Methodology :

6.1.1. For those entering the profession.

6.1.2. INDos numbers would be allotted by LBS College when a person joins a pre-sea training institute that conducts approved Pre-sea training courses of three months duration or more. 6.12. Details of any modular course certificates obtained by the seafarer would be accepted only directly from approved training institutions by way of monthly statements.

6.1.3. Details of documents, issued by Government authorities, such as Certificates of Competency, 'Letter of authority for issue of a Certificate of Competency' (commonly referred to as 'blue chit'), endorsements for serving on special ship types, CDCs, et c., issued in due course would be directly communicated to t he INDos center for updating the data. Such details would not be accepted form the seafarer.

6.2. For those already in the profession.

6.2.1. Photocopies of certificates produced by those already in the profession would be accepted and entered into INDos.

6.2.2. Such certificates would be verified subsequently from records furnished to INDos by the training institutions and authorities such as Chief Examiners (Certificates of Competency,) Mercantile Marine Departments (Letters of authority for issue of CDC and endorsements for special ship types), Shipping Masters (CDCs),etc.

7. Access to data:

7.1.Authorities such as Flag State, Port State, Immigration, etc. could make reference to INDos by fax or by E-mail and get quick replies.

7.2.Employers of seafarers can get print outs, on special paper with Govt. emblem printed on the background, of their potential employees before engagement onboard ship. This is a requirement under both, STCW 95 and t he ISM Code.

7.3.Seafarers, may get printouts, on plain paper, of their own data whenever required.

8. Method of implementation: As per ISM Code and STCW 95, the onus for the verification of the authenticity of certificates produced by seafarers rests with the employers. If an employer does not satisfy himself, by reference to INDos, that certificates so produced are authentic, the employer would be guilty of not exercising due diligence. This would be deemed as non-conformity under ISM Code and STCW'95,on the part of the employer .

9. Fee to be charged:

9.1. For fresh entrants the profession :

9.1.1. Rs. 100/- (US $ 5 for foreign nationals) for the first entry made through approved pre-sea training institutions that conduct induction courses of three months duration or more.

9.1.2. Rs. 100/- for every subsequent input updating the courses undergone by the seafarer. Such input and payment would be provided to INDos by the institutions conducting each course.

9.2. For persons already in the profession:

9.2.1. Rs.500/-(US $ 25 for foreign nationals) when they fill up the form for fist time.

9.2.2. Rs.100/- for every subsequent input updating the courses undergone by the seafarer. Such input and payment would be provided to INDos by the institutions conducting each course.

9.3. For enquiries from employers : Rs. 500/- per printout of details of a seafarer. Such printouts would be on special paper with Govt. emblem printed on the background.

10. Advantage of INDos to Govt. when fully implemented:

10.1 Prevention of the use of fraudulent certificates by seafarers.

10.2 Full compliance with Regulation I/9 Para 4 of STCW 95.]

10.3 Availability of statical data of seafarers category-wise - Nautical Officers

11. Advantages to employers when fully implementd:

11.1. Ready reference of certificates held by employees.

11.2. Help in complying with requirements of ISM Code and STCW 95 where the onus of authenticity of certificates of certificates of employees rests on the employer.

12. Advantages to seafarers when fully implemented:

12.1. Discontinuance of necessity of needless carrying of original documents while under training ashore. For example: At present a Second Mate FG candidate has to undergo 7 modular courses and 1 Competency Course. Each time, he has to bring all his original documents ( as many as ten including his CDC, Passport, etc.) Since most people are from outstation, and take up temporary lodgings in remote suburbs, the chances of losing documents due to oversight, theft, robbery, etc. in public transport is high. Once he has an INDos printout, he would not have to produce original documents again for admission to courses anywhere in India.

12.2. In case of loss of original documents the number and date of issue of each modular courses certificate could be obtained by reference to INDos to enable easy issue of duplicate certificates

12.3. However, seafarers are advised to carry all their original documents with them while serving on board ship.

13.Time Frame for implementation:

13.1. INDos is now fully operational and verification of documents and allotment of INDos numbers is being done since 1st November 2000.

13.2. All Certificates of Competency issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, under STCW 95, would have the INDos number of the seafarer stated on it.

13.3. By 1st February 2001, all seafarers should have their data in INDos.

13.4. After 1st February 2001, no seafarer should be admitted to any course approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, other than a pre-sea training courses of 3 months duration or more, unless as INDos number has been allotted to the seafarer.

13.5. Until 1st February 2001, all enquires regarding Certificate of Competency and Special Ship-type endorsements may continue to be made to the Directorate General of Shipping.