Dated:10th February, 2004
 

This Directorate has issued the revised guidelines under Section 76 of MS Act, 1958 for safe manning of Indian ships vide letter NO. MSL-1 (2)/95-I dated 30^th April 2003.  These guidelines essentially deal with the subject of safe manning of ships, which are in operation.

2.         This Directorate has received numerous requests for reduction in prescribed manning of ships, which are laid-up i.e. idling at a safe berth or at a safe anchorage without any cargo and not engaged in any commercial operation while awaiting employment.  The subject has been deliberated at length in the Directorate.  Having noted the relevant provisions of watch-keeping as stipulated in the STCW Convention and M.S. (STCW) Rules, 1998, it has been decided that Deck Department of all such vessels as described above, be manned with one Management level officer and one Operational level officer at all times.  In addition, vessel would be manned with at least two Support level persons for Deck department.

3.         The onus of responsibility for compliance with all statutory requirements including safety and security requirements in emergency condition while at lay up berth / anchorage ensuring the requirement of rest hours for the officers and crew, especially the watch keeper would be on the Company which has the operating control of the vessel as defined in the relevant provisions of the ISM Code.

4.         Ship Owners / Companies are advised to submit their applications on Company’s letter head, as per Annexure I, directly to the concerned Principal Officer of Mercantile Marine Department where the vessel is intended to be laid up.  This would be examined for suitability of issuance of appropriate certificate by the Principal Officer concerned and suitable recommendation forwarded to N.T. branch of the Directorate.  Based on the approval of Directorate, reduced manning certificates can be issued to the concerned operator. 

5.         This supercedes all previous instruction issued on the subject.

6.         This issues with the approval of Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India.

Sd/-
(Capt. Harish  Khatri)
Nautical Surveyor
 

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