No.11-NT (21)/2009  

Date :8^th September 2010

Subject: Andaman & Nicobar Sailing Vessels (SVs) Owner Association Meeting-reg.
            plying during notified foul weather season - regarding

This Directorate has been in receipt of several representations from Andaman & Nicobar Sailing Vessels (SVs) Owner Association, A&N Islands, & Secretary (Ports) A&N Administration on the subject matter, stating that such crafts are virtually life line amongst islanders connecting essential items. It was also observed that lay up of existing subject crafts has caused unemployment amongst concern seafarers and hardship to their families.  The matter has been examined in the Directorate and it is realized that Eastern side of predominantly North-South lying Northern Andaman Islands upto a great extent offer lee in Southwest Monsoon and therefore, this region is more or less sheltered in nature. It was also realized that the strength of Southwest Monsoon in A&N Seas is much weaker than Arabian Sea. Therefore, the provisions stated in M.S. Notice No. 28 of 2009 applicable to Arakan coastal area need not apply in totality, and the Directorate hereby accords following relaxation to applicability of M.S. Notice No. 28 of 2009:

1)      1)        This consideration shall be limited to existing 15 sailing vessels (as per attached list) plying in A & N region only.

2)      2)        All such vessels are to be registered under jurisdiction of Kolkata, MMD District, within 6 months of issue of this letter, for effective monitoring and control.

3)      3)        In the context of A&N Islands, the definition of coast may be considered to be 12 miles from Lowest Low Line of tide from such Islands. 
4)            Port Management Board, A&N Administration shall have to accept responsibility of dissemination of weather forecast and regulate plying of such SVs during fair and settled weather conditions, by way of limiting the port clearance during bad weather. 

5)      5)       This vessels shall operate in close proximity of land, within 3 miles from the eastern coast of A&N Islands, from the Peacock Island in the North to Cinque Island on the South, during daylight condition only, after obtaining the Port Clearance.

6)      6)      All such vessels shall be subjected to a general examinations by a MMD Surveyor prior to granting permission for operation during foul season with special emphasis on the general condition of the hull, bilge pumping arrangement and closing appliances including their effectiveness. 

7)      7)    Standard patterns and type of cargoes to be loaded (approved cargo plan) shall be approved by the local MMD and the vessel Owner and Tindal shall ensure that standard pre-approved cargo carriage pattern (approved cargo plan) is strictly complied with, in order to maintain vessel’s stability at all times.

8)      8)    For coastal voyages south of 11 Deg North and any other cross voyage, provision of MS Notice No. 28/2009 and DGS order No. 6 & 7 of 2009 shall apply in totality.

9)      9)     This permission is subject to annual review.
         This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping.

   Sd/-
(CAPT. S. K. Shukla)
Dy. Nautical Advisor to the Govt. of India

LIST OF SAILING VESSELS OF A&N ISLANDS REFERRED IN

NT BRANCH CIRCULAR NO. 02 OF 2010 DATED 08^TH SEPTEMBER 2010