To,

The Principal officer,
Mercantile marine Department,
Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai

Sir,

I am directed to forward hrewith a clarification to MS Notice No. 24of 2003 for your kind information and necessary action.

Pls acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
(Capt. S.K.Shukla)
Nautical Surveyor

This Directorate is in receipt of various queries /clarifications with respect to above M.S. Notice on subject matter of "Conversion of Fishing Vessel Certificate of Competency to Merchant Navy Certificate of Competency under M.S. (STCW) Rules 1998". It is therefore, clarified as follows:-

1. Category Standby Vessels includes all crew/support Vessels plying to and from a Base Port as defined under heading 4. DEFINITIONS of the M. S. Notice No. 24 /2003.

2. As clearly spelt out under heading 1.INTRODUCTION para.2) that subject Notice has identified areas of operations for such fishing vessel personnel in Arabian/Persian Gulf, West African Waters ………. etc.. Therefore, the intent of subject M. S. Notice is to include operation regions of Arabian/ Persian Gulf including Gulf of Oman and Red Sea. Any other areas out side operation regions stated above will have to be within 23º North and South Latitudes, where this M.S. Notice will have effect.Such limitation of area will be clearly shown on the said Certificate of Competency (R).

3. For the purpose of D.4 (GMDSS Course full attendance) of Annex-II (application form), an attendance certificate from U.K. approved GMDSS Course will be acceptable.

4. Subject Certificate of Competency (R) shall be valid and limited to vessels of less than 500 GT only as per all other provisions of M. S. Notice No. 24 of 2003.

This issues with approval of the Chief Examiner of Masters & Mates and Nautical Advisor to the Govt. of
India.