G.S.R. 509(E)-In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (b), (c)and (d) of section 87 read with Section 83 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) and in supersession of the Merchant Shipping (Examination for Skippers and Second Hand of a FishingVessel) Rules 1964, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules,namely :-

1. Short title commencement and application :-

(1) These rules may be called the Merchant Shipping (Examination of Skippers and Mate of Fishing Vessels) Rules, 1987. (2) They shall come into force six months after the date of their publication in the official Gazette subject to sub rule (3) (3) They shall apply to:- (a) any candidate who is a citizen of India: (b) any other candidate permitted to be examined under these rules by the Central Government.

2. Definitions :-

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires :- (a) 'Act' means the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958). (b) 'Appendix' means Appendix Annexe to these rules. (c) 'Approved' means approved by the Director General of Shipping. (d) 'Chief Examiner' means the Chief Examiner of Master and Mate. (e) 'Continuous Certificate of Discharge' means a Certificate issued under Merchant shipping (continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules 1960. (f) 'Effective charge' in relation to watch-keeping service means assuming full responsibility for the watch but does not preclude occasional supervision by a senior officer. (g) 'Examiner' means the examiner appointed under section 79 of the Act. (h) 'Non-trading ship' means ship not going to any foreign country or not trading in home -trade. (i) 'Qrdinary trading ship' means a foreign going or home trade ship as defined in the Act. (j) 'Qualifying Sea Service' means the service performed in the deck de [arrestment of any fishing vessel or trading ship at sea or of any sea going ship of the Indian Navy or Coast Guard while such vessel is commissioned into service including reasonable time spent in dry-dock, or while undergoing hull or deck repairs unless expressly provided otherwise. (k) 'Record of Service' means the record of service on fishing vessels as prescribed in Appendix 'A'. (l) 'Watch-keeping service' means : (i) the service on a fishing vessel during which a candidate has been incharge or, as the case may be, in effective charge of a watch for not less than eight hourse out of every twenty hours of service claimed. or, (ii) the service on a fishing vessel during which a candidate has been in full charge or, as the case may be in effective charge of a watch for not less than six hours out of every twentyfour hours, if he has carried out additional routine duties in connection with fishing operations or the maintenance of the fishing vessel for not less than two hours in every twenty four hours period of service claimed and, in either case, such service shall include reasonable time spent in dry dock or while undergoing hull or deck repairs. (m) Words and expressions used in these rules but not defined shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act;

3. Grades of examination for Certificates of Competency :-

(1) Examinations in accordance with these rules shall be held for Certificates of Competency of the following grades, namely :- (i) Mate Fishing Vessel; (ii) Shipper of Fishing Vessel Grade II; (iii) Skipper of Fishing Vessel Grade I. (2) Every successful candidate shall be granted a Certificate of Competency in the form prescribed in Appendix B for the respective grades in accordance with the provisions of these rules. (3) The Certificate of Competency shall be prepared in duplicate and the original shall be issued to the successful candidate holding a letter of authority prescribed in sub rule(2) of rule 44. The duplicate shall be retained by the Chief Examiner. (4) The Chief Examiner shall maintain a register wherein the details of the Certificate of Competency issued shall be recorded Such a register shall also record any cancellation or suspension of the Certificate of Competency made under the Act and any endorsement made thereon within the meaning of rule 46.

4. Mate of fishing vessel:-

(1) Examination for the Certificate of Competency as Mate of fishing vessel shall be held in three parts namely :- (i) Part 'A' Written (ii) Part 'B' Oral (iii) Part 'C' Signals. (2) Every candidate for this examination shall be not less than 19 years of age as on the first day of the month of the examination. (3) Subject to rules 17 and 19 every such candidate shall have three years of qualifying service of which: - (a) at least 6 months service shall have been performed on a fishing vessel of not less than 15 meters in length; and (b) at least 3 months service shall have been performed in fishing vessel in the 18 months immediately proceeding the month of examination. (4) Every such candidate shall be in possession of the following certificates :- (a) Approved Radar observer's certificate; (b) Approved First aid at Sea certificate; (c) Approved Lifeboatman's certificate; and (d) Elementary fishing technology certificate granted under Rule 7. provided that a candidate may be permitted to appear for the examination before obtaining any of the above certificates in which case the Certificate Competency or letter of authority shall not be issued until all the aforesaid certificates are produced.

5. Skipper of fishing vessel grade-II

(1) Examination for the Certificate of Competency as skipper of fishing vessel grade II shall be held in three parts, namely :- (i) Part 'A'- Written. (ii) Part 'B'- Oral. (iii) Part 'C' - Signals. (2) Every candidate for this examination shall be not less than 20-1 2 years of age on the first day of the month of the examination. (3) Subject to rules 19,23and 24 every such candidate shall have after abstaining the Certificate of Competency as Mate of Fishing vessel, at least 18 month watch keeping service on a fishing vessel of which :- (a) at least 6 months keeping service shall have been performed on a fishing vessel of not less than 15 meters in length, and (b) at least 3 months service shall have been performed on fishing vessels in the 18 months immediately preceding the month of examination. (4) Every such candidate shall be in possession of following additional certificate :- (a) Approved First aid at sea certificate. (b) Approved Life boatmen's certificate. (c) Elementary fishing technology certificate granted under rule 7. (d) Approved Certificate of proficiency in fire fighting. (e) Approved Radar Observer's certificate. (f) Advanced fishing technology certificate granted under rule 7. (g) Certificate of proficiency as Radio Telephone Operator (restrictive) granted under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial radio Operator's certificate of proficiency and licence to operate wireless telegraphy Rules 1954. Provided that a candidate may be permitted to appear for the examination before obtaining any of the above certificates in which case the certificate of competency or Letter of authority shall not be issued until the entire aforesaid certificate are produced.

6. Skipper of fishing vessel grade- I: -

(1) Examination for the Certificate of Competency as skipper of fishing vessel grade-I shall be held in three parts, namely:- (i) Part 'A' : written (ii) Part 'B' : Oral (iii) Part 'C' : signals provided that a candidate who holds Certificate of Competency skipper of fishing vessel grade II shall be exempted from examination in practical and principles of Navigation and chart work in part 'A' and the examination in part 'C' (2) Every candidate for this examination shall be not less than 21-1 2 years of age as on the first day of the month of examination. (3) Subject to rules 19, 23 and 24 every such candidate shall have at least 30 months watch keeping service on board fishing vessels as holder of Certificate of Competency as Mate of fishing vessel, of which- (a) at least 6 months watch keeping service shall have been performed on a fishing vessel of not less that 24 metres in length, and (b) at least 3 month service shall have been performed on fishing vessels in the 18 months immediately preceding the month of examination. (4) Every such candidate shall be in possession of following additional certificate. (a) Approved First Aid at sea certificate. (b) Approved Life boatmen's certificate. (c) Elementary fishing technology certificate granted under rule 7. (d) Approved Certificate of proficiency in fire fighting. (e) Approved Radar Observer's certificate. (f) Advanced fishing technology certificate granted under rule 7. (g) Certificate of proficiency as Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) granted under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy (commercial radio operator's certificate of proficiency and licence to operate wireless telegraphy) Rules 1954, and (h) Approved Radar simulator course certificate provided that a candidate may be permitted to appear for the examination before obtaining the above certificates in which case the certificate of competency or Letter of authority shall not be issued until all the aforesaid certificates are produced.

7.(1) Elementary Fishing Technology Certificates :-

(a) Every candidate who has performed the qualifying service wholly on fishing vessels and is eligible to appear for examination for Certificate of Competency as Mate of fishing vessel shall be granted the elementary fishing technology certificate on successful passing of an examination. If such a candidate has successfully undergone an approved pre-sea institutional training at the Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training and has passed the examination at the end of such training, he shall be deemed to have passed the examination for this certificate. (b) Every candidate who has served on ordinary trading ship and or on sea going ships of the Indian Navy or Coast Guard shall be permitted to appear for this examination after he has completed an approved course under the guidance of an approved institution.The duration of such course shall be not less than 2 months training in the institutions and not less than 4 months training on board fishing vessels. (c) The examination for this certificate shall be conducted by the Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training or other approved institutions as per syllabus prescribed in Appendix 'C'. (2) Advanced Fishing Technology Certificate :- (a) Every candidate eligible for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade II or grade I and who has wholly served on fishing vessels shall be granted the advanced fishing technology certificate on successful passing of an examination. (b) Every candidate who has served on ordinary trading ships and or on set going ships of the Indian Navy or Coastguard shall be permitted to appear for this examination after he has completed an approved course under the guidance of an approved institution. The duration of such course shall be not less than 2 months training in the institution and not less than 4 months training on board fishing vessels. (c) This examination for this certificate shall be conducted by the Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training, Cocoon (CIFNET) or such other approved institution as per syllabus prescribed in Appendix 'D'.

8. Sight Tests :-

(1) Every candidate for examination for a Certificate of Competency of any grade shall, subject to sub rule (2), pass the letter test specified in Appendix E before appearing for the examination. (2) Every candidate for examination for a Certificate of competency as Mate of fishing vessel in addition to the letter test specified in sub-rule (1), pass the appropriate lantern test specified in Appendix B, before appearing for the examination. (3) For the purposes of this rule a pass in sight test shall be valid for a period of 6 months.

9. Application forms :

(1) Any candidate satisfying the requirements of rules 4, 5 and 6 may apply for appearing for the examination for Certificate of Competency for which be is eligible in the prescribed form set our in Appendix 'F'. (2) All entries in the application form shall be filled in accurately. Particulars in respect of sea service, watch keeping service and the rank held by the candidate while performing such service as specified in the appropriate columns of the application form shall correspond with documentary proof produced in support thereof. Any discrepancy in such particulars shall render the application invalid, unless any such discrepancy or gap in sea service is explained by the candidate to the satisfaction of the Examiner. (3) The application shall be made to the Principal Officer of Mercantile Marine Department at the port of examination as early as possible and in any case not later 10 days before the date of commencement of the examination. (4) Every such application shall clearly state the part or parts of the examinations in which the candidate wishes to appear in any particular month.

10. Documents to accompany application :-

(1) Every application shall be accompanied by Certificate of birth, testimonials complying with the requirements of these rules, record of service on fishing vessel and or continuous certificate of discharge, Certificate of competency or service, if any, additional certificates complying with the requirements of rules 4,5,6, and 7 and evidence of having passed in appropriate sight tests complying with the requirement of rule 8. Provided that in the case of a candidate who is a citizen of India, the certificate of birth or a certificate of naturalisation shall also be accepted as a certificate of nationality.

11. Testimonials :-

(1) Every candidate for examination for Certificate of Competency for any grade shall produce the certificate specified in sub-rule (2) duly signed and attested. The certificate shall comment on the conduct, including sobriety, ability and experience of the candidate as assessed by the Master or the Skipper on the basis of the candidate's performance onboard a fishing vessel for full period of the qualifying sea service, or as the case may be, watch keeping service. In the case of watch keeping service such certificates shall be in the prescribed form as set out in Appendix "D" stating in addition the exact nature of service and rank on board for the period to which the certificate relates. (2) Testimonials for any such service shall when performed on an Indian ship or fishing vessels be signed by the Master or the Skipper, provided where the Skippers on a fishing vessel are employed on a voyage basis, the certificate with respect to conduct, sobriety, ability and experience shall be recorded by a Skipper in the service record at the conclusion of the month. Such entry in the record shall be countersigned by the owner or his authorised managers superintendent. Where any Skipper desires to report adversely on any such candidate with respect to his conduct, ability and sobriety he shall cause an entry to that effect being made in the record giving details of the same.

12. Enquirer in respect of sea service

(1) Where any candidate desires we have his sea service or as the case may be, watch keeping service assessed under these rules, he may submit his application in accordance with rule 9 to the Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department of any district for such assessment. (2) Where any candidate is not satisfied with assessment of his sea service or, as the case may be, watch keeping service under sub-rule (1) he may apply to the Chief Examiner through the principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department of any district for re-assessment of his service citing reasons which lent ground for his dis-satisfaction. Every such request shall be accompanied by an application prescribed under rule 9 and documents, testimonials etc. required under rule 10. Every such application shall be considered on its merits by the Chief Examiner whose decision shall be final. 12. (3) Other enquiries:- All other Enquirer pertaining to any aspect of the examinations shall be addressed to the Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department of any district stating the point on which clarification is sought. Such Enquirer shall be accompanied by necessary documents for verification.

13. Fees-

Every application shall be accompanied by appropriate fees specified in Appendix 'H'.

14. Medical fitness:

Every candidate appearing for examination for any grade of Certificate of Competency shall produce a Certificate of Physical fitness from a registered Medical Practitioner as prescribed in Appendix 'I'.

15. Unsatisfactory conduct :

Where by reason of testimonial produced under rule 10, or otherwise a candidate is considered to have neglected to join a ship or a fishing vessel or to have been found guilty of gross misconduct on board, he may be required to produce satisfactory proof of good conduct at sea for a subsequent period of service not exceeding two years; provided that the Chief Examiner may, after such investigations as he may deem fit, waive the requirement of this rule in the case of any candidate or, as the case may be, reduce the period of subsequent sea service to such extent as he may deem proper.

16. Fraud, Misrepresentations and Bribery :

(1) Any person who makes, or causes to be made, or aids in making any false representation for the purpose of obtaining or for any other person any certificate of competency under these rules shall be liable to be proceeded against in a criminal court. (2) Any candidate who offers or attempts to offer any gratification to any officer of the Directorate General or the Mercantile Marine Department for the purpose of being shown any favour in the examination shall not be allowed to take the examination; nor shall he be allowed to be examined again until a period of at least twelve months has elapsed from the date of the rejection of his candidature.

17. Remission in sea service :

(1) A candidate for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Fishing vessel shall be eligible for remission in qualifying sea service as specified in sub-rule (2), (3) and (4) subject to a maximum remission of 12 months. Such remission shall not however be applicable to service on fishing vessels as specified in sub-rule (3) (a) of rule 4. (2) Any candidate who produces a certificate from the Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training, testifying to his attendance at an approved course, good conduct and proficiency shall be eligible for remission of full time spent in the Institute subject to a maximum of 12 months. (3) A candidate who has spent time under training for the examination of a fishing vessel in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nautical and Engineering College, Bombay shall on production of a certificate from the principal of the college in respect of his period of attendance, conduct and proficiency while in college,be eligible for remission to the extent of half the time spent in the college, subject to a maximum of 3 months. (4) A candidate who has obtained an approved Radar Observer's certificate, an approved Life Boatman's Certificate and an approved First Aid certificate shall, on production of such certificates be eligible for a remission of two weeks in the qualifying sea service: Provided that a candidate who has not completed the above course before appearing for the examination of Certificate of Competency of fishing vessel may be allowed such remission for the purpose of appearing for that examination.

18. Recognition of other Training Ships and Shore Bases Schools and Colleges:

(1) Any training ship of a shore based Nautical school or College other than those specified in rules 17 or 25 may apply to the Chief Examiner for grant of remission in qualifying sea service in lieu of time spent by a candidate in the said training ship, or as the case br, Nautical School or College. (2) On receipt of such application the Chief Examiner may require the syllabus, curriculum and the mode of Training of such institutions to be inspected direct the extent of remission that may be permitted in lieu of time spent by any candidate in any such institution.

19. General Assessment:

(1) Qualifying sea service, or as the case may be watch keeping service shall count from the date of engagement to the termination of such engagement after deducting the period of leave therefrom. Where a ship or a fishing vessel is laid up in a port for an unseasonably long period, that is to say that she has been laid up in a port for a period exceeding one third of the total period of service or for 4 weeks which ever is the less, such period shall not count to -wards qualifying service or, as the case may be watch keeping service. (2) Entries in the record of service or Continuous Discharge Certificate shall constitute evidence of sea service. Any tampering with such entries shall render a candidate disqualified for appearing for examination for a Certificate of Competency of any grade for a period of 12 months subject to the approval of Chief Examiners. (3) Qualifying sea service or, as the case may be, watch keeping service on any fishing vessels of not less than 15 metres in length shall be assessed at full rate. (4) Qualifying sea service or, as the case may be, watch keeping service on fishing vessels of less than 15 metres in length shall be assessed at full rate towards the qualifying service required, to a maximum of 30 months for the examination for the Certificate of Competency as Mate fishing vessel and at two-third rate to a maximum of 12 months watch keeping service for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade-I or grade-II. (5) Qualifying sea service on mechanised fishing vessels not registered under the Act may be assessed at half the rate to a maximum of 12 months provided the record of service is properly authenticated by an officer in the port or the custom department from where such vessels normally operate. (6) Qualifying sea service rendered on a tradingship shall be assessed in accordance with rule

20. Service in non-trading ships shall be assesses in accordance with rule 21. Where a candidate renders mixed service, that is to say he renders a part of such service on trading ships, a part on non-trading ships and a part on fishing vessels, all such service shall be counted towards qualifying sea service. (7) Where watch keeping service of any officer includes doubled watches during a voyage, only two-thirds of the actual watch keeping time so served shall count, subject to a maximum of 9 months. (8) The qualifying sea service or as the case may be, watch keeping service will be reckoned calendar months i.e. the time included between any given date in any month and the preceding day of the following month inclusive. The number of completed months shall first be computed, after which the number of odd days shall be counted. When computing total service the odd days shall be added together and reckoned at 30 days a month. 20. Service on trading Ships (1) Qualifying sea service required under these rules for examination for Certificate of Competency of fishing vessel; shall if rendered on a trading ship count in full, subject to the provisions of rules 4 and 19. (2) Where a candidate has served on a trading ship other than an Indian ship, his sea service shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this rule provided that such service is supported by testimonials in accordance with the provisions of rule 11.

21. Service on Non-Trading Ships

(1) Sea service in the following types of ships which are fitted with mechanical means of propulsion and which go to sea shall be submitted to the Chief Examiner for consideration. Any decision regarding acceptance of such service and the extent up to which it may be so accepted, shall be final :- (a) Ships employed by port authorities such as dredgers, hopper barges pilot vessels, survey vessels etc.; (b) Light house tenders; (c) Cable ships; (d) Oceanographic, exploration or research vessels; (e) Offshore supply ships used in offshore drilling operations; (f) Excursion ships; (g) Tugs employed beyond smooth and partially smooth waters; and (h) Power propelled yachts. (2) Sea service on such ships shall be assessed taking into account :- (a) Area of operation; (b) length of voyage; (c) actual period of stay in port and at sea and the nature of operations performed in port and at sea; and (d) nature of duties performed by the concerned officer beyond watch-keeping duties if any. (3) Application for assessment of sea service on such ships shall be submitted through the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department of any district with testimonials giving details of particulars required by sub-rule (2). Such testimonials shall be endorsed by the Master and the owner.

22. Seamen and Naval Sailors

(1) Sea service performed by seamen in the deck department of a trading ship and sea service performed by deck sailors or by visual signaling sailors in that communication branch of the Indian Navy and Coast guard shall be assessed in accordance with sub-rules (2), (3) and (4) subject to a maximum of 30 months. The period so assessed shall count towards qualifying service for examination for Certificate of Competency as Mate of fishing Vessel and the candidate shall be permitted to appear for this examination, provided he fulflis the requirement of rule 4. (2) Sea service performed in the capacity of a seaman in the deck department or as member of general purpose crew of a trading ship shall be counted in full. (3) Sea service performed by sailors in the deck department on board sea going ships of the Indian Navy and Coast guard shall be assessed at two-thirds of the actual service claimed. (4) Sea service performed by visual signaling sailors in the communication branch on board sea going ships of the Indian Navy and Coast guard shall be assessed at one-half of the actual service claimed.

23. Merchant Navy Officers

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3) of rule 5, any candidate who holds the Certificate of Competency as Second Mate of a foreign going ship or Navigational Watch Keeping Officer granted under the Merchant Shipping (Examination of Masters and Mates) Rules, 1979 shall be eligible for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade II, provided that he has at least 18 months watch keeping service on trading ships and has served at least 6 months on a flashing vessel of not less than 15 metres in length on duties associated with fishing and bridge watch keeping under the supervision of a qualified officer. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3) of rule 6, any candidate who holds Certificate of Competency as First Mate of a foreign going ship or Mate of a home trade ship granted under the Merchant Shipping (Examination of Masters and Mates) Rules, 1979 shall be eligible for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade, I provided that he has at least 30 months watch keeping service on trading ships and has served at least 6 months on a fishing vessel of not less than 24 metres in length on duties associated with fishing and bridge watch keeping under the supervision of a qualified officer. (4) Every such candidate shall also comply with sub-rules (1), (2) and (4) of rule-5 or 6, as the case may be, but he shall be exempted from the examination in parts A and C as specified in sub-rule (1) of rules 5 and 6.

24. Indian Navy Officers

(1) Any midshipman of commissioned special duty officer in the executive branch of the Indian Navy who has served on a seagoing ship of the Indian Navy or Coast guard but does not possess a full Naval watch keeping certificate shall be eligible for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Mate of flashing vessel, provided he complies with rule 4. Sea service of such officers shall be assessed in full towards qualifying service, subject to a maximum of 30 months, (2) Any commissioned officer in the executive branch on the Indian navy including a special duty officer, in possession of a full Navy watch keeping certificate shall be eligible for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade I or Grade-II, subject to sub-rule (3). (3) (A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3) of rule 5, every such candidate shall be eligible for examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade II, provided he has at least 18 months watch keeping service after obtaining the full Naval watch keeping certificate and he has served at least 6 months on a fishing vessel of not less than 15 metros in length on duties associated with fishing and bridge watch keeping under the supervision of a qualified officer. (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3) of rule 6, every such candidate shall be eligible for examination for Certificate of Competency as Skipper of flashing vessel grade I, provided he has at least 30 months watch keeping service after obtaining the full Naval watch keeping certificate and he less than 24 metres in length on duties associated with fishing and bridge watch keeping under the supervision of a qualified officer. (c) Every such candidate shall also comply with sub-rules (1) (2) and (4) of rule 5 or 6, as the case may be.

25. Remission in sea service for Indian Navy Officers

(1) Any midshipman or executive officer of the Indian Navy appearing for examination for any Certificate of Competency as mate fishing vessel shall be eligible for remission in qualifying sea service as specified in sub-rule (2), subject to maximum as 12 months. Such remission shall however not be applicable to service on fishing vessels as specified in sub-rule (3) (a) of rule 4. (2) (a) time spent by Naval cadets at the National Defense Academy, Khadakvasla shall be counted as sea service of 6 months, provided the candidate has completed the training and has successfully passed the final examination conducted by the National Defense Academy. (b) Time spent by Naval cadets or sub-Lieutenants under training at the Naval Academy, Cochin shall count at one half rate towardssea service required subject to a maximum of 6 months, provided the Naval Headquarters showing his satisfactory attendance at the Naval Academy. (c) Time spent in training courses by an officer not below the rank of acting Sub-Lieutenant at the I.N.S. 'Venduruthy' shall count at one half rate towards sea service required, subject to a maximum of 6 months, provided the candidate produces a certificate from the Naval Headquarters showing his satisfactory attendance at such courses. (d) Remissions in sea service claimed under this rule shall be in addition to those provided in rule 17; subject to a maximum of 12 months.

26. Application of Indian Navy Officers

(1) Any midshipman or executive officer in the Indian Navy including a special duty officer satisfying the requirements of rule 22 may apply for appearing for the examination in the prescribed form set out in Appendix 'F'. (2) Every such application shall be accompanied by certificate of birth, certificate from Chief of Naval Staff or any other person appointed by him on his behalf stating the full particulars of Qualifying sea service or, as the case may be, watch keeping service performed by the candidate in the Indian Navy along with particulars in respect of the Naval watch keeping certificate and of any training undergone in the training establishments within the meaning of rule 25, testimonials in accordance with rule 11 in respect of sea service in the Merchant Navy and on board fishing vessels if any and Certificate of Competency or service, if any. (3) Application shall be made to the principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department of the port of examination opted by the candidate through the Chief of Naval Staff so as to reach him not later than one month before the date of commencement of examination. Fee specified in Appendix 'H' shall be forwarded to the principal Officer directly.

27. Places and dates of examinations

(1) Examination for Certificate of Competency prescribed in these rules shall be held in the Mercantile Marine Department at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Visakhapatnam and Cochin and at any other portnotified by the Examiner in this behalf. (2) Written examination for each grade shall held on the dates and times to be notified by the Chief Examiner. (3) Date and time for oral and signals examination shall be fixed by the Examiner and sufficient advance notice thereof shall be given to the candidates.

28. Punctuality Every candidate shall present himself in the examination hall prior to the commencement of examination at the appropriate hour. Late comers shall not be admitted for examination except under special circumstances where the Examiner is satisfied that detention was caused by reasons beyond the control of the candidate. The decision of the Examiner in such matters shall be final.

29. No person other than those whose duties require them to be present will be allowed in the examination hall.

30. Loose papers and books save as provided in rule 31. no candidate shall keep any loose papers, reference books or other notes or publications in the examination hall. Any such paper, books, publications or notes shall be cleared out of the examination hall before commencement of the examination. Any default by any candidate shall be deemed to be a misconduct within the meaning of these rules and the defaulter shall be deemed to have failed in the examination. He may also be debarred from appearing for any examination under these rule for a period not exceeding 6 months, subject to the approval of Chief Examiner.

31. Provision of publications and tables (1) Every candidate shall, at the time of the appropriate examination be supplied with the following tables and books, namely:- (a) Admiralty Tide Tables for the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. (b) Indian Tide tables for Indian ports. (c) Nautical Almanac. (d) International Meteorological Codes for weather reports; and (e) Trim and Stability particulars of a selected fishing vessel. (2) Candidates shall be required to bring their own Nautical tables including Logarith-mic tables at the time of the appopriate examination. Such tables shall be free of any hand-written notes and shall be submitted to the Examiner for scrutiny before the commencement of the examination. Any default shall be deemed to be a misconduct within the meaning of these rules and the defaulter shall be deemed to have failed in the examination. He may also be debarred from appearing for any examination for a period not exceeding 3 months, subject to the approval of Chief examiner. Noirs and Burtons Nautical tables shall normally be permitted for use at the appropriate examination.

32. Instruments Candidates may, subject to prior permission of the Examiner, bring into the examination hall their own instruments and use them for answering papers. Candidates other than those appearing for the examination for Certificate of Competency as Mate of fishing vessel may be permitted to use a slide rule or an electronic calculator having four basis functions and a single memory. In either case the candidate shall be required to show the full working.

33. Damage to tables, books or instruments Any candidate who defaces, blots, over writes or otherwise damages any tables, books or instruments supplied by the Examiner for his use shall be liable to replace such damaged tables, books or instruments by new ones. Until such replacement is made documents submitted by him under rule 10 shall be retained by the Examiner and if such replacement is denied the candidate shall be deemed to have failed in the examination and shall not be permitted to appear for any examination subsequently until such replacement is made.

34. Leaving examination hall No candidate shall leave the examination hall without permission and without handing over his answer paper to the Examiner. Under no circumstances will a candidate be allowed to leave the building while his examination is in progress. Defaulters shall be deemed to have failed in the examination.

35. Answer papers (1) No candidate shall work out problems on any paper except the answer papers supplied to him. Blotting paper supplied to candidates shall not be used for rough working. Such blotting papers shall be returned to the Examiner at the end of each day. Defaulters shall be deemed to have failed in the examination. (2) All work on answer papers shall be in ink but sketches may be drawn in pencil. (3) Answer shall be written in clear and legible hand. At the commencement of answer for every question its serial number shall be written in the left hand margin of the answer paper.

36. Copying during examination Copying from answer papers of other candidates or use of unauthorised books, publications, rules for other manuscripts whatsoever or affording any other candidate assistance for copying from his own answer papers or otherwise communicating with any other candidate any information shall be strictly prohibited. Any such defaulter shall be deemed to have failed in examination. He may be also be debarred from appearing for any examination under these rules for a period not exceeding 6 months subject to the approval of Chief Examiner.

37. Misconduct Save as otherwise provided in these rules, a candidate found guilty of any misconduct, including insolence to Examiner or other examination staff or improper or disorderly conduct in the examination shall o a breach of any of these rules may be liable for punishment in one or more of the ways specified herein under, namely :- (1) Where the examination has not commenced or is not completed the candidate may be debarred from appearing for or, as the case may be, to take further part in the examination. (2) Where the result of the examination is declared, the result the candidate may be amended subject to the approval of the Chief Examiner. (3) Where the candidate has been declared successful in the examination but has not been granted the necessary certificate, the certificate may be withheld for such period as may be decided by the Chief Examiner. (4) In addition the candidate may be debarred from appearing in any examination under these rules for such period as may be specified by the Chief Examiner.

38. Syllabus Subject to the provisions of rule 48, a candidate may apply for examination in any part or parts of the examination for the Certificate of competency for which he is eligible, as specified in sub-rule (1) of rules 4,5 and 6. Syllabus for the examination for all parts shall be as specified in Appendix 'I'.

39. Written examination :

(1) Subjects in written part of the examination for each grade, time allowed for answering question paper for each subject total marks allotted to each subject and the percentage of marks required to be obtained for passing that paper and the written part shall be as specified in the following tables :-

(2) Any candidate failing in this examination for any Certificate of competency through serious weakness shown may, subject to the approval of the Chief Examiner, be required to attend a course of instruction at an approved institution for a period not exceeding 6 months; before the permitted to reappear for this examination. (3) A certificate from the head of the approved institution concerned showing period of attendance, conduct and considered to be adequate proof for permitting the candidate to re-appear.

40. Oral examination:-

(1) Every candidate for the oral part of the examination shall present himself for such examination at the appointed time. Any candidate failing to do so without reasonable grounds shall be deemed to have failed in the examination. (2) Any candidate failing in this examination for any Certificate of Competency through serious weakness in practical knowledge may be required :- (a) to perform further sea service for a period not exceeding 6 months and or (b) to attend a course of instruction at an institution for a period not exceeding 6 months before being permitted to re-appear for this examination. (3) Such sea service may be performed in any capacity on deck of a fishing vessel and provisions of rules 17 and 25 shall not apply to such additional service, Attendance at the approved institution shall be to be proved by a certificate from the head of the approved institution concerned showing period of attendance, conduct and proficiency attained during such period.

41. Signals examinations

(1) Every candidate for the signals part of the examination shall present himself for such examination at the appointed time. Any candidate failing to do so shall be deemed to have failed in the examination. (2) (a) In the morse flashing test specified in the syllabus two-third of a mark for each correct letter or numerical of the test card and five marks for each correct word of the spelling message shall be allotted. The spelling message shall consist of 12 words. (b) In the semaphore receiving test consisting of 25 words four marks for each correct word shall be allotted. (3) A candidate obtaining 90 per cent of the total marks separately in morse flashing and semaphore tests shall be deemed to have passed in the examination subject to his satisfying the Examiner of his proficiency in the remaining topic specified in the syllabus for the appropriate grade.

42. Re-examination :-

Any candidate may present himself for re-examination after one months has elapsed since his last attempt subject to provisions of rules 39 and 40.

43. Partial passes :-

(1) Where a candidate passes in any one or more parts of the examination, he shall be deemed to have passed the examination partially and such partial pass shall remain valid for a period of 12 months from the date of examination. Provided that the Cheif Examiner may, in special circumstances, extend the period of validity of partial passes by a period not exceeding 2 months. (2) Where any candidate fails to pass in all the remaining parts of the examination during the period of validity of a partial pass he shall be required to appear for that part or parts again as hts next attempt. (3) The result of a candidate who passes the examination partially shall be indicated in the form set out in Appendix 'F'. The candidate may also be given the results of the examination in the form set out in Appendix 'K' if he so desires. Both the forms prescribed shall specify the date on which the candidate has passed in the respective part of the examination, the date on which he is eligible to appear for his next attempt and, where a candidate is required to perform further sea service or attn a course of instruction, the period of such sea service attendance at such course. (4) For the purposes of this rule the date of examination means the first day of the month in which the examination was held.

44. Letter of Authority :-

(1) A candidate who passes examination under rules 39,40 and 41(and holds the additional certificates as required by rules 4,5 and 6), shall be deemed to have passed the whole examination. (2) Such successful candidate shall be given a letter of authority in the form prescribed in Appendix 'L' addressed to the principal officer of the port opted by the candidate for delivery of the Certificate of Competency in exchange thereof as and when the certificate is ready for issue. (3) Unless cancelled by or on behalf of the Chief Examiner, Letter of authority referred to in sub-rule (2) shall have the same effect as if it were a Certificate of Competency for the respective grade properly issued under these rules until such time as a Certificate of Competency is issued to the candidate.

45. Insufficient service :-

(1) If after declaration of result for any examination it is discovered that candidate who is declared to have passed the examination was not entitled to appear for it for want of sufficient sea service or, as the Competency or Letter of authority shall not be issued to him. (2) Such candidate shall be equipped to be reexamined after he has completed necessary sea service,or,as the case may be, watch keeping service. Provided that the Chief Examiner may where he is satisfied that the error in the calculation of sea service or as the case may be, watch keeping service was not due to any fault or willful mis-representation on the part of the candidate, dispense with the reexamination and in such case the Certificate of Competency or Letter of authority may be issued to the candidate after he has made up the deficiency in the service.

46. Endorsement of Certificate of Competency :-

(1) Any person holding Certificate of Competency issued under these rules may, on receiving any award from the Government, submit evidence relating to such award to the Chief Examiner together with his Certificate of Competency for an appropriate endorsement on the Certificate. (2) Any person holding a Certificate of Competency issued under these rules may, on obtaining any of the certificate specified herein under submit the same to the Chief Examiner for an endorsement relating to such Certificate being made on his Certificate of Competency, namely :- (a) Certificate of Competency granted under Merchant Shipping (Examination of Masters and Mates) rules 1979. (b) Certificate of Proficiency as Radio Officer issued by the Ministry of Communications. (c) Radar Maintenance Certificate issued or approved by the Ministry of Shipping and Transport. (d) Certificate of Service granted under section 80 of the Act.

47. Issue of Certificate true copy of Certificate of Competency -

(1) Where a Certificate of Competency or a letter of authority issued under these rules is destroyed or defaced or otherwise lost the holder may obtain a certified copy thereof from the Chief Examiner. Application for such certified copy shall be made in the form prescribed in Appendix 'M' to the Chief Examiner through the Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department of any district. Such Application shall be accompanied by a declaration explaining the circumstances in which the original Certificate of Competency or the Letter of authority was destroyed, defaced or otherwise lost. The declaration shall be made in the presence of the Principal Officer to whom the application is made for onward transmission to the Chief Examiner. (2) Every such application shall be accompanied by appropriate fees specified in Appendix 'H'. Provided that no fee shall be payable where the cause of loss of Certificate of Competency or Letter of authority is a shipwreck or a fire on board a ship.

48. Removal of difficulties :- (1) Any candidate who has passed the examination for Certificate of Competency under the provisions of Merchant Shipping (Examinations for Skippers and Seconds Hand of fishing vessels) Rules 1964 shall be eligible for the examination for Certificate of Competency under these rules as detail in the table below :-

Provided that, at the time of coming into force of these rules, any candidate with 24 months service in effective command of fishing vessel of not less than 24 metres in length or 36 months service in effective command of fishing vessels of less that 24 metres in length after obtaining the Certificate or Competency as skipper F.V. under 1964 rules, shall be exempted from the written and Signals parts of the examination for the Certificate of Competency as Skipper of fishing vessel grade-I as specified sub-rule(1) of rule 6.

(2) Any candidate who has appeared for an examination for Certificate of Competency under 1964 rules and is not successful in that examination on the date when these rules come into force, shall be permitted to appeal for an examination for Certificate of Competency as detailed below :

APPENDIX - A

See Rule 2 (j)

S. No......................

RECORD OF SERVICE

Signature of holder _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of attesting authority

Name__________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

(Please see notes on last page) Name of holder in full ________________________________________________________________________________

( BLOCK LETTERS)

Rank/Rating_____________________________________________________________________ Name of Father/local guardian______________________________________________________

Permanent home address___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ____________________________________

Date of birth _________________________________ Place_______________________________ Nationality ______________________________________________________________________ Colour of hair __________________________ Eyes___________Complexion_________________ Identification marks _______________________________________________________________ Academic qualifications ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

1. Continuous Discharge Certificate

2. Passport

3. Naval Sea Service Certificate

4. Pre-sea Training Certificate

5. Radar Observer's Certificate

6. Life Boatmen's Certificate

7. First Aid at sea Certificate

8. Survival at sea Certificate

9. Fire Fighting certificate

10. Radar Simulator Certificate

11. Radio Telephone Operator Certificate

12. Elementary Fishing Technology Certificate 13.Advanced Fishing Technology Certificate 14.__________________________________ 15.__________________________________ 16.__________________________________

17. Watch Keeping Certificate 18.__________________________________ 19.__________________________________

20. Mate of Fishing vessel Certificate of Competency

21. Skipper of Fishing Vessel Grade-II Certificate of Competency.

22. ______________________________

23. ______________________________

NOTES

1. This record shall be prepared and issued by the employer to the rating before joining the fishing vessel.

2. The entries regarding Certificate shall be filled by the rating as and when he acquires them.

3. The entries regarding fishing vessel service be made by the Skipper at the discharge from the fishing vessel. Any corrections in this table shall be duly attested by the Skipper who made the original entry.

4. This record shall remain in possession of the rating regardless of change of employment.

5. The employer and Skipper should maintain a record of made in this document for future verification or confirmation if any.

APPENDIX-B

( See rule -3(2)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

AS

SKIPPER OF FISHING VESSEL GRADE I

Issued by the Government of India.

To _____________________________________________________________________________ Where as you have been found duly qualified to fulfilthe duties of Skipper of Fishing Vessel Grade I on a fishing vessel, the Central Government in exercise of its powers under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) hereby grants you this CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.

Dated this ________________ day of __________________

Countersigned :

Chief Examiner,

egistered in the Directorate General of Shipping, Bombay.

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SHIPPING

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

AS SKIPPER OF FISNING VESSEL GRADE II

Issued by the Govt. of India.

To _____________________________________________________________________________ Whereas you have been duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Skipper of Fishing Vessel Grade II on a fishing vessel, the Central Government in exercise of its powers under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) hereby grants you this CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.

Dated this _______________ day of ______________

Countersigned :

Chief Examiner,

Registered in the Directorate General of Shipping, Bombay.

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SHIPPING.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY OF MATE OF FISHING VESSEL

Issued by the Govt. of India.

To _____________________________________________________________________________ Whereas you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Mate of Fishing Vessel on a Fishing Vessel, the Central Govt. in Exercise of its powers under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) hereby grants you this CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.

Dated this __________________ day of _______________

Countersigned :

Chief Examiner,

Registered in the Directorate General of Shipping, Bombay

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SHIPPING

APPENDIX-C (See rule 7 (1))

SYLLABUS FOR ELEMENTARY FISHING TECHNOLOGY

I. FISHING GEAR AND DESIGN

1. Introduction to Fishing Gear 2. Classification of indigenous fishing gear 3. Modern Fishing Gear and classification] 4. Basic principles of designing different types of fishing gear-gill nets, trawls, seines, lines, bag nets traps etc. 5. Mesh and mesh selectivity 6. Netting-knotted and knotholes webbing 7. Hanging ratio

II. FISHING GEAR MATERIALS

1. Introduction to fishing gear materials and selection of materials in relation to the fish and fishing methods. 2. Classification of fishing gear materials-Natural fibers and man made fibres-description and details. Properties of materials-density, strength, abortion resistance etc.- Hard ware materials. 3. Numbering system of twines and ropes-Denier, Tax, matric and conversion. 4. Construction of twines and ropes-fiber, yarn, twisting, braiding etc. 5. Steel ropes-material and construction-combination ropes 6. Floats-purpose and types-buoyancy, extra buoyancy 7. Sinkers-purpose and types

III. FISHING TECHNIQUES

1. Principles of catching fish 2. Description of different fishing methods with respect to the type of fish to be caught a. Gill netting-Basic principle a.1. Simple gill net a.2. Trammel net a.3. Combination gill nets 'vertical and horizontal combinations) a.4. Fishing depth-surface, midwater and bottom-net and drift. b. Seining (encircling)-Basic principle b.1. Beach seine of shore seine b.2. Boat seine- Lampara, purse seine c. Trawling-Basic principle c.1. Classification of trawls- Beam trawl, otter trawl, out rigger trawl and mid water trawling. d. Fishing with lines d.1. Simple line, multiple hand line and long line. d.2. Tuna long lining d.3. Sharp and other fish long lining e. Set bag nets-basic principle e.1. Stake nets f. Trap fishing-Basic principles

IV. DECK EQUIPMENTS

1. Introduction to deck equipment and their purpose 2. Different types of deck equipments for various types of fishing 2.1 Trawl winch 2.2 Purse seine winch 2.3 Combination winch 2.4 Net winch (net drum) 2.5 Line hailers/gill net hailer and gurdie long line hailer 2.6 Hand reels 2.7 Fair leads 2.8 Power block and transfer blocks 3. Working principles of the above

V. FISHING ACCESSORIES

1. Otter-boards, kites or elevators, suppressors, beams, trawl heads-purpose 2. Floats, sinkers, Danleno-purpose 3. Purse rings, shackles, thimbles, G. link, Kelly's eye, with-stopper Link 4. Chafing gear

VI. DECK LAYOUT Various types of deck layouts for different types of fishing including combinations.

1. Gill neuters- Bow pickers, stern picker and reel gill netter 2. Trawler- Stern trawler, side trawler and out-rigger trawler 3. Purse-seiner 4. Long-liner 5. Combination vessels etc. (Trawler-purse seiner, trawler gill netter, multipurpose)

VII. FISHING BIOLOGY AND FISH HANDLING

1. Marine environment 2. Migration of fishes 3. Marine Fisheries of India 4. Handling of fish on board

VIII. OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE METEOROLOGY

1. Atmosphere, Atm. pressure, water vapour in the atmosphere, visibility, clouds 2. Pressure gradient and wind. General pressure and wind distribution in the Indian Ocean- periodic and local winds 3. Weather messages 4. Net instruments normally used in fishing vessels

IX. FISH FINDING

1. Elementary acoustics 2. Electronic equipments used in fishing

X. FISHING GEAR PRACTICALS

1. Basicnetting - meshbar, mesh size - stretch mesh and cross mesh (run with the mesh and across mesh) 2. Net making implements-Needle and gauge 3. Basic net making-practice with trawl knot reef knot (square knot double knot etc.) 4. Shaping of netting by trading-creasing, baiting 5. Shaping of netting by tailoring 6. Hanging (mounting) of netting, Top & side mounting, different methods Hanging ratio. 7. Joining of netting 8. Mending 9. Splicing-rope splicing and wire rope splicing

APPENDIX-D (See rule 7 (2)

SYLLABUS FOR ADVANCED FISHING TECHNOLOGY COURSE

I. FISHING GEAR AND DESIGN

1. Introduction to fishing gear- Basic principles of catching fish 2. Classification of modern fishing gear 3. Principles of designing different types of fishing gear a. Gill net a.1 Surface gill net a.2 Bottom gill net Set and drift a.3 Trammel net a.4 Vertical combination and horizontal combination net 4. Netting-mesh, bar, stretch mesh, cross mesh 5. Shaping of netting braiding, tailoring 6. Importance of hanging ratios for different type of fishing gear, with respect to the type of fish

II. FISHING GEAR MATERIALS

1. Different kinds of netting materials-natural and synthetic 2. Selection of materials in relation to fish and fishing methods-specific gravity, abrasion resistance diameter twist, strength sinking speed etc. 3. Selection of steel wire ropes and combinations ropes-construction, flexibility strength

III. FISHING TECHNIQUE

1. Modern fishing methods 1.1 Description of the important types of modern fishing methods 1.2 Recent developments and improvements on modern fishing methods like aimed trawling, purse-seining with light, electric fishing etc. 1.3 Mid water trawling-single boat and two boat 2. Gill nets Simple gill net, trammel net, gill net with vertical and horizontal combinations-surface, bottom and column-set and drift 3. Hook and line fishing 3.1 Reel hand lines for kalava 3.2 Tuna long lining 3.3 Shark long lining 3.4 Lining for other fishes 3.5 Squid jigging 3.6 Trap fishing

IV. DECK EQUIPMENTS

1. General deck equipment, winches gurdies, line haulers, power blocks. Heaving net winches-net drums, reels, fair leads, bollards etc. 2. Deck fishing equipment (a) Trawl which (in line and paralle (drum) - description, working, capacity (wire capacity and load taking capacity ) speed and selection (b) Purse-seince winch (as above) (c) Combination winches - (as above) (d) Split winches - (as above) (e) Net winches - (as above) (f) Gurdie - Description, working, speed, load taking, capacity, selection (g) Line hauler- (h) Hand line reels - description, working capacity and selection (i) Transfer block - description, working and selection (k) Trawl eye winch (cable winch) (l) Net cable winch (m) Tripler net winch - description and function

V. FISHING ACCESSORIES

1. Otter boards 1. (a) Rectangular 1. (b) Oval 1. (c) V - Form 1. (d) Vertical curved 1. (e) Horizontal curved - selection of other boards 2. Beams (for beam trawls) description, size. 3. Trawl head (for beam trawls) description, working and shapes 4. Kites/ elevators-description, working and types 5. Supressors-discription, working and types 6. Danleno-function, types and description 7. Floats, sinkers, bobbins, ground rope etc. function, description , types, selection 8. Purse-rings, cod end rings, shackles, swivels, thimbles-function, description , types and selection 9. Fair leads- function, description and shapes 10. Billiards, cleats, capstan etc. 11. Hydrographic winch-purpose

VI. DECK LAYOUT

1. Gill nether Type and size of vessel ,deck space, position of engine, deck layout for efficient operation, installation of the appropriate deck equipment for handling the gear (bow picker, stern picker, reel gill nether). 2. Trawler 2. (a) Stern trawler Type of winch, type of fairleads, type of gallows, positioning and installation, arrangements for ramp type stern trawling, leading of towing warps, arrangements for heaving cod ends, arrangement for outrigger trawling. (b) Side trawler- winch, fair leads, gallows, towing blocks-type, size selection, positioning and installation (c) Out-rigger trawler Type of winch, type of fairleads, type of gallows, positioning and installation, arrangements for ramp, type stern trawling, leading of towing warps, arrangements for heaving cod ends, arrangements for out-rigger trawling. (d) Purse-seiner (d) 1. Purse-seine winch (type, capacity, speed- selection, positioning and installation) (d) 2. Purse- davit-type, positioning and installation (port-side or starboard side-direction of encircling-clockwise/anticlockwise) (d) 3. Bowthruster, stern thruster-function (d) 4. Net hauling winch (triplex net winch)-function, type, positioning and installation . (d) 5. Power blocks - capacity, speed, type, positioning and installation (d) 6. Transfer block-type, positioning and installation (d) 7. Net chute-positing long liner-size of vessel and endurance in relation to fishing ground (a) Long line hauler-type, size, speed (variable speed) selection, positioning and installation (b) Shooting tray and chute-positioning (c) Bait-bait container-storage (d) Conveyor system while hauling (e) Rail roller-type function, position and installation (f) Positioning of fish hold and capacity (g) Processing facility (h) Typical deck arrangements for the above with possible alternatives Combination vessels-best type of combination for efficient operations.

VII. FISHING BIOLOGY AND FISH HANDLING

1. Interrelationship between plankton and pelagic fisheries benthic organisms and bottom fisheries. 2. Important commercial fishery resources of India. 3. Fish behavior in relation to fishing gear. 4. Fish handling.

VIII. FISH FINDING

1. Electronics in fishing 2. Fish sounder, Sonar and Net sonde, Practical application 3. Interpretation of echo grams

IX. OCEANOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY

1. Fish behavior in relation to environmental conditions 2. Weather warning

X. FLEET MANAGEMENT

1. Organisation of fishing fleet Type and size of vessel required vis-a-vis resources/fishing grounds/methodology 2. Shore facilities 2 (a) Berthing-loading/unloading 2 (b) Bunkering 2 (c) Fresh water 2 (d) Storage 2.d.1 Cold storage/ice plant d. 2. Fishing spares d.3. Engine spares d.4. General 2. (E) Processing-freeing/canning 3. Management of personnel.

APPENDIX-E (See Rule-(8)

SIGHT TESTS PART-I

1. Preliminary :-

(a) The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the candidate's eye-sight is sufficiently good to enable him to pick up and identify correctly the lights of distant ships at sea. Experience has show a that for this purpose he must be able to reach certain minimum standards in both form and colour vision. (B)The tests employed are a letter test and a "lantern test" details of which are given below. The letter test is a test of form vision only and the lantern test is one of form and colour vision combined. (C) The Examiner shall keep a record of all mistakes made by the candidate both in the letter test and in the lantern test.

2. Application :-

(a) Every candidate who is going out to sea to serve in the deck department of any vessel for the first time and any other candidate who desires to undergo the sight test other than as part of the examination for a Certificate of Competency, shall apply in the form prescribed in Annexure to this Appendix and shall pay the fees prescribed in Appendix 'H'. (B) A candidate for examination for Certificate of competency shall not be required to make a separate application for sight test and no fees shall be paid by him other than the fees prescribed in Appendix 'H' for the examination for a Certificate of Competency.

PART-II LETTER TEST

3. Apparatus :-

The first test which the candidate shall be required to undergo shall be the letter test conducted on Scellen's principle by means of sheets of letters. On each sheet the fifth, sixth and seventh lines correspond to standards 6/12, 6/9 and 6/6 respectively.

4. Artificial aids :-

Before the commencement of the test, the candidate who is not a new entrant shall advise the Examiner whether or not he intends to use artificial aids to form vision. Such aids shall constitute of either spectacles or contact lenses. Tinted lenses shall not be permitted.

5. Standards of vision required :

(a) Candidate will be tested in each eye separately (b) A candidate, other than a new entrantt, who attempts the sight test without the use of artificial aids shall be required to read down to and including the seventh line with the better eye and down to and including the sixth line with the other eye. (c) A candidate, other than a new entrant, who attempts the sight test using artificial aids shall be required :- (i) with artificial aids, to read down to and including the seventh line with the better eye and down to and including the sixth line with the other eye; and (ii) without artificial aids, to read down to and including the fifth line with the better eye and down to and including the third line with the other eye. (d) A candidate who is a new entrant shall be required to read down to and including the seventh line with the better eye and down to and including the sixth line with the other eye. He shall also be required to read all letters in the seventh line with both the eyes. He shall not be permitted to use artificial aids.

6. Method of testing

(a) The test card shall be mounted at a convenient height and shall be properly illuminated. Daylight shall not be used. The testing room shall be moderately lighted so that extreme contrast between the test card and background is avoided. (b) The candidate shall stand exactly 6 metres from the card facing it squarely. He shall then be required to read the letters on the sheet from left to right beginning at the top and going downwards. (c) Care shall be taken, by varying the order of the test sheets, to guard against the possibility of any deception on the part of the candidate.

7. Failure :-

If the candidate fails to reach the standard required on the first sheet, he shall be tested with sheets. If he fails to reach the standard in at least 3 of the 4 sheets the following alternatives may be explained to him. (a) He may break off the test and present himself for resetting in not less than three months, in which case a certificate of failure shall be issued to him in form prescribed in Annexure-II to this Appendix; or (b) If he is not a new entrant and has not used artificial aids at his first attempt, he may present himself for resetting any time with artificial aids, or (c) He may proceed to the lantern test. In this case, a record of all mistakes made in the letter test and all mistakes, if any made in the lantern test shall be forwarded to the Chief Examiner who shall decide whether the candidate has passed or failed in the sight test.

PART-III LANTERN TEST

8. Apparatus :-

(a) A special lantern and a mirror shall be provided for this test. The test is to be conducted in a room so darkened as to exclude all light. (b) The lantern shall be placed directly in front of the mirror so that the front part of the lantern shall be exactly 3.05 metres from the mirror and in such a position that the light reflected in the mirror show clearly when viewed by the candidate on the left of the lantern.

9. Artificial aids :

A candidate, other than a new entrant, who has used artificial aids in the letter test may continue to the such aids in the lantern test.

10. Darkness adaptation :

If a candidate makes mistakes at the beginning of the lantern test, he shall be kept in a completely or partially darkened room for at least a quarter of an hour and shall then begin the test again.

11. Method of testing :

(a) The lantern supplied for the test shall be so constructed as to allow 1 large or 2 small lights to be visible and is fitted with glasses of 3 colours viz. Red, white and green. At the beginning of the test the candidate shall be shown a series of lights through the large apertures and he shall be required to name the colours as they appear. (b) Subsequently 4 full circuit and 1 broken circuit with the 2 small apertures shall be shown to the candidate who will name the colours of each set of 2 lights from left to right.

12. Result :

(a) If a candidate does not make any mistakes in the lantern after passing the letter test, he shall be deemed to have passed the whole test and the Examiner shall issue a certificate to that effect in the form prescribed in Annexure-II to this Appendix. (c) If a candidate makes any other mistakes in the lantern test i.e.: if he calls white as "Red" or red as "White" or confuses between green and white, his case shall be submitted to the Chief Examiner and he shall be informed that the decision as to whether he has passed or failed or must undergo a further test, shall be communicated to him in due course. Pending the receipt of the Chief Examiner's instructions the candidate may be allowed to proceed with his examination for a Certificate of Competency on the express understanding that this examination will be cancelled in the event of his failure in the sight test.

13. Re-testing of unsuccessful candidates :

A candidate who fails in the lantern test shall not again be tested locally, unless the Chief Examiner directs that he may be so tested.

PART-IV SPECIAL EXAMINATION AND APPEALS

14. Special examination :-

In the case of any candidate who is referred to the Chief Examiner under the provisions of sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 12, the Chief Examiner may make arrangements for a special examination.

15. Appeals :-

A candidate who is adjudged to have failed in the lantern test may appeal for a review. In every such case, the Chief Examiner shall make arrangements for examination of the candidate. Every such appellant shall pay appropriate fee as prescribed in Appendixes which shall be refunded to him if he is declared to have passed the examination.

16. Examination Board :-

The special and appeal examinations shall be conducted by a Board consisting of Chief Examiner or his nominee and a specialist adviser on eye sight appointed by the Chief Examiner.

17. Punctual attendance :-

(a) Whenever any special or appeal examination by Board is arranged, the Chief Examiner shall give sufficient advance notice of the date and time of such examination to the candidate. (b) Any candidate who is unable to attend the examination shall immediately inform the Chief Examiner of his inability and reasons therefore. If satisfied, the Chief Examiner may alter the program of examination and give notice to the candidate of revised time schedule of the examination. (c) If any candidate for special examination under paragraph 14, fails to appear for the examination at the appointed date and time, the Chief Examiner may defer his examination by an indefinite period. (d) If a candidate, being an appellant under paragraph 15, fails to appear for the examination at the appointed date and time, the fee paid by him shall be forfeited. Arrangement for his examination by the Board on any other date may be made on payment of a further fee under paragraph 15.

18. Failures :-

(a) Where, on examination any candidate appearing before the Board under paragraph 14 for 15 as found to have a permanent defect in his eyesight which renders him unfit for a sea career, such candidate shall be finally rejected and may not be permitted to appear for sight test on any occasion in future except under paragraph 19. (b) Any candidate who fails in the examination but is not finally rejected by reason of being found to be free from any permanent eye defect, may, at his choice appear before the Board for examination as an appellant under paragraph 15 after a lapse of three months from the date of examination or seek re-examination under paragraph 19.

19. Re-examination :-

(a) Any candidate who fails in the appeal examination whether due to permanent defect in eye or not may seek re-examination by the Board in the presence of an ophthalmic surgeon appearing on his behalf on payment of fee prescribed in Appendix (E). This fee shall not be refunded whether the candidate is finally adjudged to have passed or failed. (b) The date and time of the re-examination shall be fixed by the Chief Examiner in consultation with candidate and ophthalmic surgeon. If the candidate fails to appear for the re-examination, the fee shall be forfeited. Arrangement for re-examination on any other date shall be made only on payment of further fee under this paragraph.

ANNEXURE-I

Rotation No. (Official use only)

APPLICATION FOR SIGHT TEST

(1) Place of Examination : _____________________________________________

(2) (a) Surname : _____________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS)

(b) full name : _____________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS)

(3) Permanent address : _____________________________________________ ______

(4) Discharge Book No. (If any) : _____________________________________________

(5) Nationality : _____________________________________________

(6) Date of Birth : _____________________________________________

(7) Place of Birth : _____________________________________________

(8) Height (cms) : _____________________________________________

(9) Colour of eyes : _____________________________________________

(10) Complexion : _____________________________________________

(11) Identification Marks : _____________________________________________

(12) Rank (if serving at sea) : _____________________________________________

(13) If about to go to sea : _____________________________________________

(a) Name of company : _____________________________________________

(b) Capacity : _____________________________________________

(14) (a) Date of previous eye sight test : _____________________________________________

(b) Results : PASSED/FAILED

Declaration of candidate : I hereby declare that the particulars stated above are correct and true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I further declare that except as stated in Column 14. I was not examined in an eyesight test held in any Mercantile Marine Department. I wear/do not wear artificial aids to vision. Signature of candidate

The above declaration was signed in presence of___________________________________________ Examiner of Masters and Mates, Mercantile Marine Department ...................................... District.

B. A fee of Rs. ................. was received for examination in sight test

Signature ................................. Date : ............................ Place : ..........................

C. EXAMINERS CERTIFICATE : I hereby certify that the candidate described above was examined in sight test under the provisions of appendix 'B' of the Merchant Shipping (Examination of Skippers and Mate of Fishing Vessel) Rules, 1981.

*The result of the test was as follows :- With or without aids to vision Form Colour Results Standard__________________________________________________________________________ New Entry____________________________________________________________________________ 1. He may be examined at any time with artificial aids to vision 2. He may be examined after a lapse of three months. 3. He may not be examined again without the prior approval of the Chief Examiner

EXAMINER Note : If failed or to be referred for further advise, one copy of this application form shall be forwarded to the Chief Examiner with detailed report.

*Where not examined, indicate by stating N.E. Delete if not applicable.

ANNEXURE - II

SIGHT TEST CERTIFICATE

Full Name : ........................................................................................................................... ( BLOCK LETTERS) Date of birth ................................ Place............................ Rank .............................. Height ................................ Colour of eyes ......................................... Hair ..................................... Complexion .......................................... Identification Marks ............................................................................................................................................... Result of examination........................................... *with/without artificial aids to vision

*1. May be examined locally any time with artificial aids 2. May be examined locally in three months time. 3. May not be examined locally except by order of the Chief Examiner * Delete the words that do not apply. ....................................................................................................................................................................................

I hereby certify that the particulars contained above are correct. Dated at ......................... District, this ................. day of .................... 19 ..................... Signature of examiner :

Signature of candidate :

Note : The candidate should produce this Certificate when applying for re-examination.

APPENDIX F

See Rules 9 (1), 26 (1), 43 (3)

Rotation No ............... (Official use only)

APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION OF SKIPPERS & MATE OF FISHING VESSEL

1. Grade of Examination ...............................................................................................................

2. Place of Examination : BOMBAY/CALCUTTA/MADRAS/VISAKHAPATNAM/COCHIN

3. (A) Surname ................................................................. (IN BLOCK LETTERS)

(b) Full name ................................................................... (as on records BLOCK LETTERS)

4. (a) Permanent address : .................................................................................. .................................................... (b) Present address:....................................................................