Conversion of Fishing Vessel Certificate of Competence to Merchant Navy Certificate of

Competency under M.S. (STCW) Rules, 1998.

M.S. Notice 24 of 2003

No. 7-NT(19)/2002 Dated: October 1, 2003

Sub: Conversion of Fishing Vessel Certificate of Competency to Merchant Navy Certificate of

1.INTRODUCTION

1. Fishing vessel personnel working on board Indian fishing vessels were issued certificate
of competency under Merchant Shipping (Examination for Skipper and 2nd Hand of a
Fishing Vessel) Rules 1964 subsequently amended by Merchant Shipping (Examination
of Skippers and Mate of Fishing Vessels) Rules 1987. The provisions under the stated
rules did not comply with Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers,1978 Convention or Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers (Fishing) Convention in totality.
2. Based on the above certificates of competency, many Fishing Vessel Personnel found
employment on smaller vessels in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, West African waters,
offshore fields and other restricted operation. Such personnel mainly, sailed on support
vessels, stand-by vessels, survey and research vessels of less than 500 GT mainly
operating in Tropical waters (areas roughly between parallels of Latitude 23- North and
South). They proved themselves proficient in the area of responsibilities assigned to
them and continued gainful employment till 31st January 2002 i.e. prior to
implementation of STCW 78/95 Convention.
3. Consequent to adoption and coming in force of STCW 95 Code, such personnel of
Fishing Vessels Certificate of Competency (COC) were no longer permitted to work on
stand-by, support vessels or other aforesaid vessels w.e.f. 1st February 2002. Since the
Fishing Vessel COCs were not issued in accordance with STCW 78 Convention, they
could not be converted to STCW 95 COCs.
4. Recognizing that COC held by such officers coupled with hands on experience gained
on such vessels ensured adequate restricted competency for stated purpose, the
 arrangement in place for such officers had worked well and that the redundancy of these
arrangements has caused undue hard ship to the officers concerned, created manning
difficulties (of reliable and trained officers) and social problem of unemployment to such
officers working in this sector, matter was carefully examined at this Directorate.
5. It was observed that whilst proficiency in Navigation function was adequate, there were
inadequacies in topics such as Cargo Work and Ship Operation & Care of Personnel in
syllabus of Fishing grade examination system when compared with competences of
STCW Code.
6. Understanding the need for conversion and taking cognizance of the experience and
competence of such certificate holders, the Directorate General of Shipping (D. G.
Shipping) has decided to adopt a process for issuance of restricted (R) certification to
such Certificate of Competency holders. These inadequacies ( in cargo and ship
operation function) are intended to be met with in oral examination and the criteria for
such conversion are mentioned under the sub-title New Certification (R) further in this
M.S. Notice.

2. PROVISIONS

1. Under Regulation 46 of Indian M.S. (STCW) Rules 1998, the Directorate can issue such
limited certificate. Similar provisions under Article IX of STCW 78/95 Convention allow
administrations to adopt or retain equivalent standards for special type of trades.
Further, provisions under regulation II/3.7 (exemptions) permit administrations to exempt
from the full requirements of regulation II/3 and STCW Code A-II/3 to a reasonable and
practicable extent bearing in mind safety of all ships, which may be operating in those
waters.
2. Therefore, under the aforesaid provisions, D.G. Shipping exercising powers vested
under section 456 of Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, hereby approves following
procedures for conversion of Fishing Grade COC into Nautical Grade COC (restricted)
for above mentioned justifiable reasons.

3. APPLICATION
 1. The provisions of this M.S. Notice are applicable to persons holding COC issued under
either M.S. (Examination for Skipper and 2nd Hand of A Fishing Vessel) Rules 1964, or
(as amended by) M.S. (Examination of Skippers and Mate of Fishing Vessels) Rules
1987 and having sailing experience on type of offshore support vessels (as stated below
under Para 3.2) on or before 31.1.2002 (i.e. prior to enforcement date of M.S. STCW
Rules, 1998). No further relaxation will be considered for such candidates. "This
exemption shall remain only one time measure".

Such officers should also qualify under one of the following categories:-

Experience as uncertificated officer in last 5 years

A Skipper Grade-I (1987 Rules) 12 months in command .

Skipper Grade-II (1987 Rules) or

Mate of F/ V (1987 Rules) or 2nd

Mate of Fishing Vessel (1987 36 months as Navigational Watch-keeping Officer

2) For the purpose of above categories, service on one or more of following of type "i">

type of vessels (less than 500 GT) will be permitted:

1. Standby Vessels.
2. Seismic Survey Vessels.
3. Oceanographic Vessels.

4. DEFINITIONS

1) For the purpose of this notification, following definitions (unless expressed otherwise) shall
apply-
(a) New Certificate means a certificate issued in accordance with this Notification in compliance
with provisions of STCW 78/95 valid for Restricted (R) trade (as expressed therein) applicable
for area bounded by parallels of 23- North and South, extending upto a limited plying range (as
expressed therein) from nearest coast line or base port.

(b) Base port means a Home Port or Offshore facility which extends operational and logistic
support to vessels plying in that region.

5. NEW CERTIFICATION (R) PROCESS

A candidate qualifying under one of the above categories can apply in prescribed form (Annex-
II) to Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mumbai/Kolkata/Chenna. On satisfactory
compliance with the 'Additional Requirements' listed below, he will be assessed for conversion
of Fishing Grade COC to Nautical Grade COC as applicable. Eligible cases will be forwarded to
the Nautical Branch of D.G. Shipping for issuance of New Certificate. This process is described
in Annex -I.

Notes:

i. Fee structure, other details, oral syllabus, etc. will be publicized through notice boards of
various examination centers
ii. All applicants prior to making application (on Annex II) are required to obtain INDos
number from Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research,
Mumbai in accordance with M.S. Notice No. 2 of 2001.
iii. Further progress is possible by obtaining additional appropriate approved sea service,
attending prescribed courses and passing prescribed examination.
iv. Requirements for upgrading/Revalidating such certificates shall be issued in due course
of time.

This notice is issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping & Ex-officio
Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

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