Technical Circular No: 046/2021
Download PDF1. In view of the continuing pandemic posed by Covid-19, Indian Administration vide DGS Order No. 29 of 2021 has granted extension of Certificate of Competency (CoCs) and/or Certificate of Proficiency (CoPs) until 31.12.2022 or one contract, whichever is earlier and irrespective of whether a seafarer has availed extension under any previous DGS Order/SOP subject to meeting the following conditions:
a. The seafarer who is ashore at the time of issuance of this order (09 August 2021) joins ship on/prior to 31 December 2021.
b. A seafarer who is on ship on the date of issuance of this order (09 August 2021) and his certificates are expiring during his contract or has availed benefit of extension under any previous order: His certificates are deemed extended until the completion of this contract or 31 December 2022, whichever is earlier. However, he will not get benefit of extension under this order provided he signs-off after expiry of his certificates.
c. A seafarer on ship on the date of issue of this order (09 August 2021) and has not availed benefit of extension under this order or any previous order can avail benefit of extension under paragraph 1 above provided he joins his next ship within 120- days of sign-off or prior to 31 March 2022, whichever is earlier.
2. The above extension is also subject to the following which is to be verified by shipowners or RPSL Companies prior employing the seafarer:
a. Master and Officer who are ashore demonstrate continued professional competence on the date of issue of this Order (09 August 2021) by following way:
i. Extension of COC/COP under Regulation II, III, IV or VI of the STCW Convention except Dangerous cargo Endorsements: Section A-I/11 of the STCW Convention - Professional Competence: Continued professional competence as required under regulation I/11 shall be established by: Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of at least twelve (12) months in total during the preceding five years, or three (3) months in total during the preceding six months.
ii. COP for Dangerous cargo under Regulation V of the STCW Convention: Continued professional competence for tankers as required under Regulation I/11 shall be established by approved seagoing service performing duties appropriate to the endorsement held, for a period of 3-months in last 5-years.
iii. There is no requirement for demonstration of continuous professional competence for rating, electro-technical officers and other petty officers such as fitter, pump-man etc., who have sailed on ships in last 5-years.
3. Ship owners/ operators/ RPSL and masters of Indian flagged ships are advised to be guided by above.
4. This Technical Circular supersedes and revokes earlier Technical Circular No. 023/2021, dated 10th May 2021.
Enclosure:
Disclaimer:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.