Technical Circular No: 011/2022
Download PDF1. Indian Administration vide DGS Order No. 08 of 2022 has informed that the STCW certificates issued with a validity of 18 months, after completing the 3- Tier programme, but without undergoing practical training at MTI have been extended under the following terms and conditions:
a. Case 1: Seafarers who have completed six (6) months sea-service within the validity of 18 months STCW certificate, their certificate stands extended by 12 months from date of expiry.
b. Case 2: Seafarers who are currently on board as on 15 February 2022 (date of issue of DGS Order No. 8 of 2022), their 18 months validity certificates stands extended till sign-off or 12 months whichever is earlier.
c. Case 3: Seafarers who are now ashore and intend to join ship on or before 28th February 2022, their 18 months valid certificate stands extended till sign-off or 12 months whichever is earlier.
d. Case 4: Seafarers who are now ashore, whose 18 months valid certificate have expired or are going to expire, but intend to join on board ship on or after 1st March 2022, their 18 months valid certificate stands extended by 12 months from the date of expiry provided these seafarers complete the DGS e-learning course (Tier-I) at no additional cost for obtaining such extension.
2. Seafarers and the shipping companies, including Recruitment and placement Service providers are required to ensure that the concerned seafarers have a print-out of their sea service record and applicable Tier-I course completion record (if any) from the seafarers Master checker profile. Further, the shipping companies need to demonstrate their responsibilities as required under Regulation I/l and section A-I/l4 of the STCW on "Responsibilities of Companies".
3. The above extensions granted vide DGS Order No. 08 of 2022 is only applicable for all those seafarers who have obtained 18 months valid STCW certificates after going through the 3-Tier programme and is not applicable for seafarers who have obtained certificates with validity of five (5) years. These seafarers for revalidating their certificates need to undergo the refresher courses as per the existing DGS procedures.
4. Owners/ operators and masters of Indian flagged vessels are advised to be guided by above.
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.