M.S. Notice 05 of 2012

Subject: Replacement of Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarers Identity Document (CDC) issued under the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 1960-reg.

1. The difficulties faced in applying for replacement Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) for the CDC's, issued under the said M.S.(CDC) Rules, 1960, were addressed by the Directorate General of Shipping through the M. S. Notice No. 23 of 2003 [F. No.72 (1)CR/2001] dated 25.08.03, and later on four occasions vide the M. S. Notice No. 9 of 2004 [F. No.27(1)CR/2001] dated 25.08.04, M. S. Notice No. 14 of 2005 [F. No. 27(1)/CRA/2001-II] dated 28.10.05, M.S. Notice No. 17 of 2008 [F. No. 27(1)/CR/2001] dated 02.09.08 and M. S. Notice No. 2 of 2011[F. No. 27(1)/CR/2001-II] dated 08.02.11, thereby extending the opportunity to such seafarers to apply for replacement CDC, upto 31.12.11.

2. Though such applications were received in the said extended window period upto 31.12.11, this office continues to receive representations from seafarers who had continued to sail with their old Continuous Discharge Certificates, issued under the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 1960, for and issuance of new CDCs.

3. Now, therefore, noting that existing seafarers need to be issued with new CDCs, so that they can continue their gainful employment at sea, the Competent Authority in this office has extended the cut-off date for receiving applications for an issuance of new Continuous Discharge Certificates to the existing seafarers who are in possession of Continuous Discharge Certificates issued under the M. S. (CDC) Rules, 1960 to 31.12.13, subject to an adherence of the following procedures by the issuing authority concerned (Shipping Master);

1. Old entries viz., CDC number, name, identification mark, if any, signature, photograph and other personal details etc. are required to be verified and matched with the existing available records in the office of the Shipping Master.
2. A unique CDC number of the old CDC is retained for the 'replaced CDC'.
3. As per the prevailing procedures, such applications are received by post and CDCs are issued to such persons, by post only. The details of new/replaced CDCs are recorded to writing in the concerned CDC registers.
4. Noting that it may be difficult to match the photographs and signatures which may have altered, over time, recent documents such as Certificate of Competency, certificate of modular courses or passport etc. may also be checked.
5. Such candidates have to satisfactorily complete the prescribed, 4 STCW Modular Courses from the DGS approved maritime training institutes.
6. Such candidates has to submit applications there to after obtaining Indian National Data-base of Seafarers (INDOS) Nos., which is mandatory.
7. Such applications shall also submit of their next of kin details, if not given earlier or if different from the earlier given ones in their said applications.

4. This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India.

Sd/-

(C. Rethinadhas)

Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)