DGS Crew Branch Circular No. 29 of 2020
https://marinerscircle.com/Subject: Relaxation to update the e-profiles of seafarers who got stuck during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in various countries
Date: Aug 5th, 2020
1. The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global crisis that has impacted all aspects of life and badly affected the work environment. In the maritime sector, it has severely impacted the ship to shore interactions, including crew changes.
2. The seafarers who had signed-off from the vessel due to completion of their contractual period and due to non-availability / suspensions of international flights got stuck up in various countries.
3. As a result of foregoing, the Shipowners / RPS agencies are facing difficulties in updating the “Sign-off Ship” and “Sign-off Shore” dates/details in E-Profiles of all these seafarers.
4. Considering the prevailing situations and various representations/correspondences received from the RPS Companies regarding the same, the Directorate hereby grants a one-time relaxation to all the ship owners / RPS agencies regarding submission of fees/ penal amount in the Bharatkosh for the delay in signing-off and grants permission for making all these updates in the e-profiles of all seafarers who have signed-off the vessel during the lockdown.
5. The procedures for applying for such exemptions are as following:
5.1. Request letter on email from RPSL / Shipowner to Crew branch (Email: crews-dgs@nic.in/ deepak.khemu-dgs@gov.in) giving details i.e., name of the Seafarer, INDoS number, passport number, date of sign-off from ship and date of arrival in India and including the reason for not uploading the sign-off details of the seafarer.
5.2. Along with the application request, RPSL/ Shipowner also shall enclose the relevant copies of the CDC & passport showing the date of sign-off from ship and arrival in India. 6. This issues with the approval of Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India.