The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on May 21, 2024, issued a draft crew branch circular regarding the implementation of the seafarer Identification System and Renewal process for Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Documents (BSID).
The following has been stated: -
•The implementation of a universal identification system for seafarers was introduced through the introduction of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention C-108 on Seafarers' Identity Document 1958.
•India ratified this convention and promulgated Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules 1993 and subsequently suppressed these rules and issued Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarer’s Identity Document) Rules, 2001 and continued issuing Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) cum Seafarers' Identity Document (SID) to their seafarers under these rules.
•The Directorate after receiving complaints that Indian seafarers issued with CDCs before 2017, bearing the inscription "Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarer’s Identity Document" are facing validation issues with respect to SID compliance.
•Some of the measures taken to streamline the complexities are as follows: -
(i)The CDCs issued with the aforementioned inscription as "Continuous Discharge Certificate cum-Seafarer’s Identity Document " will now be treated solely as CDC booklets for displaying seafarers’ sea service records and voyage details etc.
(ii)it is clarified that the BSID is valid for 10 years, with renewal required to be carried out after the first 5 years.
(iii)The BSID issued in 2019 will need to be renewed in the first five years (i.e., year 2024). The renewal process for BSID issued in 2019 will commence in 2024 and seafarers may apply for renewal within six (06) months prior to the expiry of their BSIDs.
(iv)Irrespective of the Shipping Master office where the BSID was issued earlier, seafarers are free to choose any approved locations they wish to renew their BSID as per their choice and convenience.
The detailed circular is given in the document below.
[Circular No. File No.: 23-MISC/26/2024-CREW-DGS (Comp. No.: 28490)]
