13/02/2017
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, Gol, MUMBAI
NOTICE
ATTENTION: ALL SEAFARERS (PRESENT & PROSPECTIVE)
Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India has noted with concern, the
rise in number of complaints received from seafarers who are cheated/ fleeced by
unauthorized recruitment and placement agents under pretext of offering them
placement on board foreign flag ships. Common problems reported by the seafarers are;
1. In an event of seafarers meeting with an accident, injury, stranding or any
other mishap, the unauthorized agencies do not provide any kind of
assistance for repatriation / medical aid / compensation etc.
2. Such unauthorized agencies do not provide assistance or make intervention
in disputes regarding wages/compensation, arising between the seafarers
and the foreign flag ship owners.
3. In case of demise of the seafarer, unauthorized agencies avoid taking up
responsibility of bringing mortal remains or arranging compensation.
2. In all the above mentioned complaints, it becomes difficult for DGS, GoI to
directly take up the matter with the foreign flag ships, as they do not come under
its jurisdictional control. It is therefore, requested that placement through
unauthorized agencies may strictly be avoided, as it may lead to complications
/problems for the seafarers. It may be noted that sea service through an
unregistered agency cannot be uploaded in the e-governance system of DGS
and therefore will not be considered by the DGS for examination/ certification.
It is therefore advised that the seafarers may get their placement on foreign
flag ships only through registered placement and service agencies. List of such
approved agencies is available in the website www.dgshipping.gov.in. Before
considering any offer of appointment from placement agencies, you must check
the website of DGS and ascertain whether such agency is registered or not.
3. There could also be a case of some fraud agency impersonating as a
Registered RPSL. As a measure of precaution, before considering an offer of
appointment from any Registered RPSL, you may also contact the said RPSL
on telephone or by an e-mail and ascertain its genuineness. The contact
details of all such registered RPSL are also displayed in the website for
information.
4. The registered RPSL are required to upload the details of your sea service in
the e-governance system of the DGS. Such uploaded details are visible to the
seafarer in the master checker of the seafarers profile in the e- Governance
system. You are advised to regularly visit the master checker and check whether
the RPS has correctly uploaded the dates of your sign on/ sign off in the
system in the same month to ensure that your sea-service records are
up-to-date.
Wishing you all the best in your career.
With Best Wishes
Dr Amol B Kirtane
Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)
Directorate General of Shipping
[email protected]
The Directorate General of Shipping, India deals with implementation of shipping policy and legislation so as to ensure the safety of life and ships at sea, prevention of marine pollution, promotion of maritime education and training in co-ordination with the International Maritime Organization, reg...
