On October 11, 2024, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued a Draft MS Notice mandating the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems on Indian-flagged vessels.
According to the Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), this decision follows a rise in incidents such as personnel disappearances and collisions, emphasizing the need for stronger onboard security measures. Key requirements as they appear in the document, include:
- Indian-flagged vessels over 3000 GT must install CCTV systems during their next dry-docking or within 24 months.
- Newly constructed Indian-flagged vessels must have CCTV systems operational before sea trials.
- Converted foreign vessels must install CCTV within 12 or 24 months, depending on registry dates.
- CCTV systems should meet the ‘IEC 62676’ standard and the ship’s safety management must align with ISM Code requirements.
As informed, non-compliance with CCTV installation won’t lead to vessel detainment during Flag State inspections, but deficiencies must be rectified in a reasonable time. Furthermore, the safety management systems onboard must also be updated to include CCTV protocols in line with ISM Code requirements.