The Indian government decided to ease the rules regarding the issuing of a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) Seafarers’ Identity Document, facilitating, with that way, seafarers to work on ships, without having problems obtaining the certificate.
If someone does not have CDC, he cannot work on ships. In order for someone to apply for a CDC, he has to be an Indian national of 18 years old, having an Indian passport and a Class 10 pass certificate and must complete the five basic International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) safety courses spread over two weeks, local media reported.
According to STCW, The five basic courses include the following:
- Survival techniques in survival craft and rescue boards.
- Fire prevention and fire-fighting.
- First aid or medical first aid or medical care.
- Personal safety and social responsibility and security training for seafarers with designated security duties or ship security officer.
With the new measure, many Indians are expected to be benefited, in order to work onboard ships. The new rules about CDC, came into force on January 14.
Commenting on this development, Captain MC Yadav, Director of FOSMA Maritime Institute and Research Organisation said that, before the new rule, it was very difficult for an Indian to obtain a CDC and work on ships. This will end, as in order for someone to apply for a CDC he will need to only pass the five mentioned safety courses.
