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

sys-egovernance@dgshipping.org