Exemption from requirement of qualifying sea-service documents for crew whose vessels were hijacked.

1. Exemption from Qualifying Sea-Service Documents

Affected crew members are exempted from submitting qualifying sea-service documents for rating watch-keeping certificates and Nautical & Engineering grade examinations for the time period affected by hijacking.

• Condition: Submission of a letter from the company’s authorized signatory, certifying the period for which the vessel was hijacked.

2. Consideration of Hijacked Time as Sea Service

The time spent under hijacking will be considered as sea service/propelling time for various grades of examinations as follows:

• MEO Class IV: 75% of the effective hijacked time may be considered as propelling time
• MEO Class II: 50% of the effective hijacked time may be considered as propelling time
• MEO Class I: 25% of the effective hijacked time may be considered as propelling time
• Nautical Examinations: 50% of the effective hijacked time may be considered as sea service
• Rating Watch Keeping Certificates: Effective hijacked time may be considered as sea service

3. Additional Requirements for Rating Watch Keeping Certificates

Eligible candidates will have to appear for orals examination or perform additional 3 months of sea-going service on any operational vessel and then apply for issuance of watch keeping certificate to any facilitation centre.