Reporting and Plan of action to deal with casualties involving Indian seafarers on foreign flag ships- Article 94(7)-UNCLOS

Applicable to: Recruiting companies, ship managers, manning agents

Effective Date: March 17, 2006

Superseded Circulars: DGS M.S. Notice No. 26 of 2002, M.S. Notice No. 13 of 2005

Key Changes and Requirements

1. Reporting Marine Casualties

In case of death, disappearance, loss overboard, or homicide involving an Indian seafarer on a foreign flag ship, the recruiting company, ship manager, or manning agent must:

Report the incident to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) within 24 hours using the prescribed format in Annexure I.
Follow the Indian Mariners Casualty Contingency Plan (IMCCP) as per Annexure II for further actions.

2. Reporting Cognizable Offenses

If a cognizable offense is committed, lodge a First Information Report (FIR) with the Police in India and endorse a copy to DGS and the next of kin of the affected Indian seafarer.

3. Submitting Inquiry Reports

Submit the relevant section of the marine casualty and incident report to DGS within 30 days of completion of inquiry, following the format prescribed by IMO circulars MSC/CIRC.827 and MEPC/Circ.333.

Annexure III provides guidelines on reporting casualties and safeguarding Indian seafarers' interests.

Important Note

Non-compliance may result in penalties under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, as amended.

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