Carriage of Livestock by the vessels registered under The Merchant Shipping Act,1958 - reg.

**Summary of DGS Order No. 4 of 2019: Carriage of Livestock by Vessels** **Info Card** - **Applicable to:** All vessels registered under The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 carrying livestock. - **Effective Date:** 11th September 2019 - **Superseded Circulars:** None mentioned **Key Changes and Requirements** 1. **Approval and Conditions for Carriage of Livestock** - Vessels must obtain a 'livestock vessel approval' from the Director General of Shipping (DGS). - Approval is subject to conditions specified by the DGS. - Vessels must be registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, or classified as a 'Livestock Carrier' by a recognized organization. 2. **Voyage Plan and Weather Conditions** - A voyage plan must be submitted and approved by the DGS before loading livestock. - Masters must have a 96-hour weather forecast and assess sea conditions for the voyage. - Vessels must not depart if adverse weather conditions are predicted. 3. **Loading and Care of Livestock** - Owners must give 5 working days' advance notice to the DGS before loading livestock. - Masters must ensure competent crew for livestock care, proper penning, feeding, and watering. - Livestock must not obstruct vessel safety features or navigation. - Feed and water must be of suitable quality and quantity, and feed must be stored properly. 4. **Inspection and Records** - Owners must make vessels available for inspection by the DGS. - Masters must maintain records of livestock loading, feed, and water provisions, and make them available for inspection. - Vessels must carry a copy of the livestock vessel plan and supporting documents. 5. **Important Note** - None mentioned in the document. **Valid External Links** - [DGS Website](https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/) - For more information and updates. - [Indian Meteorological Department](https://imdpune.gov.in/) - For weather forecasts. **HTML Summary** ```html