MARGAO: The sudden surge of COVID cases in India as a result of COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious challenge to the Directorate General of Shipping, to allow Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) to be extended till December 31.
“The DGS has reviewed the situation again as the representation has been given from different stakeholders seeking further extensions of seafarers certificates to secure their jobs, informed Goan Seamen Association of India President Frank Viegas.
He further said that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global crisis that has impacted all aspects of life and adversely affected the normal functioning of the work environment in the Maritime sector, it has severely impacted ship to shore interactions, including crew change and in maintaining the validity of the certificate by the seafarers.
As informed by Viegas in another circular regarding Biometric Seafarer Identity Card (BSID) at data collection centres at various government shipping offices and Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) is being suspended with effect from April 27, 2021 until further orders.
However, BSID data capturing for seafarers joining for ports at United Kingdom/Brazil will be continued in accordance with the DGS No 36/2020 with prior appointment by RPSL Company only.
