India: circular on validity and consolidation of basic safety training certificates for seafarers

The Directorate General of Shipping, India has published a circular addressing the validity of the combined certificate for basic safety training as required by the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code.

This circular was published on 27 February 2024.

It outlines the requirements and procedures for issuing such certificates.

The STCW Code mandates basic safety training for seafarers, including personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibility.

Previously, separate certificates were issued for each course, leading to administrative complexities. To streamline the process, a single combined certificate for all four basic courses was introduced.

The combined certificate's validity is unlimited from the date of issue, subject to seafarers completing refresher training every five years for personal survival techniques and fire prevention and firefighting.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was divided into Part A and Part B, with Part A having an 18-month validity for theoretical training and Part B issued upon completion of practical training.

Issuance of separate Part A and Part B certificates ceased from March 21, 2022. All seafarers starting the course after this date receive a single combined certificate with unlimited validity.

All certificates, whether consolidated or in parts, have unlimited validity subject to refresher training every five years.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Validity of Combined Certificate for Basic Safety Training, as Required as per Chapter VI, Part A of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, 1978 as Amended