The Government Shipping Office at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are established under Section 11 of MS Act 1958.
The Govt. Shipping Office is headed by the Shipping Master who is supported by Dy. Shipping Master, Asstt. Shipping Master, and other supporting staff.
The Shipping Office functions under the direct administrative control of the respective / Jurisdictional Mercantile Marine Department Head Quarters.
Duties of Shipping Master are mentioned under Section 89 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958:
Superintending and facilitating the engagement and discharge of seamen in the manner provided in this act.
Provide means for securing the presence on board at the proper times of the seamen who are so engaged.
Hear and decide disputes under Section 132 of M.S. Act, 1958 between a Master, owner or agent of a ship and any of the crew of the ship.
Perform such other duties relating to seamen, apprentices and merchant ships as are for the time being committed to them by or under this act.
Issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificate as per provisions of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017.
Issuance of Biometric Seafarer's Identity Document as per provisions of Merchant Shipping (SID) Rules, 2016.
Issuance of Certificate of Competency as Cook.
Look after engagement and discharge of seafarers and collection of Shipping & Discharging Fees for Sign on / Sign off of seafarers from shipping companies.
Collection of Seamen's Welfare Levy fees under Merchant Shipping (Levy of Seamen's Welfare Fee) Rules, 2017.
Conduct onboard investigation u/s 452 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 in case of Death / Missing of seafarers onboard Indian flagged ships.
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai (Directory)
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