M.S. Notice 3 of 2006

No:PB-21(4)/2005                                                                                                                            Dated: Jan 25, 2006

Sub: Reconstitution of Indian Marine Administration - Establishment Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi

In accordance with the Notification No. SO____ dated 19-01-2006 issued by the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, (Department of Shipping), the Director General of Shipping & Secretary to the Government of India is pleased to announce opening of Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi forthwith.

The Mercantile Marine Department, New Mangalore shall be under the administrative and functional control of Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi. Accordingly, the whole of the coastline of Kerala and Karnataka shall be under the jurisdiction of MMD, Kochi.

Functions of newly established Mercantile Marine Departments:.

1) Registration of ships:- The Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department shall act as a Registrar of Indian ships.

2) Certification of Ships:- The Principal Officer, MMD, Kochi within his jurisdiction shall be responsible for Statutory Certification of ships under SOLAS, Loadline, Marpol and other applicable conventions such as:

a) Safety Equipment Certificate
b) S.R Certificate
c) Safcon Certificate
d) I.O.P.P. Certificate
e) Load Line Certificate etc.

3) Inspection under Port State Control:- The Principal Officer of the MMD, Kochi shall ensure that Port State Control Inspections are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant conventions.

4) Implementation of ISPS Code:- The Principal Officer of MMD, Kochi shall be the nodal officers for ensuring compliance of ISPS Code by all the ships/ports under their jurisdiction.

5) FSI of Indian Registered Ships:- Inspection shall be carried out by the MMD Surveyors under the authority of Principal Officer or by other recognized organizations to ensure that the statutory certificates issued and conditions of compliance maintained on board. In case any deficiencies are noticed with respect to the hull machinery, manning of any ship or improper loading etc., vessels may be detained if required as per the provisions of Section 336 of M.S. Act and relevant DGS guidelines.

6) Industrial Surveys:- Industrial Surveys shall be carried out with respect to Life Saving Appliance, Fire Fighting Appliances and Machinery items. Prototype approval inspections shall also be carried out by the MMD in respect of the above mentioned areas by the authorized surveyors of the Mercantile Marine Department concerned.

7) Miscellaneous Inspections: Inspection of ships for measurement of tonnage shall be done by the surveyors of the department. Inspection of ships with respect to compliance of M.S. Crew Accommodation regulations, inspection of carriage of grain in bulk in compliance of M.S. (Carriage of grains) Rules, 1974 and also inspection and approval of stowage plan of the ships loading dangerous goods shall be done by the MMD as per I.M.O regulations.

8) Examination:- Examinations both with respect to Nautical & Engineering branches shall be conducted by the MMD as per prescribed rules and Engineer's Examination Rules as applicable from time to time. Similarly the Examination and Certification of floating staff of the Inland vessels as applicable may also be carried out by the Mercantile Marine Department.

9) Casualty Investigations:- Investigations and Inquiries shall be carried out by the department in case of any Shipping Casualty to Indian registered ships or any foreign ships if in Indian waters as per M.S. Act.

10) Approval of Plans and Stability booklets: - Scrutiny for approval of Life Saving Appliances, Light & Sound signal appliances, Fire Fighting Appliances Plans and other statutory plans shall be carried out by the Mercantile Marine Department, within their jurisdiction.

11) Co-ordination with Statutory bodies: - Co-ordination with Indian Coast Guard, Navy and various other authorities shall be carried out by the MMD for Search and Rescue operation of ships around Indian Coast within their jurisdiction

The Principal Officer of MMD, Kochi or any other officer holding charge thereof, in the discharge of his duties shall function under the functional, administrative and financial control of the Director General of Shipping and shall be responsible for the administration of the MS Act and the Rules and regulations made there-under on matters pertaining to registration of ships, certificate of officers, safety of passenger ships, Safety, Collisions and accidents, Navigation, prevention of pollution of the sea by oil, investigation and enquiries and such other matters as may be assigned to them by general or special orders in this respect from time to time.

In all matters of the statutory duties, powers and jurisdiction under the MS Act, the Principal Officer or any other officer holding the current charge of the post shall be at par with the Principal Officers, Mercantile Marine Departments, Mumbai/Chennai/ Kolkata.

The Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi however shall exercise such powers as may be delegated to them separately under sub rule (3) of Rule 13 of DFPR until such time they are declared as Head of Departments by the Department of Shipping under sub rule (2) ibid.

This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and Secretary to the Government of India.

Sd/- (P.H. Krishnan)
Dy. Director General of Shipping