Administration Needs to Simplify Processes in the Larger Interests of the Industry

Padmesh Prabhune

Pic: Dr Babu Mailan

Of late there have been many cases of fraud, especially with dubious and /or unauthorized Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) holders recruiting cadets/trainees to onboard positions and then leaving them in a lurch with no option of formal sign-off, as the license of the said RPSL holder is no longer valid.

Case in point is Chennai based Blesson Sebastian, Deck Cadet, CDC Mum: 421263 who had recently sailed in M.V Liwa, IMO no 9077109, for over 12 months at a stretch, literally struggling for sign off, for the RPSL that put him onboard was suspended whilst he was sailing on the vessel.

Blesson says: “My RPSL Company Native Marine Services (Mum 447) was suspended during my sailing period and I could not get my sign-off formality, consisting of info upload, completed after reaching India.

“I wanted to appear for my 2^nd mate exams and advance courses but on account of the RPSL holder being blocked I can’t, and I don’t know what to do.”

He adds, “My father is a heart patient, he had taken a loan for my education and I am really helpless for it seems there is no future for me.”

The highest body of Shipping regulation in India, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) responsible for the development of the Maritime Industry in India, and hence also the Maritime Education & Training sector, have in its many advisories cautioned student and active seafarers, mentioning the many fraudulent activities, and further advising them to refrain from joining such entities.

Also considering the fact that the dubious entities are not recognized by the DG Shipping implies that they do not fall under the ambit of DG Shipping. Needless to say the certificates issued by dubious institutions and the Sea Service obtained through unrecognized RPSL- shall not have the due recognition by DGS.

The Directorate General of Shipping on its website maintains an updated list of authorized institutions, MTI and RPSL holders, for ensuring the smooth transition but despite this such fraud cases continue to occur.

There are many like Blesson; young enthusiastic seafarers fallen afoul of the system due to no fault of theirs.

Agrees, Dr A Babu Mailan, Chairman Indian Seafarers Welfare Organization (ISWOT) and CEO, Badmavathi Institute of Marine Academy. He says, “There are many seafarers who are suffering and the administration should work out a way forward. No doubt dubious recruiters should be punished but not all RPSL are dubious for at times it might be due to financial crisis that they are not able to comply with the guidelines.”

In cases where in the seafarers who have been recruited by the then registered RPSL, but the license withheld later due to non-compliance, such seafarers are unable to upload their data viz seatime service, name of vessel etc, as there is no provision in e.Gov system once the company is blocked by the Directorate.

While there are procedures for such students to have the problem resolved, the process at times might be cumbersome and time consuming adding to the delays.

Adds  Dr Mailan, “We would kindly request the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai to give necessary instructions to MMDs/DSEOs/SMs and the Shipping Industry at large to accept sea service, Sign On and Sign Off of such seafarers whose companies are closed due to bankruptcy/ losses due to recession, natural calamities, pandemic and due to unavoidable circumstances and suspension/withdrawal of license by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai; failing which innocent seafarers for no fault of theirs are put to great hardship.”

While actions and corrective measures for non compliance to SCTW remains undisputed, there are many other points when it comes to governance.

Simplify e-governance; Avoid Repetitive Demand for Documents

Stalwarts in the maritime industry on condition of anonymity agree that it’s time MMDs across the country simplify processes, and have uniform interpretation of circulars/ policy in order to have greater transparency, and establish a repository system to avoid the repetitive tasks for assessments, candidates often having to upload the same documents time and again.

For instance, even for the 2nd Mate’s Course there is a checklist of documents that have to be completed by the applicant for securing admission to the institute. The concerned institute also adheres to DG compliance of fulfilling the criteria to be registered as an approved maritime institute. When students are enrolled in any of the approved institutions, it means that all the compliances have been met. So why can’t the administration have a simple system of maintaining each person’s DGS profile, wherein all the details are already present and one can if needed even take a printout of them?

“With the government focused on digitalization, the MMD should adapt to the technology and simplify procedures, avoiding repetitive tasks of documentation”, says the Principal of a renowned maritime institute, adding further that the CDC or the SID also has all the details of any seafarer. Given this case, why is there a need of submitting all documents repetitively at every level, adding to the task and the mental agony of examination candidates.

It’s time the MMDs revamp keeping pace with changes, and develop a more customer-friendly approach.

Marex Media