MARGAO
The Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has written a letter to the Union Shipping Minister to grant exemption in relation to the eligibility condition for obtaining Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC).
GSAI President Frank Viegas said the order of the Director General of Shipping dated March 6, 2019 is a matter of concern to the seafarers since the Indian CDC has been considered a mandatory document for availing various services offered by DGS Crew Circular 23 of 2022 Dated 02/12/2022 and DGS Circular No 11 of 2023 Dated 18/04/2023.
“It is our utmost concern that many seafarers who don’t have a SSC certificate but have sea service experience after 11 January 2018 to till date are unable to apply for Indian CDC and BSID are on a verge of losing their jobs,” he said.
He added: “Since BSID and Indian CDC have been mandatory for every seafarer, we urge your good office to grant exemption in relation to eligibility condition for obtaining Continuous Discharge Certificate.”
