M.S. Notice 18 of 2009: No:11-NT (058) /2007 Dated: 09.04.2009 Subject: Monsoon Advisory To Shipping. For The Attention of
M.S. Notice 18 of 2009: No:11-NT (058) /2007 Dated: 09.04.2009 Subject: Monsoon Advisory To Shipping. For The Attention of
Notice 18 of 2009
SUPERCEDING M.S. NOTICE NO. 12 OF 2008
Ship Masters, Charterers, Ship Builders, Ship Breakers, Classification Societies recognized by
DGS, Non Exclusive Surveying Companies, Insurance Companies, Coastal State including
Administrators of Union Territories, Maritime Boards, Major and Non-Major ports, Sailing and
Fishing Vessels owners Association/ Federation, Allied Offices of DGS, National Hydrographic
Office (NHO), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Director General of Lighthouses and
Port Health, Environmental Control Boards), Seafarers Unions and Maritime Training
Institutes, etc.
Purpose:
The purpose of this notice is to regulate and facilitate safe operations and navigation of sea
going vessels fitted with mechanical means of propulsion or otherwise having auxiliary
applicable, owned and chartered by Indian ship owners or ship managers or other entity as per
section 21 of Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (as amended) or other flag ships under any
contract of affreightment or under various types of charter parties. This notice provides
guidelines to the above stated stake holders on lawful trading of such ships on the coast of
India up to Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and overseas from Indian waters for single or
specific voyage's on time charter / Bare Boat Cum Demise (BBCD) charter throughout the year
specially during June to August in Arabian sea and from May to November in Bay of Bengal
(Seasonal monsoon months).
A. Historical Background:
1. The Directorate notes its serious concern at the upward trend in marine accidents in and
around Indian waters during hostile and stormy weather conditions, which prevail
2. In view of the experience gained in dealing with the consequences of such incidents
including the lessons learnt from them, the Directorate considers it essential to reiterate
1. The maintenance of condition of ship including hull, structure and equipments after
survey under Chapter I Regulation 11 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS
1974) as amended should enable the vessel to proceed to sea without endangering the
2. The Master of the vessel shall participate in the INDSAR Ship Reporting System
developed under the International Convention on Search and Rescue (SAR 1979) (for the
purpose of search and rescue of persons at sea) applicable within the prescribed
assigned area i.e. Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR). The Master shall also
participate in the Reporting System of the port (VTIMS) developed under the SOLAS
Convention 1974.
3. In the event of any marine casualty or when a ship is overdue or defect discovered
affecting the safety of the ship or the efficiency of the vessel's operation, the master /
ship manager / ship owner of the ship shall as the case may be, report at the earliest
opportunity to the nearest Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) and the concerned
MRCC or the port state control authorities. The MMD and MRCC Mumbai shall
communicate this information to the DG Commcentre. The FIRST REPORT OF
MARINE CASUALTY/ INCIDENT attached to this notice as Annexure-1 must be
completed and forwarded to the DG Commcentre at the earliest but not later than 24 hrs.
of occurrence. However, all concerned are urged to forward the report as soon as
possible in order to initiate quick response and follow up action.
4. The Principal Officer, MMD shall conduct the preliminary Inquiry or Fact Finding Inquiry
expeditiously in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act/
including the Human Element as per the provisions of IMO Resolution A. 987(24) and
Resolution LEG. 3(91) dated 27.04.2006 on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a
maritime accident shall also be taken into account during the investigation process.
1. In the event of a breakdown of a vessel or total disability making the vessel a wreck in
proximity of Oil Development Area (ODA) in the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal or along
the Indian coastline or within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India, the master of
concerned MRCC shall forward report of First Report of Marine Casualty / Incident as
also initiate such suitable measures to prevent drifting of the vessel in disabled state
dangers in these waters etc. to avert any shipping casualties which may lead to serious
consequences. Such measures could be under the prevailing circumstances taking into
The Master of the vessel may also refer to documents "Perils of Sea & Salvage" or other
such publications recommended by the flag state/ company's manuals under Safety
Management System (SMS) / other system applicable to restore normalcy on board
using ship board resources supplemented by other arrangements. The usage of these
documents would provide the master the general guidance in dealing with the situation
on board by understanding the changing pattern of drift away from prohibited areas or
vulnerable offshore assets in avoiding damage to the resources in the proximity of the
vessel. The ship owner, ship manager or ship Master shall also arrange suitable
competent salvage vessel as part of his obligation under the relevant law of the coastal
state. They shall ensure that the salvage vessel is properly equipped and manned by
2. The Master of a ship in need of assistance should contact the MRCC Mumbai. The
Indian Coast Guard in turn shall furnish such report immediately to the Directorate in the
3. The owner / manager / master of the ship and the port/ coastal state authorities should
be guided by IMO Resolution A. 949 (23) "Places of Refuge" in case of the total disability
of a ship in need of assistance to carry out emergency repairs. The Directorate General
of Shipping (DG Commcentre) is the Maritime Assistance Service (MAS) nodal point in
4. The port/ coastal state authorities are urged to extend timely assistance to vessels in
need of assistance and provide safe places taking into account the factors prescribed by
1. In the event of release of oil or hazardous substances or other wastes from the ship
specified in the Convention on Prevention of Pollution at sea (MARPOL 73/78) and other
relevant conventions etc. as applicable, the master shall immediately report all such
incidents to the concerned port authorities, Indian Coast Guard, Maritime State Board,
National Contact Points responsible for the receipt of reports on marine pollution
incidents (MEPC. 6/ Circ. 5 dated 31st March 2009, including the nearest Mercantile
Marine Department office. These authorities shall send the First Report of Marine
Commcentre, Mumbai. The Master shall immediately activate SOPEP (Shipboard oil
shall also seek the advice of the Indian Coastguard, who is the nodal agency of the
2. If such pollution incidents occur within the jurisdiction of a major/ non major port, the
master of the vessel shall first report the matter to port authorities/ port state control
authority and mitigate the situation by implementing vessels SOPEP/ SMPEP or other
plan as applicable. He shall also seek the advice from the port authority under the
provision of port by laws to control the situation. The port may implement considering the
gravity of pollution incident their Crises Management Plan (CMP) supplementing the
measures taken by the polluting ship. The ports, Maritime State Boards and other
concerned shall send reports of oil pollution incident especially from tankers.
1. For the purpose of salvage operations, the ship owner/ ship manager/ ship master are
advised to enter into the contract specified under international salvage conventions or
applicable national law of the vessel or coastal state (India) to obtain timely assistance
and avert any dispute at last stage for the settlement of claims. The payment of
compensation should be settled in accordance with laid down terms and conditions of
the contract entered between the ship and the salvors / charterers prior to vessel's
departure upon satisfactory completion of services from Indian port or Indian waters. The
dues of the Indian coastguard for salvage of persons, cargo and ship or preventive
measures against pollution or clean up operation as the case may be shall be settled as
per their schedule of tariff maintained by them. In case of any dispute the provisions of
M.S. Act 1958 (as amended) shall apply.
2. The ports/ public authorities may make claims for damage under the Fund 1992
Convention through DG Shipping. They shall also be guided by IOPC claims manual. (
Details available on their website www.iopcfund.org ). The ship owner/ ship manager/
ship Master may also refer to Part X B / C of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 as
amended/ Rules framed on the Civil Liability/ Fund related matters.
1. It is the responsibility of the master to obtain latest weather bulletins/ navigation warnings
of Navarea VIII and adjoining navigational areas. The master of the vessel shall in Indian
waters monitor navigational dangers, sea and weather conditions periodically. The Chief
Department), New Delhi are the National Coordinators for India with respect to
monsoon period, the master shall ensure that all weather updates and weather forecasts
(prognosis report) are made available to him by ship owner/ ship manager/ ship agent
prior vessel sailing from Indian port or entering/ leaving Indian waters. The masters are
advised to prepare comprehensive passage plan for the intended voyage by taking into
account all navigational hazards / dangers and contingency plans including all latest
weather/ tidal conditions in Indian waters during seasonal changes. The latest
navigational warnings are issued by the Port authorities for the local area from time to
time under information to the National Hydrographic Office, Dehradun. The Coastal and
high seas warnings are issued by the National Hydrographic Office, Dehradun. The
exhibition of applicable storm signals under the various systems for the ports for various
types of dangers should also be taken in account when approaching or leaving Indian
ports. Details on weather bulletins/ navigation warnings for Navarea VIII are available on:
However, safe execution of intended voyage by the vessel should take in account
following:
2. The ship owner/ manager shall ensure that the provisions of SOLAS Regulation 34-1 i.e.
Management System). They should assist the Master in efficient and effective
3. Fishing / Sailing vessels and small crafts etc. are cautioned to avoid venturing out to sea
during the foul season or whenever cautionary dangers, storm warnings have been
4. The ship's owner/ manager and master of all vessels should exercise due diligence and
display reasonable care and skill in making the vessel sea worthy with the purpose of
originating from Indian ports / Offshore Development Areas for the coast / overseas
during the period of southwest monsoon. The vessels proceeding in Indian waters to
ship breaking yards shall comply with all applicable IMO instruments including IMO
Resolution A.962 (23)/ A. 980(24), A. 981(24)/ MEPC/ Circ. 466 and provisions of the Indian
Merchant Shipping Act for safe navigation. The ship owners / mangers are urged to have
Port State Control (PSC) / Flag State Implementation (FSI) inspection completed prior to
the departure of vessel for the intended voyage. In addition, the Master of the vessel
should conduct periodical inspection of its condition prior to the departure and during the
voyage, especially in foul weather season. Such vessels however, are discouraged to
C. Additional Measures to Strengthen Ship board operational & Navigational Systems for
Trading/ Non-trading ships.
1. Ship owners / managers are encouraged to have their cargo vessel's inspected for
seaworthiness, outside India to the extent possible/ practicable prior entering into Indian
2. Ageing vessels, irrespective of flag, such as bulk carriers, tankers, passenger ships,
OBOs, etc. above 15 years of age should be well maintained, efficiently/ adequately
manned by qualified crew prior to their entry into or leaving Indian waters complying with
IMO instruments or the provisions of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 as
amended.
3. Old/ ageing general cargo ships including container ships, timber carriers, car carriers,
etc., engaged in coasting trade of India should be structurally sound, technically fit under
t he provisions of SOLAS/ Load line conventions, as amended including the Class Rules
and manned by qualified crew under the provisions of the STCW Convention as
amended.
4. Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs), during fair/ foul weather season, whether flying Indian
flag or foreign flag chartered by an Indian Company under the provisions of the Indian
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 shall be in seaworthy state from all aspects meeting the
5. The ship owner/ managers should ensure that the prevailing single/ seasonal voyage
permission and towing voyage permission guidelines are strictly adhered to. The IV
vessels shall not undertake sea voyages during the SW Monsoon. Towing voyages
6. The River-Sea coastal vessels are to strictly adhere to the provisions of safety, security
and protection of the marine environment as specified in DGS Order no. 4 of 2008.
1. E & P operators are advised to closely look out for drifting vessels (dead ship condition)
in the proximity of their operational areas. They are urged to provide assistance in
consultation with SAR/ Security agencies with suitable tugs for towing them away from
dangerous areas such as underwater high power cables/ gas pipelines etc to a place of
safety by levying standard tariff. The ports are also requested to make available
adequate number of suitable tugs manned by qualified crew in a state of readiness for
extending any assistance to such vessels in the proximity or within the jurisdiction of
2. The Coast Guard/ Indian Navy vessels and Merchant ships are also advised to look out
for drifting vessels in the coastal waters and high seas and urged to report the same to
the DG Commcentre.
DG Commcentre,
Tel: 0091 22 2261 0606, 2261 4646, 32959320
Fax: 0091 22 2261 3636
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
OF SHIPPING:
1. Attention of all concerned is drawn to the contents of this advisory and they are urged to
comply with them to the extent practicable under the circumstances, while their vessels are
trading in Indian waters during the fair/ foul season. In addition, they are advised to read
DGS orders, Circulars and Notices, which are issued from time to time to enhance the safe
operation of ships. The following indicative list issued by the Directorate may also be
i. Merchant Shipping Notice No. 3 of 2008, Single/ Seasonal voyage permission. (on
ii. Shipping Development Circular No. 1 of 2008. (on the DGS website
iii. Memorandum - Shipping Development (SD) Circular Clarification No. 1 of 2008. (on
iv. Shipping Development Amendment Circular no. 1 of 2008 dated 22nd July 2008.
vi. Flag State Inspection of offshore vessels of more than 15 years, ENG/ FSI / 66 (1) /
vii. S.D. Branch Circular no. 3 of 2008 dated 23rd October 2008.
viii. Merchant Shipping Notice no. 13 of 2008 dated 12th September 2008 as amended
This issues with the approval of Director General of Shipping and Ex Officio Additional Secretary
to the Government of India.
Sd/-