Everything You Need To Know About Continuous Discharge Certificates

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Mfame Editor
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A Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is a document of identity for seafarers. Just like a passport accounts for all international travels a person undertakes, a CDC, also called a Seaman’s Book, accounts for all the seafarers’ contracts and records all his/her time at sea. 

Vital Document 

A CDC is issued by the country’s government where a seafarer resides. It is an important document that certifies that its holder is a seafarer per the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). 

A seafarer cannot board a ship without a Continuous Discharge Certificate. Seafarers must take this vital document with them when boarding a vessel since it is like their identity card and contains a record of their experience at sea.

Every time a seafarer signs off from the vessel, the master signs the CDC, certifying that he worked on that vessel. A CDC remains valid for ten years. 

What Does It Contain?

A CDC has all the information of its holder, including Date of Birth, details about his kin, eye color, hair color, nationality, etc. It also contains the names of all certificates a seafarer has obtained throughout their career and the number, date, and place where the documents were issued. 

It also mentions the holder’s seafaring experience and voyages, the vessel’s name, IMO Number, Port of Registry, etc. It also describes the voyage, and lastly, it has the master’s signature with a seal. 

Eligibility Criteria 

  • The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
  • They should be medically fit to work onboard vessels and have a certificate in the form given under Annexures IV and V of the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2016.
  • Must have completed basic courses, including Basic STCW Safety Training Course and Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) or Ship Security Officer (SSO) and hold a certificate confirming the same.
  • The minimum age requirement is 18 years.
  • Applicant should have completed the 10th class from a recognized board. 

Step By Step Procedure 

  1. Firstly, one needs to update their Indos profile. Check that details like name, email, DOB, etc, are correct. 
  2. Secondly, on the DG Shipping website, go to the ‘E-Governmance tab’ and, from the drop-down menu, click on ‘e-governance’. 
  3. Visit the DG Shipping Website and hover on the tab titled ‘ E-Governance.’ As the drop-down menu appears, click on ‘e-governance.’
  4. After logging in with your User ID and password, click ‘CDC Management and CoC as Cook.’
  5. Click on Submit Application -> CDC Application.
  6. Fill in the details, though most information will be filled from your Indos Profile. 
  7. Next, choose the MMD from where you want to issue the CDC.
  8. You must fill in personal details, address, medical certificate details, fee details, courses done, etc. 
  9. After completing the above-mentioned steps, you must pay INR 700 using a debit card, credit card or net banking. 
  10. If your application is rejected, you must pay again and reapply. 
  11. The next step is to submit all the required documents online in the proper format. Your application will be considered only after you submit all the documents online. 
  12. The last step is to wait for your CDC to be approved and dispatched. It usually takes 3 to 7 working days for application approval and some more days for CDC dispatch.
  13. After the SMO approves your CDC, you will receive an update on your CDC Management profile and a speed post number. 
  14. CDC is sent through the India Post. You can track your CDC through the tracking ID on the India Post Website.

Documents Needed 

The DG Shipping Website lists the documents required for application. It is important to upload them in the prescribed format. 

Mentioned below are the documents needed. 

  1. A scanned copy of the online application in PDF format
  2. Passport size (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm) photograph with clear white background with face covering 70% in JPG or JPEG format
  3. Scanned signature of the applicant in JPG or JPEG format
  4. Coloured scanned copy of original passport (pages where photo, address, and other personal details etc are mentioned) in pdf format
  5. Coloured scanned copy of original 10th Standard Pass Certificate / Marksheet in pdf format
  6. Coloured scanned copy of original Medical Fitness Certificate from DGS Approved Doctor ( Appendix IV and V ) in pdf format
  7. Coloured scanned copy of original permanent address proof (Any one of them Passport, Aadhaar Card, Election Commission Photo ID card, and Driving License)

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Source: MarineInsight