25/04/2016
Dear Seafarer,
Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India has noted with concern, the rise in
number of complaints received from seafarers who are cheated/ fleeced by unauthorised
recruitment and placement agents under pretext of offering them placement on board foreign
flag ships. Common problems reported by the seafarers are;
1. In an event of seafarers meeting with an accident, injury, stranding or any other mishap ,
the unauthorized agencies do not provide any kind of assistance for repatriation/medical
aid/compensation etc.
2. Such unauthorised agencies do not provide assistance or make intervention in disputes
regarding wages/compensation, arising between the seafarers and the foreign flag
ship owners.
3. In case of demise of the seafarer, unauthorised agencies avoid taking up responsibility of
bringing mortal remains or arranging compensation.
In all the above mentioned complaints, it becomes difficult for DGS, Gol to directly take up
the matter with the foreign flag ships, as they do not come under its jurisdictional control.
It is therefore, requested that placement through unauthorised agencies may strictly be
avoided, as it may lead to complications/problems for the seafarers. It may be noted that sea
service through an unregistered agency cannot be uploaded in the e-governance system of
DGS and therefore will not be considered by the DGS for examination/certification. It is
therefore advised that the seafarers may get their placement on foreign flag ships only
through registered placement and service agencies. List of such approved agencies is
available in the website www.dgshipping.gov.in. Before considering any offer of appointment
from placement agencies, you must check the website of DGS and ascertain whether such
agency is registered or not.
There could also be a case of some fraud agency impersonating as a Registered RPSL.
As a measure of precaution, before considering an offer of appointment from any registered
RPSL, you may also contact the said RPSL on telephone or by an e-mail and ascertain its
genuineness. The contact details of all such registered RPSL are also displayed
in the website for information.
The registered RPSL are required to upload the details of your sea service in the
e-governance system of the DGS. Such uploaded details are visible to the seafarer in the
master checker of the seafarers profile in the e- Governance system.You are advised to
regularly visit the master checker and check wheather the RPS has correctly uploaded
the dates of your sign on/ sign off in the system in the same month to ensure that
your sea-service records are up-to-date.
