Section 265
Manning of fishing vessels.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(1) The Central Government may make rules to provide for the following matters, taking into consideration the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel Convention as may be deemed necessary, namely:—
(a) the manning scale of every Indian fishing vessel and different manning scales for different categories of Indian fishing vessels, areas and types of fishing operations;
(b) the grade of certification to be held by every fisher appropriate to his station, serving onboard an Indian fishing vessel.
(2) Subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, an Indian national with certificate of competency granted under the law for the time being in force of another State or foreign national with certificate of competency granted under this Act or another State, may serve on an Indian fishing vessel.
(3) Subject to the provisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel Convention, as applicable, every fishing vessel, whether at sea or in any port or place, shall be manned by such number of persons with such qualifications and such other requirements as may be prescribed.
(a) the manning scale of every Indian fishing vessel and different manning scales for different categories of Indian fishing vessels, areas and types of fishing operations;
(b) the grade of certification to be held by every fisher appropriate to his station, serving onboard an Indian fishing vessel.
(2) Subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, an Indian national with certificate of competency granted under the law for the time being in force of another State or foreign national with certificate of competency granted under this Act or another State, may serve on an Indian fishing vessel.
(3) Subject to the provisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel Convention, as applicable, every fishing vessel, whether at sea or in any port or place, shall be manned by such number of persons with such qualifications and such other requirements as may be prescribed.