Section 51
Foreign vessel not to sail without seafarers having certificate.
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) Every master of a foreign vessel shall, before proceeding to sea from any port or place in India, ensure that the vessel has the requisite number of seafarers of appropriate grades in compliance with the Safety Convention and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention.
(2) A surveyor or any person authorised in this behalf by the Central Government may, at any reasonable time, go onboard a vessel for the purpose of ensuring that the seafarers holding certificates granted in accordance with the Safety Convention and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention are actually appointed and are present, and satisfy himself about the adequacy of such seafarers for the watchkeeping duties in ports and at sea.
(3) If a surveyor or any person authorised under sub-section (2) reports any deficiency in a foreign vessel in relation to the requirements of the Safety Convention and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention and the Central Government is satisfied that it is unsafe for such vessel to proceed to sea, that vessel may be detained by the proper officer till such requirements are fulfilled.
(2) A surveyor or any person authorised in this behalf by the Central Government may, at any reasonable time, go onboard a vessel for the purpose of ensuring that the seafarers holding certificates granted in accordance with the Safety Convention and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention are actually appointed and are present, and satisfy himself about the adequacy of such seafarers for the watchkeeping duties in ports and at sea.
(3) If a surveyor or any person authorised under sub-section (2) reports any deficiency in a foreign vessel in relation to the requirements of the Safety Convention and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention and the Central Government is satisfied that it is unsafe for such vessel to proceed to sea, that vessel may be detained by the proper officer till such requirements are fulfilled.