Navigation and Seamanship

5.3.1. Manning Regulations of fishing vessels

                                            

As per Merchant Shipping Act(Amendment) 1987 the statutory requirements of manpower for the fishing fleet of our country is as follows,  

Every Indian fishing vessel when going to sea from any part or place in India shall be provided, 

(a) If the vessel is of 24m or more in length and is operating beyond contiguous zone(24 nm from the shore), with certificated Skipper Gr.I and a certificated Mate of fishing vessel. 

(b) If the vessel is of 24m or more in length and is operating beyond contiguous zone, with certificated Skipper Gr. II and a certificated Mate of a fishing vessel. 

(c) If the vessel is of less than 24 m in length and is operating beyond the contiguous zone with a certificated Skipper Gr.II and a certificated Mate of a fishing vessel. 

(d) If the vessel is of less than 24 m in length and is operating within the contiguous zone, with a certificated Skipper Gr.II. 

(e) If the vessel has a propulsion power of 750KW or more with at least one engineer of fishing vessel, who shall be designated as Chief Engineer and one Engine Driver fishing vessel. 

(f) If the vessel has a propulsion power of 350 KW or more but less than 750KW with at least one Engineer of a fishing vessel who shall be designated as Chief Engineer. 

(g) If the vessel has propulsion power of less than 350KW with at least one Engine Driver of fishing vessel who shall be designated as Engineer-in-charge. 

Subsequently, some additional hands indicated below have been specified for fishing vessel manning vide an executive order No. MSL-1(2)/95-1 dated 17^th September, 2002 of Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai taking into consideration the necessity of support of staff on fishing vessels: 

 1) Fishing vessels having propulsion power of 750KW and above; 

 Engineer of fishing vessel -1 no  

 Engine Driver of fishing vessel - 1no 

 Rating/Engine hands - 3 Nos 

 2) Fishing vessels having a propulsion power of 350 KW to 750 KW; Engineer of fishing vessel - 1no

 Rating/engine hands - 3 nos 

 3) Fishing vessels having propulsion power of less than 350 KW; 

 Fishing vessel Engine Driver - 1No 

 Rating/Engine hand - 1 No