DGMA’s revised MEO Class-II preparatory course syllabus, laid out in Annexure II of Circular 49 of 2026, now runs three months instead of four, or 360 contact hours, for batches starting on or after 1 January 2027. It stays aligned with STCW Regulation III/2 but adds alternative fuels, autonomous ship awareness, digital maintenance and cyber-risk … Read more
The MEO Class-IV preparatory course syllabus, set out in Annexure I of DGMA Circular 49 of 2026, runs for one month across 120 contact hours. It covers ship construction and safety, marine engineering knowledge across general, motor and steam plant, electro-technology, and workshop practice, preparing candidates for the MEO Class-IV Certificate of Competency exam. This … Read more
DGMA Circular No. 51 of 2026 defines the NCV Engine Cadet Scheme as a structured pathway that lets General Purpose (GP) Rating holders qualify for the Marine Engineer Officer Class-IV (NCV) Certificate of Competency. Candidates need a qualifying education, a completed GP rating course, and 6 to 12 months of approved seagoing service as an … Read more
The Continuous Discharge Certificate is the single most important document in an Indian seafarer’s career. If you’re wondering how to apply for CDC online, the entire process runs through the DGMA e-Governance portal. CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate. It functions as your seafarer’s passport, recording every sea service detail across your career. Without a … Read more
Minimum safe manning for passenger ships between Indian ports comes from Annexure G-4 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it is the tightest operating envelope of any passenger vessel scale covered in this series so far. A passenger vessel under 200 GT needs 6 nautical crew here. A vessel of 6000 GT and … Read more
Minimum safe manning for Type 3 River-Sea passenger vessels comes from Annexure G-5 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it covers passenger vessels classed as Type 3 RSVs, including Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax configurations, whether they are carrying foot passengers only or vehicles as well. A vessel under 500 GT needs 7 nautical crew. … Read more
Minimum safe manning for passenger ships on NCV and short international voyages comes from Annexure G-2 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it is the only passenger vessel scale in the circular where the certificate requirement can change mid-voyage without the crew number changing at all. A passenger vessel under 200 GT needs … Read more
Safe manning for passenger ships within 20 NM of the Indian coast comes from Annexure G-3 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it covers passenger ships; Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax vessels; and special trade passenger vessels trading along the Indian coast, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, within 20 nautical miles of shore. A … Read more
Minimum safe manning for passenger ships on international voyages comes from Annexure G-1 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it sets a heavier deck crew than any cargo ship of the same size carries. A passenger vessel under 200 GT needs 7 nautical crew. A vessel of 3000 GT and above needs 11, … Read more
Minimum safe manning for RVS in unrestricted operations comes from Annexure F-7 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it is reserved for a single vessel category: Type 4 RSVs, the only river-sea vessels cleared to ply between Indian ports in all weather conditions, with none of the duration or daylight limits that apply … Read more
