The Central Government in exercise of power conferred by sub-section (2) of section 99A and section 457 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and in accordance with the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185) regulating the method of issuance of the Seafarers’ Bio-metric Identity Document, makes Merchant Shipping (Seafarer’s Bio-metric Identity Document) Rules, 2016. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. The said Rules contain 10 Rules and 2 Forms i.e. Application Form for Seafarers Identity Document and Application Form for issue of renewal or duplicate Seafarers Identity Document. Rule 4 & 5 contains provision relating to Application for issuance for SID and Eligibility for Seafarer Identity Document. Rule 8 contains provision relating to renewal i.e. SID may be renewed after first five years of its issuance on a request from the holder for a further period up to ten years at a time, if the holder’s SID has not been cancelled or withdrawn or suspended under these rules. These rules shall apply to Indian citizens, who fulfil the eligibility conditions specified under Rule 5.
Ministry of Shipping