Section 15 in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
15. Minimum requirements for certification of Master (Master of a foreign-going ship) on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more. - (1) Every master on a sea-going ship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall hold an appropriate certificate of competency in Form 3.
(2)Every candidate for certification shall -(i)hold a certificate of competency as First Mate of a foreign going ship (Chief Mate on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more);(ii)have approved sea-going service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more for a period of not less than three years. However, this period may be reduced by the Chief Examiner concerned to a period of not less than thirty months, or pro-rata, if not less than one year of such sea-going service served as Chief Mate;(iii)have completed an approved ship management course;(iv)have completed approved simulator training in shiphandling and manoeuvring; and(v)have completed approvE.d examination and assessment
