Section 19 in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
19. Minimum requirements for certification of Masters on ships (Master of a home-trade ship) of between 600 and 3,000 gross tonnage operating in Near-Coastal Voyages. - (1) Every Master on a sea-going ship of between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage operating in Near-Coastal Voyages shall hold an appropriate certificate of competency in Form 7.
(2)Every candidate for the certification shall -(i)hold a certificate of competency as Mate of a home-trade ship (Chief Mate) in Near-Coastal Voyages on ships of between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage;(ii)have approved sea-going service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more operating in Near-Coastal Voyages 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 on ships of between 500 gross tonnage and 3000 tonnage operating in Near-Coastal Voyages;(iii)have completed an approved ship management course;(iv)have completed approved simulator training in shiphandling, and manoeuvring, or ninety days approved sea-going service as Chief Mate on Near-Coastal Voyages; and(v)have completed approved examination and assessment.
