Section 1(3) in Merchant Shipping (Seafarer Accommodation) Rules, 2016
(3)These rules shall apply to every ship registered or so required to be registered under the Merchant Shipping Act,1958 (44 of 1958) except ships engaged in fishing activities, traditionally built ships such as dhows and junks, and ships of war or naval auxiliaries:Provided that the requirements under these rules which relate to ship construction and equipment shall not apply in the case of ships the keel of which was laid or was at a similar stage of construction before the coming into force of these rules:Provided further that such ships comply with the requirements specified in the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Rules, 1960, as in force immediately before the coming into force of these rules.Provided also that the provisions of these rules shall not apply to any ship plying in voyages within territorial waters, the seafarers of which are not required to stay on board overnight for periods exceeding eight hours.Explanation 1. - A ship shall be deemed to have been constructed on the date when its keel is laid or when it is at a similar stage of construction.Explanation 2. - For the purpose of this sub-rule "similar stage of construction" means a stage at which assembly of that ship has commenced comprising of at least fifty tonnes or one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.
