Section 39 in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
39. Principles governing the Issue of alternative certificates. - (1) The Chief Examiner concerned before issuance or authorising the issuance of alternative certificates shall ensure that no such certificates are issued unless it maintains equivalent level of safety and pollution prevention and certificates of competency issued under these rules will continue to allow interchangeability without the reduction in competency, manning, de-skilling or Watch-keeping provisions of the STCW Convention.
