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Nautical

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Implementation of ISPS Code on Gujarat Coast:

On the basis of recommendations sent for implementation of International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) by Director General of Shipping (DG, Shipping) office, Mumbai, implementation procedure is being carried out and the same is in progress.

Port of Magdalla has been granted certificate of compliance. The procedure for issuance of the compliance certificate is indicated below.

Nautical
 

Implementation of Inland Vessel Act-1917

After issuance of final notification on implementation of Inland Vessels Act-1917 by Government of Gujarat, all the concerned activities related to same have been taken over by GMB on behalf of Government of Gujarat. The idea is to make the movements of barges and tugs easy for promotion to trade. Also, the activities related to registration, survey & examination is being carried out by the Board.

The procedure for carrying out registration, survey and certification of I. V. Crafts and Examination of Masters and Engineers is as under:

  • Registration
    • For New Vessels

      Whenever a new vessel is to be constructed, the owner of the vessel has a choice either to get it built under a Class or he can get it built from any Shipyard/ Builder by getting plan approved by Naval Architect.

      Once the vessel is completed, the owner approaches the Registering Authority to register the craft. GMB has a checklist to be followed at the time of the vessel registration. After verifying the documents as per the checklist, vessels are registered as per the following:

      • If the vessel is Dumb Barge, then it is done by the Head of Nautical Branch. For the safety of the craft and the channel, GMB has started surveying of the Dumb Barges, which were not surveyed earlier.
      • If the vessel is built outside the state, the registration and survey is done by Head of Nautical Branch (Since these crafts require NOC from DG, Shipping/MMD) and involves verification of owners and question of mortgage etc.
      • If the vessel is built within the state, Port Officers who have been designated for the same would carry out the procedure for registration. For this we have issued the required circular.
      • The owner has to apply to Head Office, for this purpose, Head of Nautical Branch would direct to the concerned Port Officer to carryout the registration and allot Registration Number, if all the requirements as per the checklist are fulfilled.
  • Change of Registration
    • If the owner wishes to change the registry from one state to another or from one port to another port, he needs to apply to the Head Office. For vessels outside the state, registration is done by the Head of the Nautical Branch and for within the state, it would be done by respective Port Officer. Checklist is prepared for the same.
  • Change of Ownership
    • If the owner wishes to change the ownership for the vessel outside the state, the same would be done by the Head of Nautical Branch. For the vessels within the state, the same is done as per checklist by the respective port officers.
  • Survey and Certification
    • If the survey of a particular craft is about to expire, the owner would need to approach the head office of GMB with a request to carry out a survey and to issue a fresh certificate. This office would then direct the concerned Port Officer to carry out the survey and give recommendations if any.
    • On completion of all the recommendations to the satisfaction of the Port Officer, he would prepare a Survey Certificate and put his signature as Surveyor and would send to the head office for endorsement.
    • The Head of the Nautical Branch would sign on the certificate and would return it to the owner. Checklist for carrying out survey is available.
  • Examination of Deck Officers
    • Examination of Deck officers of I. V. Crafts like First Class, Second Class and Serang is carried out at the Head Office by the Head of Nautical Branch /Pilot Officer and a certificate would be issued.
    • Syllabus for the same is prepared as per I. V. Act.
    • All candidates have to make declaration as per the format.
    • Candidates are examined and their competency is judged on the area of operation. If a candidate is found to be good in all the spheres, a certificate is issued to him for Gujarat waters. If the candidate is found to be good only for particular areas, the certificate is prepared accordingly and endorsements are made on the certificate as per his area of expertise. In this manner, we have certified hands that may not be free to move around all along the Gujarat coast, but as per their efficiency, they are permitted to work in particular areas.

      If restricted certificate is given then candidates have a right to come back for re-examination after 6 months, if they desire to have the restricted certificate.
  • Examination of First Class Engine Driver, Second Class Engine Driver and Oilman
    • Examinations for such candidates are taken by the Marine Engineer. The Certificate of passed candidates would be issued for the same.

NSPC Committee

A committee regarding Navigational Safety in Ports Committee (NSPC) was formed under the chairmanship of Nautical Advisor to Government of India, Ministry of Shipping, Mumbai. For the navigational safety in ports, representative from GMB was appointed as a member for providing the representation from GMB side. Matters related to NSPC are dealt by DG Shipping office, Mumbai directly. Only guidance is provided by Nautical Section as and when required to the Captive jetty/Private jetty/Private Port holders.

 

Hydrographic Survey of GMB Ports

Marine Survey Sub-Division is a specialist survey organization functioning under Gujarat Maritime Board and conducts hydrographic survey on all water masses such as sea, ports, harbours, fish landing centers, estuaries, inland navigation channels, rivers etc. This wing conducts about 35 routine surveys at various ports as per requirement of GMB. The hydrographic survey wing possesses most modern survey equipments like (i) Single & Dual frequency Echo Sounder (ii) Differential Global Positioning System (iii) Hydrographic Survey Software (iv) Automatic Tide Gauges and Current meter. Marine Survey Sub-Division has one sea-going survey lauch at Magdalla Port.

Additionally, hdrographic survey for GSFC, Sikka on payments basis has also been conducted by this wing.

Coordination with DGS, Lighthouse, Navy, Coast Guard, Intelligence Agencies, Marine Police:

Coordination with Director General of Shipping, Lighthouse, Navy, Coast Guard, Intelligence agencies on various issues related to coastal security on Gujarat coast is carried out. This includes various exercises such as Sagar Kavach, National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security against threat from sea. These activities are carried out under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.

 

Safety of Marine Crafts on Gujarat coast

Guidance is also provided by GMB on safety of marine crafts to the concerned Port Officers/Captive jetty holders/private jetty holders as well as private ports. Nautical Section issues guidelines for the safety of marine crafts on Gujarat Coast by installing Automatic Identification System (AIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Navigational Charts, Navigational instruments like Echosounder, Radar, Navigational Light, Mast Light, Life Saving & Fire Fighting Equipments etc.

 

Private Pilotage Services:

  • For safe navigation of ships in and out of the port, proper qualified pilot (Master Mariner) is required as he takes over the command from the ship's Captain for maneuvering the vessel.
  • Pilots are also required for day-to-day emergencies in port like accident, movements of the barges and crafts and also for advising on navigational equipments.
  • During emergency like cyclone, adverse weather or fire, pilots who have knowledge of movements of the ships can safely move the vessels in and out of the port and also guide the staff for securing the crafts in safe manner to avoid damage to the port property.
  • Surveys have to be carried out for issuing the survey certificates of the crafts under the Inland Vessels Act-1917 for which the services of the pilots are taken since they are qualified for the same.
  • During any oil spill incident or dropping of floating objects into sea by ships like containers logs etc. services of the pilots are taken for supervising operations of restoring them and keeping the channel clear for safe navigation.
  • Communication with a ship's master for any work is an essential part of safety of ship and since they are mostly foreigners, knowledge of English is essential for which pilots play an important role.
  • Communication on day-to-day issues from ports regarding channel, weather, accidents etc with Head Office through Head of Nautical Branch is maintained by pilots.

Gujarat Maritime Board has also prepared Private Pilotage Rules and same has been sent to Government of Gujarat for issuance of Final Notification.

 

Establishment of Maritime Training Institute in Gujarat

Necessary guidance to institutes interested in establishment of Maritime Training Institute in Gujarat is provided by GMB. Concerned institutes have to approach Director General of Shipping office, Mumbai and have to submit their proposal & documents for obtaining the necessary approval. More details regarding the same are available on the website of DG Shipping.