Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
1. Definitaion
Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is an International mandatory document required for seafarers to sail onboard Merchant Navy ships. It is a document issued in the form of booklet wherein record of service (onboard discharge and engagement) of seafarers from ships are recorded.
2. Issuing Authority
Continuous Discharge Certificate are issued by the Shipping Master, Government Shipping Offices located at Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Government Shipping Office is an allied office of Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Government Shipping Offices are headed by Shipping Master who functions under direct administrative control of Jurisdictional Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department.
3. Eligibility for CDC
- Continuous Discharge Certificate are issued in accordance in terms of provisions under Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017 and other relevant DGS Orders, Circulars, MS Notices issued by Directorate General of Shipping from time to time. Basic eligibility criteria for obtaining CDC is mentioned vide Rule 4 of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017 which states following:
- An Applicant shall be a citizen of India.
- An applicant shall be medically fit and possess a valid certificate in the form prescribed under Annexure IV and V of the Merchant Shipping (medical Examination) Rules, 2000, to the effect that he is medically fit to be employed on board ships.
- An applicant for issue of Continuous Discharge Certificate must have completed the 'following basic familiarisation courses in an approved training institute and hold a certificate to that effect, namely:
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST) or Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boards (PSCRB).
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) or Advance Fire Fighting (AFF)
- Elementary First Aid (EFA) or Medical First Aid (MFA) or Medical Care (MC)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) or Ship Security Officer (SSO).
- An applicant shall not be less than eighteen years of age.
- An applicant must have passed tenth standard.
- Exceptions / Exemptions have been notified by DGS vide following Orders / Circulars :
- DGS Order No. 01 of 2019 dated 06.03.2019 - Relaxation of requirement of sub-rule (5) of Rule 4 of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rule, 2017, for seafarers who have worked on International Cruise Ships before coming into force of said rules.
- DGS Order No. 03 of 2019 dated 06.08.2019 - Consideration of Matriculation Certificate issued by Armed Forces to ex- servicemen for issuance of CDC
- DGS Order No. 05 of 2024 dated 06.03.2024 - Relaxation of Educational Qualification for admission to Pre-Sea Courses of General Purpose Ratings and certificate course in Maritime catering and for issuance of CDC for the natives of Minicoy Island of Union Territory of Lakshadweep belonging to Schedule Tribe.
4. Fee
The fee for obtaining the Continuous Discharge Certificate or its reissue or renewal or its replacement / duplicate is INR Seven Hundred Rupees, which shall be non-refundable, payable via online mode.
5. Validity
As per Rule 8 of M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2017 CDC is valid for a period of ten years and may be renewed on expiry or within one year prior to date of expiry.
6. Requirement for Replacement / Duplicate / Renewal Continuous Discharge Certificate :
- Replacement : Where a Continuous Discharge Certificate of a person is mislaid, destroyed, defaced or mutilated or the pages of the Continuous Discharge Certificate are exhausted, such person shall apply online for Replacement CDC Booklet.
- Duplicate : Where a Continuous Discharge Certificate of a person is lost and where a proper complaint has been made by him with the Police, such person may apply along with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) for Duplicate CDC.
- Renewal : If any person wish to extend validity of their CDC, they may apply online for Renewal of CDC.
7. Cancellation of Continuous Discharge Certificate :
- CDC of any person may be cancelled, suspended or withdrawn in terms of provision under Rule 9 of M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2017, if the person is found to be in violation of extant rules.
- In terms of sub-rule 12 of Rule 9 of M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2017, if a Continuous Discharge Certificate holder wishes to discontinue the sea service, may request for cancellation of CDC to the concern Government Shipping Office who has issued the CDC Number.
