Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules

NOTIFICATION

S.R.O. 109 (KE)/2006. - In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 105 and 124 of the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001 (L II of 2001), and in supersession of the Examination of Masters and Deck Officers (Merchant Navy) Rules, 1998, the Federal Government is pleased to make the following rules, namely: -

CHAPTER I. - PRILIMINARY

1. Short title, commencement and application. - (1) These rules may be called the Pakistan Merchant Shipping (Examination and Certification of Masters, Deck Officers and Safe Manning) Rules, 2006.

(2) They shall come into force at once.

(3) They shall not apply to, –

(a) warships and naval auxiliaries;

(b) other ships owned or operated by a State and engaged only on governmental non-commercial services;

(d) pleasure yachts not engaged in trade; and

(e) wooden ships of primitive built.

2. Definitions. –(1) In these rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, -

(a) “Appendix” means an Appendix to these rules;

(b) “appropriate certificate” means a certificate issued and endorsed in accordance with the provisions of these rules and entitling the lawful holder thereof to serve in the capacity and perform the functions involved at the level of responsibility specified therein on a ship of the type and tonnage indicated by the endorsement while engaged on the particular voyage concerned;

(d) “Board of Examiners” means the Board of Examiners constituted under rule 50;

(e) “certificate of competency” means a certificate of competency granted by the Federal Government under these rules;

(f) “coastal trade area” means any location within the area bounded by a line from a point on the Pakistani coast within twenty nautical miles;

(g) “coastal trade ship” means a ship trading within coastal trade area;

(h) “examiner” means a person as specified in of rule 49;

(i) “foreign-going ship” means a ship trading within unlimited area or foreign-going area;

(j) “limited area or home trade area” means any location within the area from the extremities of the Pakistan coast limited to five hundred miles;

(k) “OOW” means Officer in charge of a navigational watch;

(l) “oil tanker” means a ship constructed or adapted primarily to carry oil in bulk in its cargo spaces and includes a combination carrier when it is carrying a cargo or part cargo of oil in bulk;

(m) “Principal Examiner of Master mates” means the person as specified in rule 48;

(n) “STCW Convention” means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995;

(o) “tanker” means a chemical tanker, a liquefied gas tanker or an oil tanker; and

(p) “unlimited area or foreign-going area” means any location not within the home trade or coastal area.

(2) The words and expressions used but not defined in these rules, shall have the same meaning as are assigned to them in the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001 (LII of 2001).

3. Requirement to carry Deck Officers. –(1) Any ship going to sea, having a registered tonnage of five hundred gross tonnage or more, shall carry Deck Officers holding valid certificate of competency of the appropriate grade, of the following descriptions, namely: -

(a) Ships registered in Pakistan; and

(b) ships registered outside Pakistan which carry passengers, -

(i) between ports in Pakistan or between Pakistan and Gulf port; or (ii) on a voyage which begins and ends at the same ports in Pakistan and on which the ship calls at no port outside Pakistan.

(2) Subject to sub-rule (1), the numbers of duly certificated Deck Officers to be carried in various descriptions of ships according to trading area, the grade of certificate of competency Deck Officers should hold and the minimum safe manning of ship shall be as specified in Appendix “A”.

4.Valid certificate of competency. - (1) A Deck Officer shall not be duly certificated unless he is holder of a valid certificate of competency of a grade appropriate to his station in the ship or of a higher grade.

(2) A valid certificate of competency shall be any of the following certificates of the appropriate grade or a higher grade for the capacity in which the holder is to be carried in a ship, namely: -

(a) Certificate of competency with endorsement granted under these rules; or

(b) certificate of competency granted by any other Maritime Administration of a country duly recognized by the Federal Government under section100 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001 (LII of 2001).

5. Grades of certificates of competency. -(1) There shall be the following grades of certificate of competency which may be granted under these rules, namely: -

(a) Master of foreign-going ship or certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class I Master Mariner;

(b) first mate of foreign-going ship or certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class II;

(d) certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class IV.

6. Endorsements. – A candidate holding a certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class II, class III and class IV may apply for the endorsement of master of the following categories, provided he fulfils the requirements as specified in Chapter VI, namely: -

(a) Master home trade endorsement;

(b) master coastal trade endorsement;

(d) certificate of qualification as master of a foreign-going tug.

7. Certificate of competency granted by other Maritime Administrations. – (1) Acceptance of certificates of competency granted by other Maritime Administrations, as equivalent to those granted by the Federal Government, shall be subject to the condition that the training education and certification system of administration of the country is compatible with the standards maintained in Pakistan in conformity with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch- keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995, and as per the provisions of section 100 of the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001(LII of 2001), shall be granted a certificate of recognition as specified in Appendix B.

(2) Candidates applying for certificate of recognition must have the knowledge of the maritime laws as in force in Pakistan, and the maritime laws embodied in international agreements and conventions, and the implementation of such laws.

CHAPTER II. - EXAMINATIONS (GENERAL PROVISIONS)

8. Competencies and training. –(1) Certificates of competency and command endorsements shall be granted only by examination consisting of written, oral and signal components where appropriate.

(2) A candidate shall be assessed to ensure that they meet the standards of competence required under these rules, which detail the level of knowledge, understanding, proficiency and the methods, which shall be used to determine candidate’s competence to undertake different functions, associated with different levels of responsibility.

(3) Ancillary training in safety and technical subjects which are mandatory, shall be required for each grade of certificate of competency as specified in Appendix “C”.

(4) Subject to sub-rule (3), a candidate shall submit certificates of successful completion of ancillary training from an Academy, College or Institute approved by the Federal Government before the grant of certificate of competency.

9. Examination of foreigners. - A foreigner candidate may be examined for all grades of certificates of competency subject to such conditions as shall be applicable to other candidates under these rules.

10. Proof of nationality. - Every candidate for a certificate of competency or command endorsement shall be required to produce proof of nationality by producing a passport or certificate of citizenship or national identity card.

11. Knowledge of English language. - All candidates must prove to the satisfaction of the Examiner that they can speak and write in English language sufficiently well to perform the duties required of them on board a ship.

12. Medical fitness and eyesight test. -(1) Each candidate shall be medically fit including eyesight, colour vision and hearing as per the standard laid down in Appendix “D”.

(2) Each candidate shall be medically examined, by a medical practitioner approved by the Federal Government, which shall be valid for two years.

(3) Eyesight and colour vision test shall be held at Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi which shall be valid for one year.

13. Examination fee. –(1) A candidate shall be required to pay the appropriate fee as specified in Appendix “E”, on each occasion on which he presents himself for an examination either for a certificate of competency or for the endorsement of a certificate of competency.

(2) No part of the fee paid by a candidate shall be refundable or creditable in any case.

14. Eligibility fee. – A candidate enquiring as to his eligibility for examination shall be required to pay the appropriate fee as specified in Appendix “E” before any step is taken to enquire into his sea service or to his qualifications, etc.

15. Application for examination. –(1) A candidate, prior to applying for examination of any grade of certificate of competency in order to get his sea service assessed, shall submit an application through the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi, addressed to the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates along with prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”. Following certificate and documents to be attached, namely: -

(a) Seamen service book;

(b) medical fitness certificate as specified in rule 12;

(d) sea service testimonial as specified in rule 26.

(2) The Principal Examiner of Master and Mates shall issue a notice of eligibility to the candidate on a form as specified in Appendix “F”.

(3) An application form as set out in Appendix “G” duly filled in along with prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”, for all grades of certificate of competency examination or endorsement should be sent to the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates through the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi.

16. Arrangements for examination. –(1) All written examination papers for the certificate of competency class IV, class III and class II shall be set and marked entirely by the Examiners as specified in rule 48.

(2) The signal examination regarding a candidate for the certificate of competency class IV, class III and class II shall be conducted by an institute approved by the Federal Government, under the supervision of the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates.

(3) The oral examination regarding a candidate for the certificate of competency class IV, class III, class II and class I, shall be conducted under the supervision of the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates.

(4) A partial pass from written, oral and signal examination shall remain valid for three years where appropriate.

17. Re-examination. – A candidate may present himself for re- examination at any time as per examination schedule on payment of the prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”.

18. Issue of certificate of competency. –(1) When a candidate has successfully passed all parts of an examination and met all other mandatory conditions governing award, he shall receive an Authority Slip Exn. 16 (Pak). in the form as set out in Appendix “H”, authorizing the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi, to issue the certificate of competency of relevant grade.

(2) A certificate of competency awarded by the Federal Government or by another country but declared to have the same force as that awarded in Pakistan being a certificate of competency of lower grade held by a candidate, shall be surrendered before the superior certificate of competency is awarded.

(3) The candidates shall receive a record of their examination results on the prescribed form Exn. 17 (Pak) in the form as set out in Appendix “I”. This form must be produced along with application when a candidate presents himself for the next examination of certificate of competency.

19. Form of certificate of competency. – A certificate of competency and endorsement shall be issued in any of the form as set out in Appendix “J1” to “J4”.

20. Copy of lost certificate of competency. –(1) An applicant for a certified copy of the lost certificate of competency should fill in an application in form Exn. 23 (Pak) as set out in Appendix “K”, giving the necessary particulars and delivering it to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi, along with the prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”.

(2) Declaration as to the circumstances in which the certificate of competency was lost must be made by an applicant in front of the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi.

21. Physical and mental disability. –(1) A candidate shall not be allowed to continue his examination, if in the course of the examination the Examiner finds that the candidate is afflicted with deafness, with an impediment in speech or with some other physical or mental infirmity, and upon further investigation is satisfied that the degree of infirmity is such as to render the candidate incapable of discharging adequately the ordinary seagoing duties of the holder of certificate of competency.

(2) Every such case shall be reported and the candidate’s certificate of competency, if any, shall be forwarded with the report to the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates.

(3) If the candidate subsequently produces a medical certificate to the specific effect that his hearing, speech, or physical or mental condition has improved or is normal, the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates shall consider the candidate for re-examination.

CHAPTER III. – SEA SERVICE (GENERAL PROVISIONS)

22. Particulars of sea service. -(1) The period of qualifying sea service performed by a candidate for the eligibility to appear in the examination of any grade of certificate of competency shall depend upon following, namely: -

(a) The type of vessel;

(b) the voyages upon which the vessel is engaged; and

(2) The entries made in a seaman’s service book or discharge book supported by sea service testimonials as set out in Appendix “L” and Appendix “M” as appropriate shall be an evidence of sea service.

23. General requirements for qualifying sea service. -(1) The qualifying sea service as specified in Chapter IV for any grade of certificate of competency shall be reckoned from the date of engagement to the date of discharge from the vessel.

(2) Minimum six months of the qualifying sea service must be performed within five years preceding the application.

(3) A candidate for certificate of competency class IV shall produce a statement from his employers or the masters, under whom he has served, that a minimum of six months has been spent on navigational watch keeping in the last twelve months of his sea service, under the supervision of an officer holding a certificate of competency.

24. Sea service in non-trading vessels. –(1) A candidate who has served on non-trading vessels, the required qualifying sea service for any grade of certificate of competency shall be counted in the following manner, namely: -

(a) On Pakistan Navy vessels at sea, at full rate, and in addition must have three months sea service on merchant ships;

(b) on fishery protection vessels, research and survey vessels, survey vessels, navigational aid tenders, stand by vessels and sea going ferries, at full rate provided that two-third of the time on board is spent at sea. In addition must have served six moths on merchant ships;

(c) on stand by new construction in final stages or vessels in dry dock or undergoing engine repairs, two months of total stay on board shall be counted for certificate of competency class IV and class III, three months for candidates holding certificate of competency class II and class I; and

(d) on sea going tugs shall be counted at full rate.

(2) Subject to sub-rule (1), a candidate not fulfilling the sea service requirements the certificate of competency shall be limited, either temporarily or permanently, for service only on certain types of ships or trades.

25. Remission from qualifying sea service for certificate of competency class III and class IV. –(1) The requirement of thirty-six months sea service for certificate of competency class III and class IV shall be reduced by remissions granted in respect of attendance at approved course of training, and in recognition of certain higher academic qualifications achieved in following institutes, namely: -

(a) Candidates passed out from Pakistan Marine Academy, shall be granted twelve months remission from the required sea service;

(b) candidates passed out from Pakistan Naval Academy, shall be granted half the time spent at the Academy but not exceeding twelve months remission from the required sea service;

(c) from any institute approved by the Federal Government, conducting preparatory course for certificate of competency class IV and class III, shall be granted three months remission from the required sea service; and

(d) From any university in Pakistan or university recognized by the Federal Government having a B.Sc. Degree in mathematics and applied sciences shall be granted six months remission from the required sea service.

(2) A candidate may qualify for remission under more than one heading but the total remission shall not be granted for more than twelve months.

26.Testimonials required. -(1) A candidate applying for the examination of certificate of competency class IV or certificate of competency class III shall produce sea service testimonials specimen as set out in Appendix “L”.

(2) A candidate applying for the examination of certificate of competency class II or certificate of competency class I shall produce sea service testimonial specimen as set out in Appendix “M”.

(3) The testimonials shall be signed by the master of the ship in which qualifying sea service has been performed. In the case of service as master, a responsible official of the company concerned shall sign the sea service testimonials.

CHAPTER IV. - QUALIFYING SEA SERVICE

27. Certificate of competency (Deck Officers) class IV. – A deck cadet in order to appear for the examination of certificate of competency class IV must have completed thirty-six months of sea service on an ordinary trading vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more.

(2) A deck rating in order to appear for the examination of certificate of competency class IV must have completed forty-two months of sea service on an ordinary trading vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more.

(3) A radio operator in order to appear for the examination of certificate of competency class IV must have completed fifty-four months of sea service on an ordinary trading vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more.

(4) Subject to sub-rules (1), (2) and (3) a minimum of six months should be spent on navigational watch keeping in the last twelve months of his sea service under the supervision of an officer holding a certificate of competency.

28. Certificate of competency (Deck Officers) class III. –The requirements of qualifying sea service to appear in the examination of certificate of competency class III shall be the same as specified in rule 27.

29. Certificate of competency (Deck Officers) class II. – In order to qualify to appear for the examination of certificate of competency class II, each candidate must have completed twelve months of sea service on an ordinary trading vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more, while holding a certificate of competency class IV or class III.

30. Certificate of competency (Deck Officers) class I Master Mariner. –(1) In order to qualify to appear for the examination of certificate of competency class I, each candidate must have completed as the officer in charge of a navigational watch for not less than thirty-six months at sea provided that at least twelve months of the thirty-six months sea service must have been performed while holding certificate of competency class II, on an ordinary trading vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more.

31. Sea service requirements for naval personnel. –(1) Subject rule 31 naval personnel on active service or retired who have attained the rank of Lieutenant in the executive branch of the Pakistan Navy shall be allowed to appear for the examination of certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class IV and class III provided they have total of thirty-six months sea service in the following manner, namely: -

(a) Minimum three months or more sea service on merchant ships of five hundred gross tonnage or more; and

(b) remaining sea service actually at sea on naval ships of five hundred gross tonnage or more.

(2) Naval personnel on active service or retired who have attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the executive branch of the Pakistan Navy and have completed not less than forty-two months watch keeping service actually at sea on naval vessels of five hundred gross tonnage or more shall be allowed to appear for the examination of certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class I.

CHAPTER V. – ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

32. Certificate of competency (Deck Officers) class IV. –(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) have performed the requisite sea service as specified in rule 27.

(2) A candidate shall be granted remission in requisite sea service as specified in rule 25.

33.Certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class III. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) have performed the requisite sea service as specified in rule 27.

(2) A candidate shall be granted remission in requisite sea service as specified in rule 25.

34.Certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class II. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty-one years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) hold certificate of competency class III; and

(e) have performed the requisite sea service as specified in rule 29.

35.Certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class I Master Mariner. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty two years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) hold certificate of competency class II; and

(e) have performed the requisite sea service as specified in rule 30.

36. Eligibility for naval personnel. –(1) A candidate for the certificate of competency class IV and class III shall, -

(a) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(b) have carried out ancillary training as specified in Appendix “C”; and

(2) A candidate for the certificate of competency class I shall, -

(a) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(b) have carried out ancillary training as specified in Appendix “C”; and

(3) No certificate of competency of any grade shall be granted without examination.

CHAPTER VI. – ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENDORSEMENTS

37. Master (home trade) endorsement. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty-two years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) hold certificate of competency class III; and

(e) have served not less than thirty-six months at sea as the officer in charge of a navigational watch in ordinary trading vessels of five hundred gross tonnage or more whilst holding a certificate of competency class III or class IV.

38. Master (coasting ship) endorsement. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty-two years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) hold certificate of competency class IV; and

39. Tug Master (unlimited) endorsement. -(1) A candidate shall, -

(a) be not less than twenty-two years of age;

(b) be medically fit including hearing, eye sight and colour vision as specified in Appendix “D”;

(d) hold certificate of competency class II; and

(e) have served at least eighteen months as first watch keeping officer in tugs.

CHAPTER VII. – EXEMPTIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND EXAMINERS

40. Exemptions. - A candidate having a degree of B.Sc. with subjects mathematics and physics shall be granted exemption from either or both papers which are included in the syllabus of certificate of competency (Deck Officer) class III examination.

41. Examination for grant of certificate of competency class IV. – (1) The examination for the grant of certificate of competency class IV shall be written, oral and signal at an operation level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “N”, and shall consist of the following subjects, namely: -

(a) Written papers:

(i) General ship knowledge (one paper of two and a half hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(ii) Cargo operation and stability (one paper of two and a half hours. Minimum pass marks 60%);

(iii) Ocean and off shore navigation (One paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 70%);

(iv) Coastal navigation (one paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 70%); and

(v) Meteorology (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(b) Oral examination; and

(2) If a candidate has passed in any three written papers, he shall be declared as partial pass in written examination. The validity of the passed papers shall be for three years. The candidate may appear in failed papers on any next scheduled examination date.

42. Examination for grant of certificate of competency class III. – (1) The examination for grant of certificate of competency class III shall be written, oral and signal at an operational level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “O”, and shall consist of the following subjects, namely: -

(a) Written papers:

(i) Applied science (one paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(ii) Principles of Navigation (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 50%); and

(iii) Mathematics, pure and applied (one paper of two and half hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(b) Oral examination; and

(2) If a candidate has passed in any one written paper, he shall be declared as partial pass in written examination. The validity of the passed papers shall be for three years. The candidate may appear in failed papers on any next scheduled examination date.

43. Examination for grant of certificate of competency class II. – (1) The examination for grant of certificate of competency class II shall be written, oral and signal at management level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “P”, and shall consist of the following subjects, which are divided into two blocks A and B with four subjects in each block, namely: -

(a) Block “A” written papers:

(i) Navigation instrumentation (one paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 60%);

(ii) Meteorology (one paper of two and half hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(iii) Business and law (one paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 50%); and

(iv) Navigation command (one paper of two and half hours. Minimum pass marks 60%).

(b) Block “B” written papers:

(i) Engineering and control systems (one paper of two and half hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(ii) Ship board operations (one paper of two and half hours. Minimum pass marks 50%);

(iii) Ship construction (One paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 60%); and

(iv) Ship stability command operation (One paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 60%);

(d) Signal.

(2) If a candidate has passed in any two written papers of block “A” or block “B” separately, he shall be declared as partial pass in written examination. The validity of the passed papers shall be for three years. The candidate may appear in failed papers on any next scheduled examination date.

44. Examination for grant of certificate of competency class I Master Mariner. – The examination for grant of certificate of competency class I shall be oral only at management level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “Q”.

45. Examination for grant of Master (home trade) endorsement. - The examination for grant of Master (home trade) endorsement shall be written and oral at management level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “R”, and shall consist of the following subjects, namely: -

(a) Written papers:

(i) Ship construction and stability (one paper of three hours. Minimum pass marks 60%);

(ii) Business and law (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 50%); and

(iii) Magnetic compass, Gyrocompass and Navigational aids (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 60%).

(b) Oral.

(2) If a candidate has passed in any one written paper, he shall be declared as partial pass in written examination. The validity of the passed paper shall be for three years. The candidate may appear in failed papers on any next scheduled examination date.

46. Examination for grant of Master (coasting ship) endorsement. - The examination for grant of Master (coaster ship) endorsement shall be written and oral at management level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “R”. and shall consist of the following subjects, namely: -

(b) Written papers:

(i) Ship construction and stability (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 60%); and

(ii) Magnetic compass, Gyrocompass and Navigational aids (one paper of two hours. Minimum pass marks 60%).

(b) Oral.

47. Examination for grant of Tug Master (unlimited, home trade area and coastal trade area) endorsement. - The examination for grant of Tug Master (unlimited, home trade area and coastal trade area) endorsement shall be oral only at management level according to the syllabus as specified in Appendix “R”.

48. Principal Examiner of Master and Mates. - The Chief Nautical Surveyor in the Director General Ports and Shipping shall be the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates.

49. Examiners. – The following shall be the Examiners for the purpose of these rules, namely: -

(a) Chief Nautical surveyor in the Directorate General Ports and Shipping;

(b) Deputy Chief Nautical Surveyor and Nautical Surveyor attached to the Directorate General Ports and Shipping; and

50. Board of Examiners. –(1) The Federal Government shall constitute a Board of Examiners from amongst the Examiners specified in rule 49, which shall conduct all examinations of the Deck Officers. The Board of Examiners so constituted shall, in performance of its functions, be subject to the supervision of the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates.

51. Result of examination. – The Principal Examiner of Master and Mates shall communicate results of the various examinations to the candidates.

52. Appellate Board. – The Director-General, Ports and Shipping, in consultation with the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates, shall appoint an Appellate Board, consisting of at least two persons who remained as ex-Principal Examiner of Master and Mates or ex-Examiner in the Directorate General of Ports and Shipping. . 53. Appeal. –(1) An aggrieved candidate may prefer an appeal personally before the Appellate Board appointed under rule 52 within twenty days after the receipt of his result on payment of the prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”.

(2) The following shall be the functions of the Appellate Board appointed under sub-rule (1), namely: -

(a) To consider the appeals on the subject of examination;

(b) to see that questions have been marked, and the totaling of the marks given is correct; and

(c) to ensure that the standard of marking is balanced with all other candidates, who have either failed or passed and no injustice has been done to the aggrieved candidate.

CHAPTER VIII. – REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

54. Conditions for revalidation of certificate of competency. –(1) Every Deck Officer holding certificate of competency which is recognized under the International Convention on Standard of Training and Certification of Watch keeping for seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995, who is serving at sea or intends to return to sea after a period ashore, shall be required to revalidate certificate of competency granted to him at intervals not exceeding five years, to establish continued professional competence in accordance with section A-I/11 of the said convention, read with regulation I/11 thereof.

(2) The date from which the five years period of validity shall commence be the latest qualifying date shown in the certificate of competency.

(3) There shall be no time limit on application under this rule for revalidation of a certificate of competency irrespective of the date on which it ceases to be valid for sea going service.

55. Requirements for revalidation of certificate of competency. – (1) In order to fulfill the requirements for revalidation, a certificate of competency holder shall, -

(a) meet the medical fitness including eye sight and hearing requirements as specified in Appendix “D”; and

(b) have served in the appropriate capacity on sea-going ships of any flag for at least twelve months (which need not be continuous) during the preceding five years.

(2) Where a certificate of competency holder has not served sufficient time to satisfy the requirements of clause (b) of sub-rule (1), for the eligibility of revalidation of certificate of competency, the candidate shall serve for three months on ships having gross tonnage of five hundred or more, other than fishing vessels, in a supernumerary capacity.

(3) A Deck Officer who is a holder of certificate of competency and has served at sea in a lower rank for the certificate of competency granted to him, in a vessel of five hundred gross tonnage or more, should have served for at least three months immediately prior to applying for revalidation, but the total sea service should be as specified in clause (b) of sub-rule (1).

56. Acceptable occupations. -(1) A Deck Officer who has performed functions relating to the duties appropriate to the grade of certificate of competency held which are considered to be at least equivalent to the sea service required for revalidation of certificate of competency, shall be considered favourably. In this regard, the following is the list of acceptable occupations, namely: -

(a) Examiners of Masters and Mates, Nautical Surveyors including Government Ship’s Surveyors, Deputy or Chief Nautical Surveyors employed in any Government Maritime safety Administration or setup;

(b) Directors related with ports and shipping affairs employed in any Government Maritime Safety Administration;

(d) Marine Superintendents or ship repair managers;

(e) Classification Society Surveyors;

(f) Pilots licensed by a Pilotage Authority;

(g) Harbour Masters, Dock Masters and Deputy Conservators of ports;

(h) Dredging Superintendents or Dredging Masters;

(i) Hydrographic Surveyors; and

(j) Ship and cargo Surveyors.

(2) A certificate of competency holder must have been engaged in any of the occupations specified in sub-rule (1) for at least two and a half years in the proceeding five years which need not to be continous.

(3) A Deck officer who does not meet the revalidation criteria given in sub-rule (1) and clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 55 for revalidation of certificate of competency should either, -

(i) appear in written examination as per the syllabus as set out in Appendix “S”; or

(ii) carry out preparatory course of up grading of knowledge at an institute approved by the Federal Government.

57.Application for revalidation of certificate of competency. –An application in the form as set out in Appendix “T”, together with supporting documents and the prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E” should be submitted to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi, for revalidation of certificate of competency.

58. Revalidation of certificate of competency. - A candidate who fulfills the requirements of clauses (a), (b) and (c) of sub-rule (1) of rule 55 shall be granted revalidation of certificate of competency granted to him for further five years, and an endorsement certificate as set out in Appendix “U” shall be attached to the certificate of competency.

CHAPTER IX. – TANKER ENDORSEMENT AND ITS REVALIDATION

59. Requirements for tanker endorsement. - A certificate of competency shall be endorsed for service on tankers carrying oil, chemical or liquefied gases for those candidates who meet the approved training and sea service requirements in accordance with regulation V/1 of the International Convention on Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995.

60. Qualifying conditions. - In each case within the five years period prior to the date of application for tanker endorsement, a candidate should have, -

(a) completed a specialized training course for the relevant type of tanker, approved by the Federal Government; and

(b) minimum of six months accredited ship board service on relevant type of tanker.

61. Application for tanker endorsement. –(1) An application in the from as set out in Appendix “V” for tanker endorsement along with the prescribed fee as specified in Appendix “E”, should be submitted to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Karachi. In addition the candidate shall be required to produce certificate of competency granted to him along with certificate of sea service, seamen’s service book or continues discharge certificate, and confirmatory evidence of training and sea service as specified in this rule and report of tanker sea service as set out in Appendix “W”.

(2) A candidates who is suitably qualified may apply on an application form as set out in Appendix “V” for more than one endorsement. Separate fee as specified in Appendix “E” shall be charged for each endorsement granted in respect of each such application.

62. Grant of tanker endorsement. - In order to qualify for the grant of a tanker endorsement, a Deck Officers holding certificate of competency must have completed specialized training course approved by the Federal Government together with a period of shipboard training and appropriate sea service as specified in rule 60.

63. Multiple endorsements. – Where endorsements for service on a second or third type of tanker are sought, the requirement for six months sea service on the specific type of tanker may be substituted by successful completion of twenty-eight days approved by the Federal Government shipboard training involving at least one loading and one discharging operation.

64. Revalidation of tanker endorsements. –(1) Subject to sub-rule (3), a Deck Officer holding certificate of competency carrying tanker endorsement shall, in order to qualify for grant of revalidation of tanker endorsement held by him, provide evidence of at least three months sea service (which need not be continuous) in any type of tanker during the preceding five years.

(2) A Deck Officer who has not served in a tanker during the preceding five years period shall have his tanker endorsements withdrawn.

(3) Before tanker endorsement, that has been withdrawn, is revalidated a Deck Officer shall be required to either, -

(a) attend a shore-based Tanker Safety Course approved by the Federal Government; or

(b) undertake fourteen days supervised shipboard training with the prior permission of the Federal Government in a supernumerary capacity in the type of tanker in which he intends to serve.

CHAPTER X. - PENALITIES

65. Penalty for misconduct. - Where in the opinion of the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates, a candidate has been found guilty of any misconduct in relation to an examination including insolence to any Examiner or disorderly or improper conduct in or outside the room where the examination is held, or a breach of any of these rules, the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates may take action in one or more of the following manners, namely: -

(a) Where the examination has not commenced or has not been completed, the candidate shall not be permitted to appear in the examination or, as the case may be, to take further part therein;

(b) where the candidate has been declared successful in the examination but has not been granted the certificate of competency, the certificate of competency shall be withheld for such period as the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates may direct; and

(c) the candidate may be debarred from appearing in any examination under these rules for such period as the Principal Examiner of Master and Mates may direct.

66. Penalty for copying. - In the event of any candidate being found referring to any unauthorized book or copying from another candidate or affording any assistance or giving any information to another candidate or communicating in any way with anyone during the time of examination or copying any part of the problems for the purpose of taking them out of the examination room, he shall be regarded as fail in that subject and shall not be allowed to present himself for re-examination for a period of six months. A candidate guilty of a second offence of such nature shall not be allowed to present himself for re-examination until twelve months have elapsed since the date of the second offence.