You Want to know about the CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate)...

What is a C.D.C and how do I get it ?
“C.D.C” means a Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarer’s Identity Document. Any person who fulfills all the eligibility conditions as specified in rules 4 and 5 of these rules, for the issue of a CDC, may apply to the shipping master at Nau Bhavan, 10, R.K. Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai-400001 or The shipping master, Shipping Office, Marine House, Hastings, Calcutta - 700 022 or shipping master, Mercantile Marine Department, Anchorgate Building, 2nd floor, P.B.No.5004, Rajaji Salai, chennai-600001, by registered post. Every application shall be accompanied by two copies of the applicant’s recent photograph, copies of relevant certificates or documents duly attested by a Gazetted Officer as proof of eligibility, and a signed declaration to the effect that the applicant has not previously been issued a CDC and has not submitted an application for CDC to any other shipping master, along with a fee of five hundred rupees (non refundable).
Eligibility conditions for applicant seaman other than Certificated Officers - 

The applicant should be a citizen of India, and his age should be as follows

For Deck ,Engine and Catering (Saloon) rating trainees - between 18 and 25 years of age

For Utility Hand - Between 18 and 40 years

For Petty Officers (Carpenter, Chief Steward, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Pump man, Refrigeration Mechanic, Computer Operator, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Automobile Engineering, Pipe Fitter, Motor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, General Mechanic, Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic( Tool Engineering), Welder, Electric Arc Welder, Turner, Boiler Attendant, Electronic Mechanic) - Between 18 and 40 years of age

For ex-Naval ratings - Upto 45 years of age

For non-certificated Officers such as Purser/Ship’s clerk, Electrical officer and Electronic Officer - Between 18 and 40 years.

The crucial date for determining the age-limit shall be the closing date for receipt of application. Normally, the date of birth as mentioned in the School Leaving certificate shall be accepted as proof of evidence of date of birth of an applicant. In respect of ex-Naval applicants, the date of birth indicated in Form No. Indian Navy 271 shall only be the proper documentary proof to this effect.

Educational Qualifications :

For Deck, Engine, and Catering(Saloon) Trainees - Xth standard passed


For Utility Hands - VIII standard passed

For Petty Officer - Xth Std. passed with respective trade certificate from ITI (National Trade Certificate)(NTC) or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) or Diploma Certificates approved by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The minimum duration of the courses from any one of the above institutes shall be two years.

For Purser/Ship’s clerk - A graduate with knowledge of accountancy and computer operation.

For Electrical and Electronic Officer - A Diploma or Degree in respective Branch from a Government recognized Polytechnic or recognized University

Note – CDC in the category of Utility Hand shall be issued only if candidate is sponsored by a shipping company.

For Medical fitness, the applicants should possess a certificate in the prescribed form issued in Annexures “E” and “F” 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 CDC as Deck, Engine and Catering (Saloon) Trainee shall have successfully completed the pre-sea training for ratings from an approved training institute as prescribed under sub-clause (b) of clause (ii) of sub-rule (2) of rule 28 of the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarer’s) Rules, 1998.

An applicant for issue of CDC shall have undergone the basic familiarization training and instructions as prescribed under sub-rule (1) of rule 33 of the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training ,Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarer’s ) Rules, 1998

Eligibility for Certificated Officers

A citizen of India who is in possession of a valid certificate of competency or who has been declared successful in the final examination of the three years B.Sc. (Nautical Science) course approved by the Director General of Shipping or who has been declared passed or exempted in Marine Engineer Officer Class-II Part A Examination , is eligible for issue of a C.D.C .

The Trainee Marine Engineer, Trainee Radio Officers and Deck Cadets, who have completed the prescribed pre-sea training and are eligible to proceed to sea shall also be eligible to apply for issue of CDCs .

Navigational Watch-keeping Officer (NCV), Marine Officer Class-IV and ex-Indian Naval Officer in possession of a Watch-keeping Certificate, who have completed written examination and are required to undergo on board training for appearing oral examination shall also be eligible to request for issue of CDCs specifying the incumbent’s rank or category.

A citizen of India who is in possession of a valid Certificate of competency issued by any foreign nation, is eligible to request for issue of a CDC.
All the applicants mentioned in sub rules (1) and (2) above shall have undergone the basic familiarization training and instructions as prescribed under sub-rule (2) of rule 33 of the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarer’s) Rules, 1998.

Issue of C.D.Cs - (1) The Shipping Master shall, after the descriptive particulars of the applicant have been entered in and the photograph affixed to the C.D.C., affix his signature and official seal on the photograph and issue the same to the applicant , who fulfills all the conditions laid down in rules 4 and 5.
A C.D.C. issued under these rules shall be in Form-1 and shall be serially numbered.

Register of C.D.C.s

The Shipping Master shall maintain a register of C.D.Cs issued to seamen from his port, in Form-2, which shall contain all the particulars recorded in the C.D.C.

All subsequent entries in the C.D.Cs issued from the port shall also be recorded in the said Register

Period of ValidityA C.D.C. granted under these rules shall be valid for a period of ten years and may be renewed on expiry or within 6 months prior to date of expiry, on a request from the holder, for a further period up to ten years at a time if the holder is a serving Seamen and his C.D.C. has not been cancelled, withdrawn or suspended under these rules.

If the period of validity of CDC of a Seamen expires during the voyage, it shall continue to be valid till the end of the voyage.

A recent photograph taken within the last three months should be affixed to the CDC at the time of renewal while retaining the old photograph.

ISSUE OF CDC TO SERVING NAVAL OFFICERSThe Naval Headquarters, New Delhi vide their letter No. NA/1387/DG Shipping dated 10 Jul 03 has intimated Director General of Shipping that there is no objection to the issue of CDCs to serving naval personnel.