The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) in India decided to discontinue exit exams for seafarers primarily to streamline the certification process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The decision was influenced by several key factors:
Reasons for Discontinuation of Exit Exams
- Redundancy in Assessment
- Seafarers already undergo rigorous training and evaluations through approved maritime training institutes (MTIs). The exit exam was seen as an additional, unnecessary step that duplicated assessments conducted during the course.
- Global Best Practices
- Many IMO-compliant maritime nations do not have separate exit exams. Instead, they rely on training institutes and regulatory bodies to ensure competency. Aligning with global standards enhances the competitiveness of Indian seafarers.
- Reduction of Administrative Burden
- The exam process required extensive coordination between DG Shipping, training institutes, and seafarers. By eliminating it, the process of issuing certificates becomes faster and more efficient.
- Industry Feedback & Challenges
- Stakeholders, including shipowners, training institutes, and seafarers, raised concerns about delays and logistical issues related to the exit exams. Removing it helps in reducing unnecessary delays in joining vessels.
- Ensuring Training Quality Instead
- Instead of an additional exam, DG Shipping is focusing on enhancing the quality of training at maritime institutes, ensuring that seafarers are well-prepared before certification.
- Encouraging Digital & Continuous Learning
- The shift is part of a broader move towards digital certification, e-learning modules, and competency-based assessments, which provide more flexibility to seafarers.
Refresher Courses Primarily Practical in Nature
The following refresher courses are primarily practical-based with limited theoretical content, making exit exams unnecessary:
- Refresher in Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
- Refresher in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
- Refresher in Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
- Refresher in Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
Candidate Difficulties & Inconvenience
- DG Shipping received feedback from candidates about the challenges and inconvenience caused by the exit examination requirement for certain refresher and revalidation courses.
- These concerns contributed to the decision to discontinue the exit exams.
Final Decision
- In light of these considerations, the Directorate has determined that exit examinations will no longer apply to seafarers undergoing training in India.
- This step aims to simplify the certification process, reduce delays, and align Indian maritime training with global best practices.
