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GMDSS Endorsement Procedure

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Recently for GMDSS Endorsement, MMD started asking sea-time letter with a particular line about GMDSS Radio watches. This resulted in many mariners GMDSS Endorsement getting rejected. The line which caused this confusion is Record of sea service of ONE year in the last five years performing the duties of Radio Communication or equivalent ..... So in short when you ask your Shipping Company in India for your Sea service letter, ask them to include a line something like During this tenure, he operated GMDSS Equipment and kept GMDSS Radio Watch satisfactorilyYeh ! I know its perfect example of red-tapeism !



GMDSS Endorsement Procedure
After renewing my GMDSS I applied for GMDSS Endorsement at MMD Kolkata as well as MMD Delhi (Noida) (details later).

GMDSS Endorsement Application form
I am attaching the Documents Checklist page of GMDSS Endorsement Form for your guidance.GMDSS Endorsement Form (zip) [631.38 KB]
Different MMD have different manually altered GMDSS Endorsement Form and hence only possible solution is to contact MMD. At the time of writing this GMDSS Endorsement Procedure, MMD Chennai still had old GMDSS Endorsement Application form on their website !

Documents required for GMDSS Endorsement

1. GMDSS Endorsement Form duly filled (Checklist part attached above)
2. Two Colour Passport size photograph
3. Original Challan of Fees (3000 INR, Please check Revised MMD Fees)
4. Copy of GMDSS GOC and renewal, if any (Self attested)
5. Original Sea Service letter from RPSL approved shipping company as described above
6. Copy of INDOS Certificate (Self attested)
7. Copy of CDC (Sea service in last 5 years Self attested)
8. Copy of Passport (1st and last Page Self attested)
9. Copy of Valid Medical Fitness Certificate from DG Shipping approved Doctor (Self attested)
10. Updated DG Shipping profile printout (Signed in the end)

GMDSS Endorsement Chaos at MMD

1. For GMDSS Endorsement which STCW 2010 Courses are required ?
   Previously MMD wanted you to do STCW 2010 courses and for short duration they were issuing GMDSS Endorsement till Dec 2016 only ! However they realized this error and have modified the GMDSS Endorsement form checklist accordinglyGMDSS Endorsement Form (zip) [631.38 KB]
2. How long it takes to get GMDSS Endorsement ?
   At MMD Kolkata it is generally done within a day, while at MMD Mumbai you are called next day !
3. Any special requirements for GMDSS Endorsement at MMD Mumbai ?
   YES, please fill MMD Profile too ! (MMD Seafarer Profile not required at MMD Mumbai) Special thanks to Capt Delson Roche for sharing his experience for MMD Mumbai as detailed belowGMDSS endorsement is now called GMDSS CoC. At MMD exam centre, 1st floor, window 2, Applications for this GMDSS CoC are given. Window opens at 10AM (Monday to Thursday). Once the application+ checklist and challan is collected, Challan to be filled up and payment has to be done of (3000+50 Rs) at the bank.
   
   Important pointers here. MMD requires medical in new MMD format only. There are more than enough clinics around MMD to have this issue sorted. This will be the least of your problems.
   
   You will need to update and get printouts of DG profile and MMD profile (Both profiles). Complete set.
   
   In MMD profile your name and Place of birth has to be in CAPITAL letters - else you have to go to Churchgate MMD building and change it to Capital letters.
   
   Next, you have to go to MMD site and fill up an application form for GMDSS renewal. Your Challan number has to be entered during this procedure. Now it so happens that if you have previously renewed you GMDSS endorsement online, then the previous application still exists in the MMD database and you cannot apply for a new one (mine was applied 4 years ago)- so you have to go to the same window 2, and request them to remove it for you. They will ask you for you MMD login / Password and old GMDSS application number. Write it on a piece of paper and give it to them. They ideally will remove it in 15 minutes. (You will get the old application number from MMD site. After you login, click on "View application status") Once your old application status is removed (else keep imploring them now and then) you can submit the new one. Get a print out of this document too and attach it with all your papers and submit.
   
   Photos: Requirement for photos. Blue background, white shirt with tie or coat, no printed patters on shirt, matt finish passport size.
   
   Seatime letter: Original required from the company. The seatime letter should have RPSL number of the company and also be addressed to the "Principal officer MMD" (very important- they do not accept "to whomsoever it may concern")
   Submit all these documents to the same window no. 2, by 12 PM. (else come the next day and do it)
   
   Once documents are scrutinized and accepted, you will receive the GMDSS Coc the next day, evening at 4PM at the same window.
4. What is the validity of GMDSS Endorsement given by MMD now ?
   5 years from issuing OR expiry of your GMDSS GOC, whichever is earlier !
5. Why is COC and COP Checker so important for GMDSS Endorsement ?
   While GMDSS Endorsement Form does not have anything mentioned, MMD Delhi and MMD Mumbai ask mariners to verify and get COC Checker and COP Checker updated prior accepting your GMDSS Endorsement Form.
   Please note as per DG Shipping Circular, it is respective MMD responsibility to get incorrect data modified. Since MMD Delhi refused my GMDSS Endorsement Form because of this I filed an RTI for same. Interested mariners can download it at RTI for DG Shipping COC COP Checker (zip) [9.29 KB]
6. Did MMD stopped issuing GMDSS Endorsement to UK GMDSS COC holder ?
   I found DG Shipping Circular for list of Foreign COC, approved by DG Shipping. However MMD stopped issuing GMDSS Endorsement to UK GMDSS COC, without any proper notice recently. We also found that there is a huge disparity how each MMD in India is working right now !
   I have filed an RTI seeking clarity about MMD Forms and procedures too (Sorry not for UK COC though), however we are still unsure about it !
   Last heard MMD Kolkata was accepting UK COC for GMDSS Endorsement ! I found a senior 2nd mate doing GMDSS Course for Indian GMDSS but a senior master was told at MMD Kolkata that his UK GMDSS is accepted !

I will end this GMDSS Endorsement procedure detail with a reminder that by completing your profile you can get alerts before expiry of your Personal documents, as well as renewal procedures like these ! Our STCW 2010 sea-time calculator can also guide you about STCW 2010 Courses required to be done and Sea-time required for next Maritime Examination.

I have followed this post with COC revalidation procedure and will be obliged if you can add your personal experience to this GMDSS Endorsement procedure. Thanks and best of luck.