The Centre today abolished decades-old requirements of sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Passes SLP for all Indian vessels exclusively operating in Indian waters. In an Office Memorandum, the Home Ministry said, it has been decided to do away with sign-on, sign-off and SLP for the crew or supernumerary of Indian Flag coastal run vessels, dredgers or barges or research vessels operating within port limits.
Welcoming the decision Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, Narendra Modi Government stands strong with India’s Seafarers. He said, towards empowering the Indian Seafarers, Union Home Ministry has abolished decades-old requirements.
The matter was brought to the notice of Home Ministry that Indian Seafarers are facing difficulties with the existing immigration procedures of sign-on, sign-off and SLP during coastal run as the physical presence of the crew members is required at the immigration office for the issuance of the SLP and its further extension every 10 days, which wass creating difficulties for the seafarers in discharging their duties onboard the ship.
