What is the minimum sea time required for alternative dual certification in India?

If you have completed an approved 6-month GP Rating training, you require 8 months of approved seagoing service (4 months deck, 4 months engine) to qualify for dual II/4 and III/4 certification.

Can I perform both deck and engine duties during the same watch with a dual CoP?

No. According to Rule 69, dual certification cannot be used to justify assigning combined navigational and engine-room watchkeeping duties to a single CoP holder during the same watch.

Where do I apply for the certification for seafarers ratings and able seafarer online?

Applications for dual certification must be directed to the concerned Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). Until the DGMA updates its digital examination system for this specific workflow, candidates must submit their paperwork manually.

Alternative/Dual Certification for Seafarers (Ratings and Able Seafarer)

DGMA, through its Circular No. 53 of 2026, has created an easier path for obtaining the Alternative/Dual Certification for Seafarers (Ratings and Able Seafarer). This new regulation is consistent with the STCW Convention and the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules, 2014, making it possible for seafarers to have dual Certificates of Proficiency for deck and engine-room positions.

Alternative/Dual Certification for Seafarers (Ratings & Able Seafarer)

Understanding Alternative Dual Certification in India

By convention, seafarers were either engaged in navigating (deck work) or marine engineering (engine-room work). Nevertheless, the six-month pre-sea training 'Training for General Purpose (GP) Ratings' is a comprehensive training program that encompasses both navigation as well as engine-room work. According to Rule 68 of Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules, 2014, the DGMA has made possible for the seafarers to take up the integrated program in their ship and get themselves an alternative dual certification in India.

More importantly, the alternative dual certification cannot be used by the shipping company to decrease the crew strength and combine deck and engine watchkeeping duties in one person.

Certification Pathways and Sea Service Requirements

In order to get both certifications, mariners should undergo certain authorized seagoing service directly under the supervision of qualified officers or ratings. The following are the exact requirements based on the type of certification sought.

1. Dual Certification for Rating Forming Part of a Watch (II/4 & III/4)

For a combined Certificate of Proficiency as a Rating forming part of a Navigational Watch (II/4) and an Engine-Room Watch (III/4), candidates must complete one of the following pathways:

Pathway	Total Sea Service	Navigational Watch Duties	Engine-Room Duties
Option A (No Pre-Sea)	24 Months	12 Months	12 Months
Option B (With GP Training)	8 Months	4 Months	4 Months

2. Dual Certification for Able Seafarer (II/5 & III/5)

Seamen who already possess a CoP for dual ratings shall be eligible to upgrade to the Able Seafarer-Deck (II/5) and Able Seafarer-Engine (III/5) ratings by satisfying competency requirements and undertaking any of the following:

Option A: 30 months’ worth of recognized sea service (18 months deck, 12 months engine).
Option B: 6-month GP training course followed by 18 months of sea service (12 months deck, 6 months engine).
Option C: Specific integrated deck-engine training course followed by 12 months of sea service (6 months deck, 6 months engine).Applying for Alternative Dual Certification Online

In order to apply for your certificate for seafarers’ ratings and able seafarer online, the DGMA requires that a combined Training and Assessment Record (TAR) Book is kept for both navigation and engine room jobs. Applicants should submit their applications to the relevant Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). At the moment, the applications should be sent manually until the Directorate’s Examination and Certification System provides a complete automation of the process.

For those interested in booking mandatory STCW modular courses for upgrading your CoP, you should always use stcwcoursefinder for the purpose of searching and booking your courses at DG approved maritime training institutions.

Conclusion

This is provided by DGMA Circular 53 of 2026, which provides a well-defined and officially accepted means of attesting the wide range of skills possessed by GP Ratings. Through meeting both sea service qualifications and updating their TAR Books, Indian seafarers will be able to increase their international employment prospects without sacrificing safety at sea.