Section 78: [ Grades of certificates of competency

Q: What does Section 78 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (TMSA) deal with?

Section 78 TMSA pertains to "[ Grades of certificates of competency". It is part of the The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 78 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (TMSA) governs [ Grades of certificates of competency. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 78 TMSA still in force?

Yes, Section 78 of the The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 78 TMSA?

धारा 78 TMSA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 78 of the The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Section 78 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (TMSA) governs [ Grades of certificates of competency. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 78 TMSA?

Dhara 78 TMSA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 78 of the The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 78 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (TMSA) governs [ Grades of certificates of competency. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 78 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958?

Cite as: "Section 78, The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (TMSA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, § 78 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1)

Certificates of competency shall be granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act for each of the following grades, namely:-

extra Master;

master of a foreign-going ship;

First mate of a foreign-going ship;

second mate of a foreign-going ship;

master of a home-trade ship;

mate of a home-trade ship;

navigational watchkeeping officer;

extra first class engineer;

marine engineer officer class I;

marine engineer officer class II;

maine engineer officer class III;

marine engineer officer class IV;

engine driver of a sea-going ship;

skipper grade I of a fising vessel;

skipper grade II of a fishing vessel;

mate of a fishing vessel;

engineer of a fishing vessel;

engine driver of a fishing vessel;

dredger master grade I;

dredger master grade II;

dredger mate grade I;

dredger mate grade II;

dredger engineer grade I;

dredger engineer grade II;

dredger driver grade I;

dredger driver grade II;

(2)

A certificate of competency granted for any grade of engineer or engine driver shall state whether it entitles the holder to act as engineer of ships or fishing vessels fitted with steam or motor engines or with any other type of engines and the holder shall not be entitled to act as engineer of a ship fitted with a type of engine not stated in the certificate "> (2) A certificate of competency granted for any grade of engineer or engine driver shall state whether it entitles the holder to act as engineer of ships or fishing vessels fitted with steam or motor engines or with any other type of engines and the holder shall not be entitled to act as engineer of a ship fitted with a type of engine not stated in the certificate.

(3)

Certificates issued to masters, mates and engineers who have to work on board ships carrying dangerous goods shall require endorsement as to the additional qualifications that may be prescribed.

(4)

If it appears to the Central Government that certificates of competency for grades, other than those referred to in sub-section (1) may be granted, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the other grades in respect of which certificates of competency may be granted.

(5)

A certificate of competency for a foreign-going ship shall be deemed to be of a higher grade than the corresponding certificate of a home-trade ship, and shall entitle the lawful holder thereof to go to sea in the corresponding grade in such home-trade ship; but no certificate for a home-trade ship shall entitle the holder to go to sea as a master or mate of foreign-going ship.

(6)

A certificate of competency as extra master shall be deemed to be of a higher grade than any other certificate of competency as master or mate of a foreign-going ship or a home-trade ship or navigational watchkeeping officer.

(7)

A certificate of competency as extra first class engineer shall be deemed to be of a higher grade than any other certificate of competency as marine engineer officer, engineer or engine driver of a fishing vessel or engine driver of a sea-going ship.]