DEATH ON BOARD BENEFIT SCHEME

• ₹2,00,000 ex-gratia assistance to the nominee registered for the vessel.
• Any type of death on board or presumed death on board, on/after 12.03.2025.
• Indian CDC holder and Bonafide employment through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
• Application to be submitted within 3 months of death/missing.

DETAILS OF THE WELFARE SCHEME FOR THE ‘DEATH ON BOARD BENEFIT SCHEME' FOR THE NOMINEE/S OF THE DECEASED INDIAN SEAFARER.

• Pursuant to the objects of the Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society (hereinafter referred to as the 'Society') as defined in Article 3(XV) of the Memorandum of Association of the Society, the nominee(s) of the Indian seafarer, as eligible under the provisions of Rule 4 below, may be granted financial assistance under the 'Death on Board Benefit Scheme' for death cases or presumed death cases on board, subject to the circumstances and extent detailed herein.
• The financial assistance under the 'Death on Board Benefit Scheme' for an Indian seafarer shall be granted at the absolute discretion of the Society. The Society reserves the right to dispense with, curtail, enhance, suspend, or completely withdraw such financial assistance at any time without prior notice.
• The availability of financial assistance under the 'Death on Board Benefit Scheme' to eligible nominee/ies of a deceased Indian seafarer (death cases or presumed death cases on board) does not confer or create any prescriptive rights whatsoever, and shall not be subject to challenge.

Eligibility

• The scheme is applicable for all Bonafide employed / engaged Indian seafarers holding Indian CDC and is engaged through Indian Shipping Company / Indian Ship-owner on Indian flag vessel or engaged by the Registered RPSL Company on / Indian flag vessel/ foreign flag vessel.
• The death of seafarer has occurred while on board and also presumed death cases are also considered under this scheme. This scheme will cover any sort of death occurred on Board
• The Bonafide of the seafarer who expired on board will be confirmed by the concerned Shipping Master, Government Shipping Office/Director Seamen’s Employment Office, DG Shipping (Crew Branch).
• The application form for this scheme is to be received by the SWFS within a period of 3 (three) months from the date of death of the seafarer / reported missing.

Quantum of Assistance

• TThe Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) will provide financial assistance in the form of 'Ex-gratia support' of ₹.2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lakhs only) to the nominee of the deceased seafarer, who expired on or after 12th March, 2025, as per the nomination form filed with the company/RPSL company for the concerned vessel on which the death occurred.

Important Conditions

• The Society may approach the Indian shipowners /registered RPS, company concerned and obtain such particulars as may be necessary for the purpose of payment of financial assistance envisaged under this scheme.
• Application for financial assistance under this scheme is to be made in the prescribed form, along with attested copy of CDC book.
• Notwithstanding anything contained herein above in all doubtful/disputed and/or exceptional cases, the Committee of Management of the SWFS may examine and decide the cases, on case-to-case basis, and its decision shall be final.