Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society

₹2,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 16.03.2016), ₹ 4,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 29.04.2024) and ₹6,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 27.01.2026).
Death within 24 months off article period w.e.f. 29.4.2024 and (death within 36 months off article period w.e.f 27.01.2026).
Paid to the nominee registered for the last voyage before death.
The deceased seafarer should be last engaged through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
Claim to be submitted within 3 years from the date of death.

Pursuant to the objects of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (herein after 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 being eligible in terms of provisions of rule 3 herein below, may be granted the financial assistance under the ‘Survivor’s Benefit Scheme’, on death of the Indian seafarer under the circumstances and to the extent detailed herein below.
Such financial assistance on death of an Indian seafarer shall be granted at the absolute discretion of the society and such financial assistance may be dispensed with and / or curtailed /enhanced, suspended or completely withdrawn at any time without any prior notice. The availability of such financial assistance under the ‘Survivor’s Benefit Scheme’ to eligible beneficiary(ies) of deceased Indian seafarer, during off articled period does not in any manner confer or create any prescriptive right whatsoever and shall not be called in question.

The scheme is applicable to the Indian seafarers, holding CDC book, who are last recruited / engaged by the Indian ship-owners or through registered RPS, for either Indian or foreign flag vessels, before their death.
The financial assistance under the ‘Survivor’s Benefit Scheme’ on death of an Indian seafarer shall be paid to the eligible beneficiary (ies), of the Indian seafarer who has expired on or after 21.08.2014, within off article period of 12 months (amended to 24 months w.e.f. 31/05/2022) & (amended to 36 months w.e.f. 27/01/2026) from the date of sign off from the last vessel/ship as recruited/engaged above. The eligible beneficiary (ies), will be as per the nomination(s) declared by the Indian seafarer with the last recruited Indian ship-owner or registered RPS company, as the case maybe during his/her employment, prior to his/her death., failing which as per legal heir certificate issued by the competent authority.

The quantum of financial assistance under this scheme shall be ₹.1, 00,000/- (₹One lakh only) to the eligible beneficiary (ies) of the Indian seafarer. (Refer note given below)

The Society may approach the Indian ship-owners /registered RPS, company concerned and obtain such particulars as may be necessary for the purpose of payment of financial assistance envisaged under this scheme.
To receive the benefit under this scheme only such applications will be entertained which are submitted to Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society within a period of two years upto 30/05/2022 and three years for death of seafarer which occurred on or after 31/05/2022 from the date of death of the Indian seafarer.
Application for financial assistance under this scheme is to be made in the prescribed form, along with attested copy of death certificate and original 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.

Note 1: The amount of financial assistance has been enhanced to ₹. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lacs only) w.e.f. 16/03/2016 for those death cases of seafarer who has expired on or after 16.03.2016 within off article period of 12 months from the date of sign off from the last vessel/ship as recruited/engaged by Indian Shipping company or through RPSL company.
Note 2: The amount of financial assistance has been enhanced to ₹. 4,00,000/- (Rupees Four Lacs only) w.e.f. 29/04/2024 for those death cases of seafarer who has expired on or after 29/04/2024, within off article period of 24 months from the date of sign off from the last vessel/ship as recruited/engaged by Indian Shipping company or through RPSL company.
Note 3: The amount of financial assistance has been enhanced to ₹. 6,00,000/- (Rupees Six Lacs only) w.e.f. 27/01/2026 for those death cases of seafarer who has expired on or after 27/01/2026, within off article period of 36 months from the date of sign off from the last vessel/ship as recruited/engaged by Indian Shipping company or through RPSL company.