The Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document (BSID) is a crucial identification tool for seafarers, enhancing security and facilitating smoother travel and work processes. Here’s an in-depth look at what BSID is and its benefits.
As the seafarers today bound to carry multiple documents for the voyage starting from their home till they come back. BSID is an attempt to standardize one document on a global scale.
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Table of Contents
History behind Seafarer’s Identity Document
The ILO rose to the challenge for enhanced security in the conduct of the seafarers’ profession as a result of the 11th September 2001 international terrorism tragedy that shook
the world. It decided to revise and update the existing international instrument, Convention
No. 108, which provided for a seafarers’ identity document.
Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention 2003
The convention was adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on June 19, 2003. This convention aimed to enhance the security of seafarers’ identification documents in response to global security concerns. Ratification and implementation of the new ILO Convention No. 185, the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, will:
- support Governments as they take measures to strengthen their borders against the threat
of international terrorism while protecting Members’ economic interests in having their
seafarers employed by shipowners - enhance confidence in the international maritime industry and facilitate commercial
shipping, and - promote safety, security, and basic rights of Seafarers in the conduct of their profession.
Key Points:
- Purpose: To improve the security of seafarers’ identity documents and facilitate their movement for shore leave, transit, transfer, or repatriation.
- Biometric Data: The convention introduced the use of biometric data to ensure reliable identification.
- Ratification: As of February 2023, the convention has been ratified by 38 countries.
- Implementation: It came into force on February 9, 2005.
This convention revised the earlier Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention of 1958, reflecting the need for more secure and standardized identification methods.
Seafarers identity documents created and issued by one Member State will be verified at any border that the seafarer crosses in the conduct of his or her profession. Seafarers routinely cross borders during transit and transfer when joining and leaving their vessel. They must also be able to exercise their basic right to shore leave.
List of countries who have ratified Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention
Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (C185) has been ratified by 39 countries. Here are some of the countries that have ratified the convention:
- France
- India
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Tunisia
- United Republic of Tanzania
Entire list of countries who have ratified the convention.
What is Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document(BSID)?
The BSID is a biometric identification card issued to seafarers, containing their biometric data such as fingerprints and a digital photograph. This system was introduced to improve the security and efficiency of maritime operations.
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When did India adopted Seafarer’s Identity Document Convention?
India ratified the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (C185) on October 9, 2015. The issuance of the new Biometric Seafarers Identity Document (SID) for Indian seafarers began in 2018.
India has become the first country in the world to issue Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID), capturing the facial bio-metric data of seafarers. The new facial biometric technology is a marked improvement over the two finger or iris based bio-metric data, with modern security features. It will make the identification of the SID holder more reliable and efficient, while protecting their dignity and privacy. India had made a presentation on this technology at ILO.
The BSID introduces modern security features such as:
- It will have a biometric chip embedded in it. The security of the BSID card is ensured at various levels and through different methods.
- At the time of data capturing the live face is cross matched through passport photo using a face matching software.
- The card has two optical security features- Micro prints/micro texts and Unique Guilloche pattern.
- A software has been developed for capturing the facial biometrics and its authentication through the public key infrastructure.
- A record of each SID issued will be maintained in a national database and its related information will be internationally accessible.
Nine data collection centers have been setup at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Noida, Goa, New Mangalore, Kochi, Vizag & Kandla for issue of BSID. Every Indian seafarer who possesses a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate issued by the Govt. of India will be eligible for issue of a BSID.
Benefits of Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document
The Seafarers’ Identity Documents (SID) Convention, 2003 (C185) provides several benefits to seafarers:
- Enhanced Security: The use of biometric data in SIDs ensures more secure and reliable identification, reducing the risk of identity fraud.
- Visa-Free Travel: SIDs facilitate visa-free travel for seafarers in many countries, simplifying their transit and movement.
- Shore Leave Access: Seafarers can more easily access shore leave, allowing them to rest and recuperate while in foreign ports.
- Job Opportunities: By standardizing and securing identification, SIDs help protect seafarers’ job opportunities abroad, reducing the threat of unauthorized personnel taking their position.
- Global Recognition: The standardized format of SIDs is recognized internationally, ensuring consistent treatment of seafarers across different countries
How to apply for Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document?
Before applying for BSID following general instructions to be followed:
- Your internet browser must support 128 bit encryption and must have java script enabled.
- The minimum versions of mozilla firefox that this site supports are version 40.0.x or higher. Download link for Windows, Mac, Android & iOS.
- It is mentioned that the details in your CDC and INDOS database would be captured in your Seafarers Identity Document. Hence update your INDOS and CDC before applying for the SID. For changes in INDOS database such as name, date of birth, place of birth, state of birth, country of birth, nationality, height, hair color, eye color, identification mark, complexion please send an e-mail to INDOS cell at “Ibsindos@vsnl.net” with a scanned copy of INDOS certificate, Passport and CDC. Confirm the updates on CDC checker.
The documents that are required(keep multiple photocopies handy):
- Passport
- CDC
- INDOS
Steps for Online application for BSID:
| Login to the SID portal with your INDOS number and the password. |
| Click on the Link “Apply for SID” |
| Check the personal details in the form and click to continue. |
| Fill the address details and click continue |
| Fill other details and click continue |
| Make payment through e-payment portal |
| Submit the application |
| Click on “Schedule Appointment” on the screen to schedule an appointment. |
| Select the collection centre along with the date and time from the slots available. |
Conclusion
Though 39 out of 176 have ratified this convention till date but in coming years the number will definitely increase as Seafarer’s Identity Document will replace multiple document and their handling as the shore pass, ISPS card even joining VISAs.
Its obvious that every seafarer on this globe has a folder full of document but we must be optimistic that these small but significant steps will take us from bulky folders to just a card.
