India Launches Safe Tracking System For Sailors in Gulf

The system is designed to enhance the security of Indian sailors operating in sensitive maritime zones, including the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Black Sea. Under this initiative, Recruitment and Placement Service Licence holders, Indian shipowners, and operators must record vessel identification, voyage details, and crew information, including regular daily position updates and sign-on/sign-off status, to assist authorities in emergencies such as missile attacks, piracy, or detentions. While the module currently operates in a beta version, compliance is mandatory and immediate. The collected data is classified, confidential, and accessible only to authorized personnel.

Emergency Coordination and Rules

To support emergency coordination, the DGS has emphasized that shipowners and RPSLs must maintain 24x7 emergency contacts for seafarers' families and perform voyage-specific risk assessments. The DGS also advised that vessel positions and route details should not be shared on social media to prevent hostile targeting. In the event of maritime security incidents, the DGComm Centre serves as the primary coordination point, reachable at +91 8657549760 on WhatsApp, +91 22 22613606, +91 8657549752 on landline, or via email at dgcommcentre-dgs@nic.in. Additionally, the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre provides support at +91 7428963733 on WhatsApp and +91 124-2208385. Inquiries regarding crew issues may be directed to crews-dgs@gov.in. Furthermore, the DGS maintains a prohibition on the deployment of Indian seafarers to Iran until further notice, with existing protocols in place for those already in the region.