Centre tightens safety regime for mechanised sailing vessels; fixes mandatory crew rest, tracking norms

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) Mechanised sailing vessels, engaged in sea-going trade, will have to comply with tighter safety, tracking, crew-rest and pollution-control requirements under new rules brought into force by the Centre. The Merchant Shipping (Sailing Vessels) Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, require vessels to maintain prescribed lifesaving, firefighting, communication and navigational equipment and introduce specific norms aimed at safe manning. and preventing crew fatigue. The rules supersede the Merchant Shipping (Sailing Vessels) Rules, 1997. Under a significant crew-welfare provision, every crew member must be given at least 10 hours of rest in…