The SID card has long been used to authenticate the identity of crew members and demonstrate that they are legitimate seafarers. It facilitates border crossing for shore leave, transit, transfer, and repatriation for genuine seafarers. Among other things, it allows Indian Seafarer's Visa free travel (With OKTB) to countries like UK, Brazil etc.

It also helps with the following:
• CDCs renewal, duplication, or replacement
• Issuance or revalidation of all CoCs and CoPs
• Admission to Competency, Simulator and Modular Courses except Basic Safety Training (BST), Security Training for Seafarer with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) which are required for issuance of CDC BSID.
• Acquiring your training certifications "