Merchant Navy is the term used to describe commercial ships such as tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers, ferries, and many other public transport ships. Shipping is one of the major driving powers of our economy and having a career in this industry can be very rewarding. The merchant navy plays an important role in almost everything we do. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear or even the materials required to build our houses and buildings, all of this is only possible through the shipping of goods from various lands. Continue reading this article to get a deeper insight into merchant navy courses in India and get career guidance in this field.
Merchant Navy is a career that puts you in a profession that serves as the backbone of any nation’s global trade. It is regarded as the major participant in trade owned by both government and private firms. The merchant navy is an excellent career option for students interested in a commercial sea career and travel. Now let us look at the important things you need to know to understand how to start your career as a merchant navy officer.
- Qualification
The basic qualification or eligibility required in India would be to get your 12th degree at a CBSE, ICSE, or PU board. After you have your 12th degree in PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Biology), you can apply for a UG degree in B.E. in Marine Engineering. This is your first step toward a career in the merchant navy. Candidates who have completed their 12th grade can sit for the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) or the All India Merchant Navy Entrance Exam. The exam is usually held in May. Other exams for Marine Engineering include JEE, MERI Entrance Exam, and TIMS.
- Pick Your Interest
There is a range of jobs from technical to non-technical jobs in the marine industry. You must first analyze yourself so that you can pick the job best suited for you. Once you have chosen whether you would want to get into a technical or non-technical field, you can then join the necessary courses for that field.
- Courses to Pursue
Once candidates have completed their 12th, they can pursue courses such as:
– Sc. Nautical Science
– E. Marine Engineering
– E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
– E. Petroleum Engineering
– E. Mechanical Engineering
– E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
– E. Civil Engineering
– Sc. Marine Catering
- Prominent Job Roles
Master or Captain: The captain is fully responsible for the ship’s overall operation and safety, as well as the crew, passengers, and cargo. He is in charge of handling legal and commercial matters, as well as keeping all of the ship’s records up to date.
Chief Officer: The Chief Officer assists the Master and is in charge of deck operations, maintenance, cargo handling, and storage. He is also in charge of managing work schedules and managing other officers.
Second Officer: The Second Officer is in charge of navigation using radar, satellite, and computer systems. He keeps track of the ship’s position, speed, direction, and weather reports, as well as performs watch duties at sea.
Third Officer: Typically, after training, this is the first position a candidate is assigned to, dealing with the ship’s safety equipment and lifeboats. The third officer assists the second officer and keeps watch.
- Technical Roles
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): An electro-technical officer is in charge of all the electrical systems within the vessel. He reports to the chief engineer, who is in charge of everything on a ship. There are many responsibilities that the ETO must undertake such as:
– Electrical equipment maintenance and operation on the ship
– Ensuring the proper operation of basic electric devices such as refrigeration, bridge systems, and control rooms
– Emergency system maintenance, including emergency switches, fire alarms, and detectors
– Electrical components of a vessel, such as navigation lights, battery backups, and electrically powered propelling machinery
- Top Companies for Recruitment
Once the candidate is done with his course, he or she can start applying to these top merchant navy companies. These are some of the top companies in India that are leading pioneers in the business.
- The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd
- Essar Shipping Ltd
- The Great Eastern Shipping Companies
- Bharati Shipyard
- ABG Shipyard
- Mercator Ltd
- Gujarat Pipavav
The merchant navy job can be quite a daunting task at times given its need to be at sea for long durations of time. But the post and early retirement benefits are large and some shipping companies even allow certain officers to bring their families on board with them. So, go forth and start your career in the Merchant Navy and reap the benefits of this booming business. Ensure that you are prepared for the demands of this job and the time at sea.
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