MERCHANT NAVY - all you wanted to know

DEAR FRIENDS THERE ARE A LOT OF SITES GIVING YOU ADVICE AND ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN MERCHANT NAVY .A LIST OF MARITIME INSTITUTES HAVE BEEN ADDED ON THIS BLOG TO HELP YOU FIND A INSTITUTE AROUND YOU.BUT HERE IS A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO JOIN THE MERCHANT NAVY NOW AS THE WORLD IS UNDERGOING A RECESSION ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND OPENINGS NOW BECAUSE A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE NOW SCRAPPED THEIR OLD SHIPS OR CANCELLED THEIR NEW BUILDINGS BECAUSE OF RECESSION;SPECIALLY NOW COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED PEOPLE AND ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET AN OPENING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE JUST CLEARED THEIR M.O.T EXAMS; MY SINCERE ADVISE TO THOSE CANDIDATES TRYING TO GET AN ENTRY WOULD BE TO JOIN SUCH INSTITUTES RUN BY SHIPPING COMPANIES WHICH OFFERS YOU A GUARANTEED PLACEMENT AFTER COMPLETING THE COURSE .A FEW INSTITUTES LIKE GREAT EASTERN RUN , ANGLO EASTERN OR SAMUNDRA RUN BY E.S.M AND TOLANI ARE A FEW WHO GIVE YOU GUARANTEED PLACEMENT.HOPE THE INFORMATION HELPS YOU WITH ALL RESPECT AND IN CASE OF FURTHER DOUBTS YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT MARINE SHELF AT EMAIL-I.D   upv26@yahoo.co.in

WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS FOR YOUR CAREERS AND WELCOME TO THE MERCHANT NAVY

WHAT IS MERCHANT NAVY?

A merchant navy or merchant marine is the fleet of merchant vessels that are registered in a country,  varies in capacity. Seafarers on merchant vessels, who hold various military-like ranks and responsibilities and are sometimes
 members of various maritime trade unions, are required by theInternational Convention on Standards of Training,

Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers to carry Merchant Mariner's Documents. King George Vbestowed the title of

the "Merchant Navy" on the British merchant shipping fleets following their service in the First World War, however a

number of other nations have since adopted the title.


The Merchant Navy is the collective name for the worlds commercial shipping industry. However, it is actually composed of



individual companies who are responsible for their own recruitment and training

Merchant Navy officers are employed on the many types of vessels that make up the worlds commercial shipping industry. These include: ferries; cruise ships; cargo container ships; oil, gas and chemical tankers, and other bulk cargo carriers; and a wide range of vessels designed for specialised supply, support and rescue roles.

Merchant Navy officers are primarily leaders and managers. However, as well as managing staff, senior officers are still expected to perform practical tasks with their colleagues.

Typical work activities

Your rank and the size of the vessel you are working on will affect your duties. On a smaller ship, activities will be more hands-on, whereas on a larger ship, the role tends to be more managerial.

A deck/navigation officer's typical work activities include:

·         navigating the vessel using a range of satellite and radar systems and equipment;

·         checking weather and navigation reports and taking appropriate action;

·         coordinating the safe loading, storage and unloading of cargo;

·         managing the care and safety of passengers (if working on a ferry/cruise ship);

·         supervising the operation and maintenance of deck machinery, e.g. winches and cranes;

·         managing ship communication systems;

·         monitoring and maintaining safety, firefighting and life-saving equipment;

·         overseeing the ship to ensure that the highest levels of health and safety are maintained;

·         maintaining legal and operational records, e.g. the ship's log;

·         keeping up to date with developments in maritime legal, commercial and political matters.

An engineering officer's typical work activities include:

·         directing others in the operation and maintenance of the mechanical and electrical equipment on board;

·         managing power, fuelling and distribution systems; 

·         repairing and upgrading systems and equipment, e.g. air compressors, pumps and sewage plants;

·         implementing regular equipment inspections and maintenance programmes;

·         keeping up to date with developments in the marine engineering field.

The activities of all officers include:

      undertaking essential administration, including budgets, accounts and records of stock, cargo and passengers;
managing the work of ratings and providing training and support for officer trainees.                                                      


Merchant navy officer:  Salary and conditions

Salary and conditions  

·         Starting salaries upon qualification for junior officers are: 3000$ to 4000$ per month

·         Training salaries for cadets are: 600-1000$ a month with  food and accommodation included. Shore-based accommodation costs are deducted.

·         Progression up to the rank of captain or chief engineer can lead to salaries ranging from 10000$-14000$ a month depending upon the type and size of ship. Salaries on foreign-going ships (i.e. at least 183 days per year out of the country) may be tax free.

·         Qualification as a Merchant Navy officer can lead to opportunities throughout the marine industry.

·         Work is based at sea, on board ships that operate year-round. Shifts are usually four hours 'on watch' and eight hours 'off'. Although extensive travel is part of the job, opportunities to go onshore can be limited due to ship-board responsibilities and rapid turnaround times in port.

·         Living conditions whilst on board are usually of a high standard, with good leisure and other facilities. Due to such close living and working conditions, being able to work well within a team is important.

·         Weather conditions may make working uncomfortable, for instance the heat of the Persian Gulf in summer or the North Atlantic in a winter gale.

·         An increasing number of female officers are working in the Merchant Navy at all levels.

·         The long periods of time spent away at sea can have a major impact on family life, hobbies and interests. However, most companies provide a generous holiday allowance on a one-for-one basis, for example two-months' paid leave after a two-month voyage. Tour lengths vary from company to company.

·         Merchant Navy officers are subject to the Merchant Shipping Act. The Act sets strict limits on blood-alcohol levels, and drugs are forbidden. Random testing for alcohol or drug abuse is common

Merchant navy officer:Entry requirements

·   The Merchant Navy recruits graduates as officer trainees (either deck/navigation officer or engineering officer), offering training and development leading to theDG (INDIA) (CoC) or a  Maritime and Coastguard Agency Certificate of Competency (CoC). All training includes a residential course at a nautical college or university, interspersed by periods spent at sea.

Graduate entry onto an engineering officer programme will provide exemptions from some aspects of the training scheme (which may accelerate the route to qualification as an engineering officer) with the following degrees:

·         marine engineering;

·         mechanical engineering;

·         electrical engineering.

Opportunities may be available on cruise ships and passenger ferries for graduates in catering, hospitality, business, performance or entertainment, and cruise companies should be contacted directly.

A number of shipping companies sponsor candidates on a three-year Merchant Navy Foundation Degree (MNFD) course, which also includes study for the Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency. The training is fully paid for by the sponsoring company and includes a training salary. CareersatSea.org

Merchant navy officer:Training

During the initial officer training programme, a Merchant Navy officer is required to gain a DG shippining INDIA or a  Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certificate of Competency (CoC) as an Officer of the Watch (OOW).

Additional skills and experience will be gained whilst on the job, under the supervision of more senior officers.

The Merchant Navy provides clear training routes to enable progression from the junior level OOW to more senior levels. The next MCA level of competency is recognised through the award of the chief mate or second engineer certificate. The highest level of competency is master’s or chief engineer’s certificate.

Progression to each rank within the Merchant Navy also allows individuals to gain nationally recognised academic or vocational qualifications in addition to the MCA certificates of competency.
Colleges, universities and specialist training organisations provide training courses for serving Merchant Navy officers in areas such as safety legislation. Sponsorship may be available through shipping companies or through maritime training organisations.

 

Merchant navy officer:Career development

Qualification as a Merchant Navy officer can lead to opportunities throughout the entire World  Merchant Navy fleet. The marine sector is growing and there are strong prospects for work. The majority of those undertaking officer training programmes are employed on completion of the course. There are also opportunities to work for shipping companies based overseas.

The Merchant Navy provides a range of career paths, with opportunities at sea and onshore. As a qualified deck or engineering officer, and with further training and experience, you can gain the qualifications required to sail as captain or as chief engineer officer. It generally takes an additional six years to achieve these qualifications.

Career development will often depend on the employing shipping company and the kinds of vessels it operates.

Membership of a relevant professional body, for example theInstitute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (ImarEST)  or The Nautical Institute , can aid career development. Engineering officers may choose to follow the route to chartership with ImarEST. Obtaining chartered status demonstrates that you have a good level of experience and professionalism, as well as a commitment to the profession.

Whilst some Merchant Navy officers remain at sea for their entire careers, others gain posts within the marine industry onshore. Many companies manage their own ships and control all aspects of ship operations. Opportunities therefore exist in management roles in a range of operations, e.g. fleet, logistics coordination and training, marine, engineering and general.

It is possible for those with experience to move into the wider marine industry, where there is a demand for their qualifications and expertise. Opportunities include:

·         surveying ships (to check seaworthiness);

·         managing ports/harbours;

·         working in maritime law or marine insurance;

·         working for maritime regulatory authorities;

·         lecturing or research in higher education institutions.

For further information on opportunities in the wider marine industry, see CareersatSea.org .

 Merchant navy officer:Employers and vacancy sources

At sea, Merchant Navy officers are employed in an engineering or navigation capacity on the whole range of sea-going vessels. These include the following major types:

·         oil, gas and chemical tankers, and other bulk cargo carriers;

·         cargo container ships;

·         ferries and cruise ships;

·         offshore support vessels, designed for specialised roles.

Ashore, they may work in a management, administrative or operational role across a wide range of business and commerce. Employers include:

·         shipping companies;

·         marine insurance companies;

·         maritime regulatory authorities;

·         maritime training and recruitment companies;

·         port operations, including pilotage.
 There are different courses comes under merchant navy and the educational qualification is also different.
Educational qualification: The minimum eligibility for courses in Nautical science and Marine engineering is 10+2 or an equivalent examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics. He should also pass a medical fitness test for sea service under standard norms and with eyesight 6/6 with no colour blindness.

Candidates wishing to enter the navigational and engineering fields of Merchant Navy need to complete a Bachelors degree in Nautical Science or Marine engineering, before they can gain admission to the field

Direct entry to Merchant Navy is also possible - students who have completed their 12th with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) are eligible to join as Deck Cadets and a student holding a bachelor's degree in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Technology Engineering could also join the Merchant navy as a Engine Cadet/ Fifth Engineer/ Junior Engineer. Direct entry Deck Cadets are required to undergo basic pre-sea training arranged by the recruiting company itself and the direct entry Engineering cadets are preferred to do a Pre-sea course of 9 months duration in Marine Engineering conducted by the MERI.

There are several government approved merchant navy institutes where you can apply for joining merchant navy after BE .....
some of them are :-

T.S chanakya ,navi mumbai

marine engineering and reserch institute,kolkata

marine engineering and reserch institute,mumbai

lal bahadur sastri college of advance maritime studies and research,mumbai


Eligibility - Pass in HSC (10+2)from a Recognized Board with 50% Average in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics


* B.Tech - Marine Engineering

Eligibility - Pass in HSC (10+2) from a Recognized Board with 60% Average in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics


* B.Sc - Nautical Science

Eligibility - Pass in HSC (10+2) from a Recognized Board with 60% Average in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.


* Diploma in Nautical Science Leads to obtain B.Sc (Nautical Science)

Eligibility - Pass in HSC (10+2) from a Recognized Board with 55% Average in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.


* Australian Deck Cadets Course Diploma of Applied Science (Deck Watch Keeper), Leading to the watch keeper (Deck) certificate of competency, By AMSA

Eligibility - The minimum educational qualification is "A" level and its equivalent (10+2 years of formal study) with in the the following streams, Minimum of 50% Aggregate in 10+2 and English Minimum 50% in 10+2 or IELTS 5.5, with Science (Phy, Chemistry and Maths) or Commerce (with Mathematics)


* Pre-Sea Training G.P. Ratings

Eligibility - Pass in 10th Std with Average 40% marks (with individual pass in Mathematics, Science subjects)or Pass in 2 years I.T.I course from Govt. approved institute with minimum 50% aggregate marks in final year. 40% marks in English subject is required either in 10th or 12th standard (or) any Degree/Diploma course by AICTE