HOW TO JOIN MERCHANT NAVY??

Courses : Career in Merchant Navy can be pursued either as an officer or a rating in mainly two specialized fields, i.e. Marine Engineering and Nautical (deck). To become a seafarer, following streams of entries (Pre-Sea courses) are available to Indian citizens in the Government as well as in private training institutions (recognized and approved by Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping):-

Officers
3 year degree course in Nautical Science for (10+2) students.
4 year degree course in Marine Engineering for (10+2) students.
2 year course for Diploma Holders.
1 year course for Graduate Mechanical Engineers.
3 month course for Deck Cadets for (10+2) students.

Rating (Entry standard Xth)
4 month Pre-Sea Course for General Purpose (GP) rating.
3 month Pre-Sea Course for Deck rating.
3 month Pre-Sea Course for Engine rating.
4 month Pre-Sea Course for Saloon rating.
In addition, a candidate can join as utility hand or Petty Officers (Fitters) after completing 4 Basic Courses, i.e. FPFF, EFA, PSSR and PST.


Govt training Institutes : There are four Government Training Institutes providing Pre-Sea and Post-Sea training of international standard :
Training Ship Chanakya, Navi Mumbai.
Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI), Kolkata.
Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI), Mumbai.
Lal Bahadur Shastri College of advanced Maritime Studies and Research, Mumbai.

Benefits of Merchant Navy Courses IN INDIA:

A Merchant Navy job is an ideal one for those with an adventurous bent of mind and a traveler's spirit. The enviable pay package offered by this job is enough to overcome the drudgery of spending never ending days on sea. After completing Merchant Navy Courses in India, you can draw a salary ranging between Rs.12,000 to Rs.8 lakhs a month. Even a student who has completed 10+2 level with PCM can join maritime industry as Deck cadet after pre-sea training by the recruiter. One with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Electrical engineering can join the Merchant Navy directly after getting trained through a 9 months-Pre-sea course in Marine Engineering offered by Marin Engineering and Research Institute

Scope for a Career in Merchant Navy in India:

Following completion of Merchant Navy Courses in India, you can find employment in Deck Department as navigational officers such as the Captain, the First Mate, Second Mate and Third Mates. In the Engine Room, a student can get a job as a marine engineer. While the ship engineer or chief engineer heads this department, ensuring smooth running of all the equipment in the engine room, the second engineer looks after the day to day functioning of the engine room. You will be entrusted with the job of serving the crew and the passengers on board if employed in the Service Department, which consist of stewards, bakers, messmen, etc.

Scope for a Career in Merchant Navy Abroad:

The Merchant Navy forms the backbone of international trade. Thus, Merchant navy officers can be employed by foreign shipping companies in the posts mentioned above.

Qualifications for Merchant Navy Courses in India:

Admission to Merchant Navy Courses in India is conducted through IIT- JEE. The two areas where training is given to students enrolling in these courses are Marine Engineering and Navigation Science. One common eligibility criteria for merchant navy officers in both the fields is medical fitness.
The courses and their details are as follows -
B.E Marine Engineering, Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English

B.S.C Nautical Science, Duration: 3 years, Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English

M.E Marine Engineering, Duration: 2 years, Eligibility: B.E Marine Engineering.
After completing a course in Marine Engineering or Nautical Science, a fresher can be recruited as a junior engineer or Deck Cadet respectively.

Institutes offering Merchant Navy Courses in India & giving training in Nautical Sciences and Marine Enginnering:
The Training Ship Chanakya (T S Chanakya), Karaus, Navi Mumbai.
Marine Engineering Research Institute, P-19, Taratolla Rd, Kolkata-700088
Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Hay Bunder Road, Mumbai - 400 033
Directorate General of Shipping, Jahaj Bhavan, Ballard Estate, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Mumbai 400001

A Merchant Navy officer is further promoted when he receives a certificate of Competency. This certificate is given only when he passes an exam organized by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in Mumbai.

Merchant Navy : Introduction

Merchant Navy (or Merchant Marine) refers to the merchant fleet of a country, which 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 the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers to carry Merchant Mariner's Documents. The following is a partial list of the merchant navies or merchant marines of various countries.

The Merchant Navy is a non-combatant commercial fleet, which deals with transporting cargo and occasionally, passengers, by sea. Its fleet is therefore composed of passenger vessels, cargo liners, tankers, carriers, as well as other special types of vehicles. A career in this field is full of adventure and long voyages to exotic places. Above all this, the excellent pay and promising promotional opportunities make the career lucrative and exciting in spite of all the hard work life and long absence from family and home.
The main positions open in the merchant navy are for navigating officers, radio officers and marine engineers. They are usually employed by shipping companies on a contractual basis, which is generally of six to nine months' duration. Earlier a career in this field was considered purely for men. Women were not generally known to take up jobs in Merchant navy but the past few years have seen a positive change with many women taking up jobs as ship doctors and radio officers.

In Merchant Navy, major tasks performed are in three basic areas of a ship. The Deck, the Engine and the Saloon Department. There are thus, many career options that are available for any youngster who has dreams to join the merchant navy. The deck officers include the captain, chief officer, second officer, third officer and other junior officers. The engine department consists of the chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer, fourth engineer, electrical officer and junior engineers. The service department manages the kitchen, laundry and other services.Jobs are available with shipping companies in India and other countries