8 Things to Keep in Mind Before Joining Merchant Navy
1. Right Qualification
As with most professions, the right qualifications are necessary for this job too. Owing to the specialized nature of the work on board ship, it is mandatory to have the right skillset for this line of work as well. Respective streams for respective work on board require a very focused skill set to be applied practically. Therefore, the right institute is also to be taken into consideration as there are many to choose from. Different countries have their own merchant navy rules and academies so it becomes necessary to enroll in the appropriate Institute as required by the nation’s merchant marine laws to get the required qualifications.
2. Choose the Right Job
As mentioned above, the right stream must be chosen by an individual commensurate with his interest in that specific area of study followed by work. Merchant marine offers a lot of job options – from technical to non-technical professionals. Radio officers, captains, able-bodied seamen, chefs, first mate and second mate are the kind of jobs that are available to the interested people. You are the best judge of your capabilities, so choose your stream accordingly. Some positions come with high responsibilities and you should be ready to deliver your best.
3. Health and Fitness
The sea tests human endurance, both physically and mentally. It is important to be fit physically as well as to have the right mental constitution to be prepared for any situation onboard. You wouldn’t be selected if you are not fit. Since the merchant navy men have to be on the water for a major portion of the year, their health and fitness become a major concern. Fitness is an aspect that not only pertains to an individual but also the others on board ship; seeing as all work on board is team work and one job affects another. Therefore, lax performance in one area can put the other areas to risk. Safety being of paramount importance, it is not prudent to have unfit people on board.
Read: Physical Fitness and Medical Requirements To Join Merchant Navy
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Do note that health and physical fitness tests are carried out at regular intervals of time. They are conducted every time before boarding the ship and if any complication arises, the candidate will not be allowed to join the ship. Passing the test during the time for admission in the course does not ensure you are fit for sea life. There are some tests which are carried in between the course (hearing compatibility test etc.) which if failed will lead to termination of the course.
4. Almost Negligible Social Life
The fourth aspect involved is about the amount of time spent offshore. If you are a social animal who likes to mingle with friends on every opportunity you can find, then better stay away from Merchant navy. The life at sea is a lonely one and takes a toll on your social life; some prefer it and some don’t- whoever tells you otherwise is lying outright. With the extent of work and lack of free time to pursue social interests, ship life can get quite hard for a person.
Credits: lunamarina/wikipedia.org
Modern ships have internet and satellite phones which virtually reduce the distance from friends and family; however, it is no replacement for the usual social life on shore and more than that, the work leaves little to no room to engage in long conversations over the phone! It is also prudent to remember that this aspect is more than negated by the all the new places that one gets to discover (subject to time available). If the person is adventurous, then the time period could go to the person’s advantage but if the person has a shy personality and needs emotional anchorage from friends and family then marine careers could be disadvantageous as it could lead to homesickness and unnecessary problems due to the person’s inability to adjust to the job.
5. Personality and Attitude
Seeing the same lot of people over months can automatically harbor resentment within an individual; if not resentment, then plain boredom! Men of strong mental constitution tend to keep it together throughout their contract by having a positive personality with the right attitude towards the work at hand as well the people he’s working with. Being a part of the merchant navy will allow a person to not only meet new people but learn lots of new things about different cultures of the world.
Representation Image – Photograph by Jose Jacob
If you feel you are not the kind of person, who can compartmentalize his or her mind, then better give this career a miss. This is why it becomes important before joining merchant navy to know what type of a person one is and whether merchant navy will suit the person or not. Have some time to yourself and then decide.
6. Job surety and high income
Opportunities on shore have increased many times over for merchant navy professionals who are willing to put in the time. While the power/command and the pay on board cannot be met fully on shore while starting out, putting in the years on shore or starting the right business can garner equal or sometimes, even more income than at sea. As far as seafaring jobs go, with the cyclical nature of the shipping industry, we are in the bust cycle at the moment which has caused a slowdown in jobs and recruitment; there is job crunch in the seafaring industry especially at the entry level (junior officers).
Candidates who cleared the required courses are finding it difficult to get a ship for completing their sea-time and training so that they can appear for competency exam to become officers. A qualified seafarer past his training phase on board gets paid rather well but the initial stages are hard (for deck/engine cadets and trainee ratings). The entry level candidates earn as much as any land job person, and hence it is only when you pass the exam and have a COC, then you get a good salary flowing into your account.
7. Tax-Free Income
Most of the amateur seafarers remain confused about the taxation system for the income earned, which leads to non-filing of tax returns. The income earned on a foreign going vessel, seafarer may not always be tax-free (a general assumption). You need to complete the required sea time in a financial year to claim a tax-free income else you will be considered under the tax slab for paying the income tax as stated by the government of the country. For example, for Indian citizens, the tax earned on income earned from a foreign country is not taxable is the individual remains outside of the country for more than 183 days.
8. Family onboard
It is natural to want to have family on board. A merchant navy officer can take his/her family on board ship only if allowed by the company or when all the norms of the company are complied with. Here “family” for a married person means only the wife and kids and not parents. Parents are not allowed to go along with the seafarers. An entry level officer will have a lesser chance to carry his immediate family than a management level officer, which again depends on the number of supernumeraries (family members) already present on a ship and the life boat capacity. Sometimes, the trading route also determines if family carriage will be allowed. For example, in HRA areas such as when passing the Gulf Of Aden, the family carriage is not advisable.
Monument “Sailor’s wife” and cruiser in Novorossiysk, Russia — Photo by ryzhov
Apart from all these points, it is also necessary that an applicant who wants to join marine careers does not have any past criminal record. If a person does have any such record, then he or she will not be eligible to join merchant marine.
Merchant navy is a lucrative career option and for the person who follows all the necessary steps needed to be primarily taken, it is one of the best career options of today’s times. However, as with every field, there are few drawbacks attached with this as well. So choose the career of merchant navy wisely in case you are planning to.
Career in Merchant Navy
The opportunity to travel around the world and the lure of adventure on the high seas, besides the possibility of high remunerations attracts many youngsters to make a career in the Merchant Navy. Merchant Navy is different from the navy in the sense that it offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy, which is largely involved in the defence of a nation.
Merchant Navy is the backbone of international trade, carrying cargo all over the world. The merchant ships employ a huge number of workers to carry and deliver goods from one country to another. Without the merchant navy, much of the import-export business would come to a grinding halt!
A career in the merchant navy is considered a glamorous job, especially by the people who have been bitten by the travel bug. It offers an opportunity to visit new and exotic places all around the globe. Merchant Navy career is not only monetarily rewarding but also satisfying and a quite challenging.
Eligibility Criteria
- The eligibility for joining merchant navy is finishing class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Candidates have to be unmarried Indian citizens (male or female).
- Normal vision is required but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 may be allowed.
- Admission is through an entrance followed by a screening test and a main written examination.
- After clearing the test, there is an interview and a medical test.
- You also need to complete a ship-training course prior to the employment. The course is generally short-term where the candidates are taught basic security concerns of voyaging.
There are some private institutes, which offer training for merchant navy as well. These institutes prepare students for jobs such as deck cadets and marine engineering jobs.
How to Join Merchant Navy After 12th
After class 12, you are eligible to study the following merchant navy courses:
- B.Sc. Nautical Science
- B.E. Marine Engineering
- B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
- B.E. Petroleum Engineering
- B.E. Mechanical Engineering
- B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
- B.E. Civil Engineering
- B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- B.Sc. Marine Catering
- Electro Technical Officer Course
How to Join Merchant Navy After 10th
Merchant navy courses that you can pursue after 10th include:
- Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
- Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
- Commercial Diving
- G.P. Rating
Merchant Navy - Job Prospects
There are enormous employment opportunities in this field. Candidates who have finished the basic course in merchant navy can get jobs very easily through various consultants and placement agencies. Merchant navy fleet consist of cargo ships, container ships, barge carrying ships, tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerators ships, passenger ships, as well as roll off/roll on ships. The possibility of finding employment in cargo ships is more as compared to the others.
Companies that run merchant ships require trained people who can operate and maintain the ships. Some of these companies are: Chevron and Mobil of USA, Wallem Ship Management of Hong Kong, Denholm of UK, K Line, Bibby Ship Management, d'Amico etc. India too has its shipping companies, such as the Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping, Essar and Chowgule Shipping. Trained people are required for the three main departments of the ship: the deck, the engine and the service department.
In India, job opportunities are also available in government and private shipping companies like Shipping Corporation of India, clearing houses, del credere agents etc.
Merchant navy job profiles
- Deck officer (navigation officer)
- Electro-technical officer (ETO)
- Engineer
- Ratings - ratings are skilled seafarers who help all the officers with daily tasks
- Catering & hospitality crew (pursers, stewards, chef, housekeeper etc.)
Merchant Navy - Pay Package
In Merchant Navy, the salary can range from anywhere between Rs.12000 to Rs.8 lakhs per month though the pay structure differ from company to company, city to city, the export-import needs, seniority etc. All crew members and officers are given free meals on board and senior officers can take along their wives for the voyage.
A Junior Engineer on a ship can earn around Rs. 30,000 per month with free boarding and lodging while signed on board the vessel. The next level is of Second Engineer and finally, Chief Engineer on a ship. As you keep getting promoted, your salary increases substantially. A Chief Engineer at sea earns Rs. 1.5 lakhs per monthor more net of taxes. It takes about 6-7 years for a Junior Engineer Officer to get promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer, depending on individual capabilities and job opportunities available.
A Third Officer's salary is around Rs. 50,000 per month plus free boarding and lodging while on board.Next levels in increasing order of seniority are Second Officer, a Chief Officer and Captain of a ship. A Captain's pay package is Rs. 2 lakhs per month or more net of taxes. It takes about 8 years for a Third Officer to get promoted to the rank of Captain, depending on individual capabilities and the job opportunities available.
Besides this, imported liquor, cigarettes, canned foods, cosmetics are available on board duty free. They are also entitled to four month leave every year. The interesting fact is that there is no income tax return imposed on the earnings of a merchant navy professional.
Life in merchant navy can be adventurous for all those with wanderlust. The long periods of solitude notwithstanding, the opportunity to see the world and get paid while doing so, just cannot be argued with.
Merchant Navy Institutes
Indian institutes approved by the Directorate General of Shipping is an attached office of the Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India and offering courses in merchant navy are:
1 C.V. Raman College of Engineering Bhubaneswar
2 AMET University Chennai
3 Balaji Seamen Training Institute Chennai
4
Chennai School of Ship Management
Chennai
5
Chidambaram Institute of Maritime Technology
Chennai
6
CMC Maritime Academy
Chennai
7
Cosmopolitan Technology of Maritime
Chennai
8
Hindustan Institute Of Maritime Training Post Sea Training Centre
Kilpauk, Chennai
9
HIMT College Hindustan Institute Of Maritime Training Pre-Sea Training Centre
Kalpakkam (Chennai)
10
School of Seamanship and Nautical Technology
Kancheepuram
(Tamil Nadu)
11
GKM College of Engineering & Technology
Chennai
12
GKM Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology
Chennai
13
Indian Maritime College
Chennai
14
Indus Seafarers Training Academy
Chennai
15
International Maritime Academy
Chennai
16
Maritime Foundation
Chennai
17
MASSA Maritime Academy
Chennai
18
Indian Maritime University (National Maritime Academy)
Chennai
19
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Maritime Science & Engineering
Chidambaram
20
S.B.Vignesh Marine Training Centre
Chennai
21
Southern Academy of Maritime Studies
Chennai
22
School of Maritime Studies (Vels University)
Chennai
23
School of Maritime Studies (Vels University)
Chennai
24
Coimbatore Marine College
Coimbatore
25
Park Maritime Academy
Coimbatore
26
SeaSkills Maritime Academy
Coimbatore
27
Marine Training Academy
Daman
28
Centre for Maritime Education and Training
Dehradun
29
Mumbai Maritime Training Institute
Dehradun
30
Oceanic Maritime Academy
Dehradun
31
Agnel Maritime Academy
Goa
32
Francon's Marine Academy
Goa
33
Institute of Maritime Studies
Goa
34
Institute of Petroleum Safety, Health & Environment Management
Goa
35
NUSI Maritime Academy
Goa
36
Seascan Marine Services Pvt Ltd
Goa
37
Natcom Education & Research Foundation
Gurgaon
38
Haldia Institute of Maritime Studies & Research
Haldia
39
Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy
Karjat
40
Indian Maritime University (Kandla Campus)
New Kandla
41
Amer Maritime Training Academy
Kanpur
42
Noorul Islam University
Kanyakumari (Tamilnadu)
43
U. V. Patel College of Engineering
Kharva (North Gujarat)
44
MMTI's Education & Research Trust
Khopoli
45
Mohammed Sathak Engineering College
Kilakarai(Tamilnadu)
46
Cochin Shipyard Limited
Kochi
47
Euro Tech Maritime Academy
Kochi
48
Institute of Marine Engineers (India)
Kochi
49
Indian Maritime University (National Maritime Academy)
Kochi
50
Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering of Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Kochi
51
Univan Maritime Training Academy
Kochi
52
College of Maritime Studies & Research
Kolkata
53
Garden Reach Ship Builders & Engineers Ltd
Kolkata
54
Indian Maritime University, Kolkata Campus [Indian Institute of Port Management]
Kolkata
55
Kolkata Port Trust
Kolkata
56
Marine Education Charitable Trust
Kolkata
57
Indian Maritime University (MERI)
Kolkata
58
Maritime Academy of India
Kolkata
59
Mercantile Marine Academy Foundation
Kolkata
60
S.E.I. Education Trust
Kolkata
61
Seacom Marine College
Kolkata
62
Sensea Maritime Academy
Kolkata
63
Centre for Maritime Education & Training
Lucknow
64
Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathy College of Science
Madurai
65
RL Institute of Nautical Science
Madurai
66
Mangalore Marine College and Technology
Mangalore
67
J. Sons Merchant Navy Institute
Meerut
68
Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre
Mumbai
69
Arya Marine Academy
Mumbai
70
Bonzer Academy of Maritime Studies
Mumbai
71
Don Bosco Normar Maritime Academy
Mumbai
72
Gurship Education Trust Maritime Training Institute
Mumbai
73
Indian Register of Shipping
Mumbai
74
Institute of Marine Engineers (India)
Navi Mumbai
75
International Marine Academy
Mumbai
76
International Maritime Training Centre
Mumbai
77
Indian Maritime University (LBS College of AMS)
Mumbai
78
Mangalore Marine College (MMC) [Mumbai Campus]
Mumbai
79
Indian Maritime University (MERI)
Mumbai
80
Marine Medical Clinic
Mumbai
81
Marine Training Academy
Mumbai
82
Maritime Training Institute
Mumbai
83
Mumbai Maritime Training Institute
Mumbai
84
Mazagon Dock Limited.
Mumbai
85
Naval Maritime Academy West
Mumbai
86
OERC Academy
Mumbai
87
Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies
Mumbai
88
Seafarers Marine Institute
Mumbai
89
School of Synergic Studies
Mumbai
90
SCMS Maritime Training Institute
Mumbai
91
St. Xavier's Technical Institute
Mumbai
92
Suraksha Marine
Mumbai
93
Tolani Maritime Institute
Mumbai
94
TS Rahaman
Mumbai
95
Univan Maritime Training Academy
Mumbai
96
ABS Industrial Verification (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Navi Mumbai
97
Fleet Management Training Institute
Navi Mumbai
98
BP Marine Academy
Navi Mumbai
99
MASSA Maritime Academy
Navi Mumbai
100
Pentagon Maritime Training & Research Institute
Navi Mumbai
101
Ramana Academy of Maritime Studies
Navi Mumbai
102
Sagar Gyan Academy
Navi Mumbai
103
Setrac College of Offshore Training
Navi Mumbai
104
SNS Maritime Training Institute
Navi Mumbai
105
Indian Maritime University (TS Chanakya)
Navi Mumbai
106
United Marine Academy
Navi Mumbai
107
Yak Management & Marine Education Centre
Navi Mumbai
108
Yak Educational Trust
Navi Mumbai
109
Applied Research International
New Delhi
110
Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre
New Delhi
111
Aquatech Institute of Maritime Studies
New Delhi
112
Fosma Maritime Institute and Research Organization
New Delhi
113
Oceans XV Educational Trust
New Delhi
114
Sriram Institute of Marine Studies
New Delhi
115
International Maritime Institute Ltd
Noida
116
Orissa Maritime Academy
Paradip
117
National Inland Navigation Institute
Patna
118
Institute of Marine Education & Research Pvt Ltd
Patna
119
Neotia Institute of Technology, Management and Science
24-Pargans(S) (W.Bengal)
120
Maritime Education Training & Research Institute
24-Pargans(S)(W.Bengal)
121
Trident College of Marine Technology
24-Pargans(S)(W.Bengal)
122
School of Higher Academic and Professional Education
Panchkula (Harayana)
123
Indian Maritime University [Karaikal Campus]
Pundechery
124
Pondicherry Maritime Academy
Puducherry
125
Sri Chakra Maritime College
Puducherry
126
Marine Officers Training Academy
Pondicherry
127
RVS College of Maritime Science and Engineering
Pondicherry
128
Sai Ram Shipping Science Institute
Pondicherry
129
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Govt. Polytechnique
Port Blair
130
Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies
Pune
131
Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education & Training
Pune
132
Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies
Pune
133
Tolani Maritime Institute
Pune
134
Vishwakarma Maritime Institute
Pune
135
Commander Ali's Academy of Merchant Navy
Secunderabad
136
Srivenkateshwara College of Engineering
Sriperumbadur (Tamilnadu)
137
Columbus Maritime Training Institute
Thane (Maharashtra)
138
Baba Marine Institute
Thane (Maharashtra)
139
Mariner's Academy
Thane (Maharashtra)
140
Tamilnadu Maritime Academy
Thoothukudi
141
PSN College of Engineering & Technology
Tirunelveli (T.Nadu)
142
Maritime Training Institute [SCI] Tuticorin Campus
Tuticorin
143
Asha International Institute of Marine Technology
Varanasi
144
Sri Nandhanam Maritime Academy
Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
145
Praveenya Institute of Marine Engineering & Maritime Studies
Visakhapatnam (AP)
146
National Ship Design & Research Centre
Vizianagaram (AP)
International Institute offering course in merchant navy is
Glasgow College of Nautical Studies
- Association of Marine Electronics and Radio College (AMERC)
Glasgow,
United Kingdom
