Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy officers are classified into many kinds. Engineering officers and deck officers are the two main categories of Merchant Navy officers. Go through the details about these positions given below.

Trainee Cadet

• Trainee Cadets are responsible for the charge of disposing of the basic duties of a Deck Officer during the full onboarding of a ship.
• Candidates have to be 10+2 qualified with a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics, with not less than 65% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
• The Average Annual Salary Trainee Cadet salary in India is INR 10,20,000 Per Annum.

Deck Cadet

• The people responsible for navigating a ship and planning its journey are called deck officers, also known as navigation officers. The captain, who is the highest-ranking deck officer, is in charge of the ship.
• The candidates are required to be 10+2 qualified with a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. They need to score a minimum of 60% aggregate or equivalent CGPA in the last qualifying exam.
• The Average Annual Salary Deck Cadet salary in India is INR 14,00,000 Per Annum.

Chief Officer

• Chief Officers also known as Ship Security Officers are primarily in charge of the safety of the passengers along with the crew on board.
• Chief Officers are accountable for conducting watch duties related to vessel navigation.
• Candidates should have passed class 10+2 with at least 60 to 65% marks in the last qualifying examination containing physics, chemistry, and mathematics as the compulsory subjects.
• The Average Annual Salary of the Chief Officer is INR 72,00,000 Per Annum.

Captain

• A Captain is responsible for leading a merchant ship and overseeing its day-to-day operations.
• They also handle legal matters related to maritime issues.
• To meet the eligibility criteria for certain educational courses or job positions, you need to fulfill certain educational qualifications. For instance, if you want to pursue a course or apply for a job that requires a 10+2 qualification, you need to have passed your 10th and 12th class exams with a minimum of 50% marks in English and have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English as separate subjects.
• Similarly, if you want to apply for certain courses or jobs that require a diploma or degree in engineering, you need to have a 3-year diploma with a minimum of 60% marks or a 4-year degree, including lateral entry, with a minimum of 50% marks in B.E/B.Tech.
• The Average Annual Salary of a Captain is INR 2,40,00,000 Per Annum.

Engineer

• Engineers in the Merchant Navy are responsible for keeping the ship\’s engine, engine room, and related equipment in good working condition.
• To become an engineer in the Merchant Navy, you need to have completed high school with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English as separate subjects and scored at least 50% marks in English in either class 10th or 12th.
• Alternatively, you can also complete a 3-year diploma with at least 60% marks or a 4-year degree with at least 50% marks in Mechanical, Marine, or a related field.
• The  Average Annual Salary of an Engineer is INR 50,00,000 Per Annum.

Catering and Hospitality Crew

• The catering and hospitality crew are responsible for the catering and hospitality of the passengers and other crew members on board.
• The Catering Crew is in charge of storing, preparing, and cooking wholesome dishes for all the guests on board along with the rest of the crew members on board.
• Candidates should be qualified 10+2 with aggregate 40% marks in 12th from Government recognized board English as subjects.
• Candidates should have passed their 10th or 10+2 with a minimum of 40% in English.
• Candidates should have passed from vernacular medium with a minimum of 50% in English.
• Candidates should be in the age group of 17.5 years to 25 years before entry into the training.
• The Average Annual Salary of Catering and Hospitality Crew is INR 24,00,000 Per Annum.
  

  Why Choose Merchant Navy degree?

  In today\’s world, there is a growing demand for Merchant Navy officers. Countries are interfacing with overseas trade in the globalization period, which is largely carried out by shipping corporations. Pursuing a Merchant Navy degree would provide you with several job prospects both in India and overseas. Check the perks of choosing a merchant navy degree given below.

  Earn Handsome Salary

  The merchant navy is not a career for everyone and requires dedication. Therefore, professionals who studied the merchant navy course and became merchant navy officers earn a lucrative salary. An experienced merchant navy officer can earn up to 37 LPA and in addition also get various tax benefits.

  In-Demand Profession

  Becoming a merchant navy is a very unconventional choice and not everyone studies this course and rather goes after engineering and medicine. Therefore, this field has various career opportunities available that you can take benefit of by studying this course.

  Opportunity to Travel the World

  The job profile of the merchant navy includes traveling across the globe. So, if you are someone who wants to experience the world, visit various countries, and explore different cultures and cuisines then the merchant navy is the career for you.

  Get Job Security

  As a merchant navy officer, you will be in charge of exporting and importing goods from various countries\’ borders which ultimately contribute to global trade and country development. Since global trade is an ongoing activity, there is always a need for qualified experts in the merchant marine. Job stability is generally good in this industry, and prospects for advancement are available.

  Contributing to Global Trade

  By moving commodities and resources across the world\’s oceans, the merchant navy plays an important role in promoting global trade. By pursuing a profession in this sector, you become an important component of the global economy, helping to transport commodities and resources that support industries and communities.

  Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria

  Candidates with a strong passion for marine experiences and a desire to participate in several sea voyages should pursue this career. You mustn\’t get seasick because you will go on long sea voyages as a naval merchant officer. It is a fantastic job option in today\’s world. In addition, you must meet the Merchant Navy qualifying conditions and be physically fit. Check the Merchant Navy eligibility criteria given below.

  Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s Degree

  • Candidates must have completed class 12th with at least 60% marks with physics, chemistry, and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • To fulfill the Merchant Navy age limit for bachelor courses candidates must be between 17 to 25 years.

  Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Degree

  • For GME, a candidate must have a B E degree in Naval Architecture or Mechanical Engineering.
  • To pursue an MBA in the Merchant Navy, a candidate must have a bachelor\’s degree from a recognized university.
  • MBA and GME have maximum age limits of 25 and 28 years, respectively.

  Eligibility criteria of Merchant Navy for 6-Months Merchant Navy courses

  • The age should be between 17.5 to 25 years.
  • Candidates who have passed Class 10 with Science, English, and Maths as main subjects and at least 40 percent marks are considered eligible.

  Eligibility criteria of Merchant Navy for diploma courses

  • Candidates for one-year diploma courses must have completed their 12th-grade exams with PCM and English.
  • Candidates for two-year diploma courses must have a diploma in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Shipbuilding Engineering with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.
  • The age limit of a candidate should be between 25 and 28 years old.

  Medical fitness for Merchant Navy

  • Candidates must have normal vision (6/6) in both eyes and medically fit hearing capabilities.
  • Candidates should hold relevant physical fitness certificates.
  • Candidates applying for any of the Merchant Navy courses must meet the medical fitness requirements.
  • Candidates must be medically fit including hearing and eyesight.
  • They must have normal vision (6/6) in each eye separately.
  • It is required that the candidates produce a certificate for medical fitness by authorized authorities

  Are tattoos allowed in the Merchant Navy?

  Tattoos and piercings are not prohibited in the Merchant Navy field. Sailors are the forefathers of nautical tattoo culture. The maritime academies, on the other hand, have strict disciplinary requirements and demand officers to have certain attributes. Therefore, if a candidate has unusual piercings and tattoos it may be seen as objectionable.

  Required Skillset for Merchant Navy

  Apart from academic qualifications, a candidate who wants to become a successful Merchant Navy officer should have certain interpersonal skills that will make him or her efficient in their job. These skills are as follows:

  1. Physical Strength: A Merchant Navy officer\’s job involves traveling in the sea for a long period, and hence, they should be physically strong and fit so that they can sustain themselves in the sea and not get affected by seasickness.

  2. Mental Ability: A Merchant Navy officer may have to stay in the sea for a long time without ever seeing land, which can be challenging for those who are not mentally strong enough. Therefore, a Merchant Navy officer must have strong mental abilities.
  3. Leadership and Decision Making: A Merchant Navy officer must possess good leadership qualities. They may be in charge and crew members will look up to them for major and effective decisions. With leadership qualities, they will be able to manage their job responsibilities and crew members well.

  Career Options After Merchant Navy

  The merchant navy is a worldwide business that offers some of the most exciting career options on a variety of ships. In the merchant navy career, the major role is your physical strength. There are three departments in the merchant navy from which you can choose from –

  1. Deck Department
  2. Engine Department
  3. Crew Rating

  Career in the Merchant Navy Engine Department

  To work in the engine department, you will need to enroll in a marine engineering course, which can be a four-year degree program or a two-year diploma program. After completing the relevant courses and training, you can become a marine engineer if you are a mechanical engineer (Graduate Mechanical Engineering or GME course).

  After completing one year of mechanical engineering or an equivalent programme, you can enroll in a maritime engineering programme. (The availability of this service will be determined by your country of residence.)

  After finishing your marine engineering degree, you will join a ship as a Trainee/Fifth engineer and progress through the ranks.

  Career in Merchant Navy Deck Department

  After finishing the nautical science course, you will join a ship as a trainee/deck cadet and progress through the ranks.

  If you have an electrical or electronic background, you can also join a ship as an ETO (electro-technical officer). Pre-sea training will be needed of you, followed by mandatory aboard instruction.

  Career in the Merchant Navy Rating Department

  A ship requires supporting personnel in addition to deck officers and marine engineers to help the officers and perform several other critical responsibilities. Merchant Navy ratings come under such departments. The merchant navy Jobs for ratings under the engine, and deck department are as follows-

  Ratings under the engine department

  • Wiper
  • Fitter
  • Motorman
  • Ratings under the deck department
  • Ordinary Seaman (OS)
  • Able Seaman (AB)
  • Bosun
  • Fitter

  Apart from the above-given job options, you can also join the saloon department of the ship. The posts available under the saloon departments are the steward and chief cook.

  What to choose between the Deck and Engine Department?

  In the merchant navy field, there are two departments one can choose from. You can decide between them by your liking, the job profile you feel will suit you, and the skills you have.

  If you want to opt for the engineering department, be prepared to do a lot of work with your hands, regardless of your status. Because the number of marine engineers on board is limited, they must undertake many tasks on their own, often without support. The engine department\’s maritime specialists are in charge of maintaining and running machinery on ships, both in the engine room and on deck.

  Similarly, if you want to opt for the deck department, you will be in charge of navigation, cargo operations, and other deck responsibilities. Because a deck officer\’s main responsibilities will include navigating the ship and managing cargo operations, expect to spend long hours both at sea and on land.

  Types of Ships Merchant Navy Works On

  Professionals in the merchant navy work mostly on cargo ships and commercial vessels. The types of ships the merchant navy works on are:

  • Tanker ships
  • Passenger ships
  • Cruise ships
  • Container ships
  • Bulk carriers
  • Offshore vessels
  • Ro-R0 ships (Roll-On Roll-Off vessels)
  • Ferries