How to join Merchant Navy in 2022?
Are you seeking a career in Merchant Navy as an officer after school or graduation?
Merchant Navy is a job where people can find their career prospectus after their schooling or graduation. The time, when most of the students are worried.
Which profession to choose? Which profession can bring dignity in the society? Which profession could pay them high salaries? Which profession will give their life a meaning?
The answer for all the questions above is, Merchant Navy.
So let’s start from the very beginning about the two different departments required to run the ships in which you can seek your career-
- Deck Department
- Engine Department
Deck Department
This department mainly deals with the Navigation part. Officers of the watch maintain a lookout on ship’s bridge for the safe navigation of the ship. Along with this the officers on cargo ships have to carry out safe loading and unloading cargo operations at port.
To join Merchant Navy as a deck officer you need to go through one of the maritime courses conducted by various institutes. They are:
- BSc in Nautical Science
- Diploma Leading to BSc in Nautical Science (DNS)
Every student has to enroll himself and appear for common entrance test conducted by Indian Maritime University (IMU-CET), imu.edu.in . It is mandatory to appear for this exam as all the maritime institutes are recognized and are under Indian Maritime University.
If a student is interested to take admission in private institutions then, he can contact those institutions directly or the shipping companies for sponsorship.
Some of the companies are-
- Mediterranean Shipping Company
- Fleet Management Limited
- Anglo Eastern
- Synergy Maritime Group
- V Ships
- Maersk
- MOL Maritime (India) Pvt. Ltd
- Pacific International Line
BSc Nautical Science
This is a 3 year program conducted by government and private institutions under Indian Maritime University. Entrance exams are conducted every year in the month of June or July. While going through these courses different shipping companies pick cadets by campus placement by examining their knowledge, aptitude, physical fitness and much more.
These companies train their cadets on there ships for 12 months onboard. Later by completing this period, they are eligible for certificate of competency exam conducted by Directorate General of Shipping to become an officer. Some of the institutes are:
- T S Chanakya (IMU Mumbai Campus)
- Tolani Maritime Institute
- T S Rahman
Diploma Leading to BSc in Nautical Science
This is a 1 year program conducted by the government and private institutions under Indian Maritime University. It is conducted twice a year in the month of July/August and January/February.
Before the commencement of this course one should have sponsorship from any of the companies to take admission. Some institutions conduct sponsorship exams in their own campus with different shipping companies.
After the completion of a course, cadet has to go for 18 months of training period on a ship. Then he is eligible for certificate of competency exam conducted by Directorate General of Shipping to become an officer. Also he will get a BSc Nautical Science degree from Indian Maritime University.
Some of the institutions are:
- Tolani Maritime Institute
- Indian Maritime University
- Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy
- International Maritime Institute
- Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies
- Amet University
- Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies
- T S Rahman
Eligibility criteria
Either of these three
- 10+2 or equivalent (PCM-60% average)
- B.Sc (PCM)/ B.Sc (Electronics with Physics as individual subject in one
of the years) with marks not less than 60% in aggregate, - B.E. /B. Tech from IIT or college recognised by AICTE with marks not less than 50% in aggregate.
Note: English Marks are to be 50% or more in 10th or 12th or Degree examination. In case of SC/ST candidates there will be a 5% relaxation in eligibility marks; however, it will not apply to English marks.
Age limit
i) Minimum age - 17 years
ii) Maximum age - 25 Years
Note: For Scheduled Castes (SC) & Schedule Tribe (ST) Candidates maximum age relaxation is for five (5) years.
Physical fitness
Candidates seeking admission to any institute, must be physically fit and should meet the medical requirements as specified by Director General of Shipping, Mumbai
They are required to produce certificate of medical fitness from a Doctor approved by Director General of Shipping.
List of approved doctors for issuing the certificate is available at http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/Content/MaritimeHealthBranch.aspx.
Eye Sight
Vision should be 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in the other eye.The Eye Sight requirements are specified by the Directorate General of Shipping.
All the candidates must meet these requirements and will have to produce certificate of eye sight from a Doctor approved by Director General of Shipping.
Must read
What’s the highest salary of Merchant Navy Officer?
https://link.medium.com/AJHNfkyBJ5
About the Author
Manish Indraksh is a Navigating Officer sailing with Fleet Management Limited.
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