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.
Prominent institutes conducting courses in this
field are TS Chanakya, Mumbai and Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI),
in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility
for courses in Nautical science and Marine engineering is 10+2 or an equivalent
examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics. Click
here for more information
Job Prospects and Career Options:
Merchant Navy is the backbone of international trade, carrying cargo across the
globe. Without the merchant navy, much of the import-export business would grind
to a halt. Click
here for more Information
Promotion in merchant Navy:
Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, takes care of the training
needs and conducts competency exam through the Directorate General of Shipping
(DGS). Click
here for more information
Remuneration : The starting
salary varies between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month. Click
here for more Information
Institutes: Click
here for the Institutes in India
