Many young people are drawn to a professional life in the Merchant Navy by the chance to travel the world and the allure of voyage on the seas, as well as the possibility of earning a good living. When compared to the navy, the merchant navy differs in that it provides commercial services, whereas the navy is mainly involved in defense.
The Merchant Navy serves as the foundation of international trade, transporting cargo from one part of the world to another. To transport and deliver significantly from one location to another, merchant ships require a large number of workers. Many aspects of the international market would grind to a halt if the merchant navy were not present!
When it comes to jobs, a merchant navy career is considered to be a glamorous one, especially for those who are curious about traveling. It provides an opportunity to travel to new and exotic locations all over the world. It is a good investment. A career in the merchant navy is not only financially rewarding but is also satisfying and quite challenging.
There are a few eligibility criteria that must be met to be considered for this position. The following are the array of the eligibility standards that are set:
Let’s now look at the other details, such as the different merchant navy courses and the different types of postings that one can choose from after completing the 10th grade in interested in pursuing a career in the navy.
There are six months of pre-sea training in total during this program. It is also known as General Purpose Rating (GP Rating) Students who have completed the tenth grade with mathematics, science, and English as subject matters are eligible to seek this course at the university level. The candidate's age must be between 17.5 - 25 years old at the time of application.
According to Merchant Shipping regulations, the applicant must also be mentally and physically fit. The minimum requirement for vision is 6/6 without any color blindness. The GP Rating program is based on subject areas that are related to the roles and responsibilities of deck and engine personnel. Candidates who complete the course, sea service, and obtain the necessary certificates will be eligible to work as an engine or deck crew on merchant navy ships.
After finishing this program, one can pursue a career as a deck crew member in the Navy service. The course will take place over six months, following the successful completion of training. As a trainee cadet, one will be assigned to a unit in the service. To gain experience as a crew member and to earn a higher salary, perks, and other benefits, 3 years of training will be required to complete the program. It would take six months to complete pre-sea training before spending the next year onboard the ship.
While certain facets of this deck crew training are covered in the GP Rating course, there are different deck crew training programs that are also available. The pre-sea training course is six months in length. To be eligible for this course, students must have completed their 10th-grade education (with English, science, and Mathematics as subjects). The candidate should be between the ages of 17.5 - 25 years old.
The candidate must be physically fit as per the Merchant Shipping regulations. The minimum requirement for vision is 6/6 without any color blindness. This program is solely concerned with deck training. After completing the course, completing sea service, and obtaining the necessary certificates, one can apply to join as an expert on merchant navy ships and as a member of their deck crew.
This course will prepare you to work as an Assistant Engineer and even as a member of an Engine Crew in the Navy Service. Several merchant navy institutes also provide a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering degree program. There are six months left on this Diploma course, which is a six-month course duration. After finishing this program, one can apply to join the navy service as a member of the Engine crew. The engine crew's primary responsibility is to help the Engineers in the maintenance of the ship's engine department.
Although certain elements of this engine crew training are covered in the GP Rating course, distinct engine crew training programs are also available. The pre-sea training course is six months in length. To be eligible for this course, students must have completed their 10th-grade education (with English, science, and Mathematics as subjects). The candidate must be a minimum of 17.5 years old and maximum of 25 years old.
Under Merchant Shipping regulations, the candidate must be physically fit. The minimum required vision is 6/6 and no color blindness or other visual impairment. An engine training is the sole focus of this program. A merchant navy ship's engine crew can be formed after completion of a course and completion of required sea service needs certifications.
There are six months of pre-sea training in total for this course. The catering unit of this merchant navy is the subject of the saloon course. It prepares students to take on duties in the catering unit of merchant navy ships by providing them with training and experience.
Many Maritime Institutes admit students who have completed their 10th-grade education. 17.5 is the minimum and 25 years is the maximum age requirement. Make sure the applicant to this course is physically fit as well.
This course is primarily intended for those who work in the gally unit of the ship. This course will take approximately 6 months to complete. After completing this course, you will be eligible to apply for a job. It is planned that one of them will work in the ship's catering department.
NCV is an abbreviation of Near Coastal Voyage. The training program will last for six months. Following the initial training program, there will be 24 months of offshore training or an 18-month distance learning program to complete.
If you have cleared your 10-grade exam, then you can go for this course. You have to be at least 17.5 years and a maximum of 25 years as per the eligibility criteria of the NCV course. Make sure you are fit as per the rules of merchant shipping before enrolling in this program.
The majority of institutes require a minimum educational qualification of 10+2 Science subjects (math group) as the least educational qualification. Nonetheless, some institutes do admit students who have completed their 10th-grade education!
d di Marine Engineering diploma is a three-year diploma certificate program that focuses on marine engineering. Upon completion of a Marine Engineering diploma, students may apply for a two-year pre-sea training program for Diploma holders in marine engineering.
The DME course is the name given to this pre-sea training course. The ability to work as a Technician atop merchant navy ships is obtained after completing the pre-ship training course, passing the qualifying examinations, and performing sea service.
Diploma holders in marine engineering may also be eligible for admission to the second year of the B.E./B.Tech Marine Engineering program. This procedure is referred to as a "lateral entry."
Note: It is likely to acquire sea service expertise after having completed any of the above-mentioned courses and enlisting in the merchant marine. The opportunity to sit for improved qualifying examinations and advance through the ranks is available regularly.
The following courses are available at maritime institutes:
Fire safety & fire fighting, electrical certification, welding, and other short-term technical courses, as well as the courses mentioned above. However, the courses on the list are among the best available (& well known).
Those who are willing to complete their 11th and 12th grades in the Science stream (math group) will be able to apply even more advanced maritime courses after completing their tenth-grade education.
This is the career path that provides you with the opportunity to achieve financial independence at a very early age. If a person has completed class 12 with Science, he or she may be eligible to become a leader or technician in the military. After completing any of this coursework, you can work as a crew member in the board or engine departments, where you can earn a high salary that is difficult to match in any other field.
Depending on the company type you have joined, you can earn anywhere from 35,000/- for every month to 50,000/- for every month or more immediately following the course. Foreign corporations are typically known for paying their employees well. The average monthly salary in the merchant navy ranges from 4.5 lakhs - 25 lakhs every month, depending on experience.
This is the profession of the passer. If you do not enjoy training, you should not consider joining the merchant navy. One of the benefits of being in the merchant navy is that you will be able to tour the world without spending a penny while on duty. These benefits are only available to a select few professions.
If you want to join the military, make certain that you complete your training phase successfully and that you receive appropriate education and training about the stream or department. This is a field in which your abilities are extremely important.
Pay in the Merchant Navy can range from Rs.12000 per month up to Rs.8 lakhs per month, though the pay structure varies from one company to another as well as from city to city and depending on the company's export-import needs, seniority, and other factors. All crew members & officers are provided with complimentary meals onboard, and senior officers are permitted to bring their wives along for the trip.
A Jr. Engineer on a cruise can expect to earn approximately Rs. 30,000 for every month in addition to receiving free boarding & lodging while onboard the ship. On a ship, the next level is that of the Second Engineer, and the highest level is that of the Chief Engineer. Your salary increases significantly as you continue to advance in your career.
The Chief Engineer at ship earns at least Rs. 1.5 lakhs for every month after taxes, if not more. The time it takes for a Jr. Engineer Officer to be promoted to the position of Chief Engineer is approximately 6-7 years, depending on the individual's capabilities and the job opportunities available.
The salary of a Third Officer is approximately Rs. 50,000 per month, plus free boarding & lodging while being on board the ship. Second Officer, Chief Officer, and Captain of a ship are the next levels of seniority, in rising order of seniority. A Captain's total pay is worth at least Rs. 2 lakhs for every month before taxes, if not more. In most cases, it takes approximately 8 years for a 3rd Officer to advance to the position of Captain, depending on the individual's skills and the employment opportunities available.
In addition to this, duty-free imports such as alcohol, cigarettes, canned foods, and cosmetics are also available onboard. Every year, they are also authorized to a four-month leave of absence. The fact is that there is no IT return required on the income of a leading merchant navy expert is a fascinating fact to consider.
For those who have a strong desire to travel, a career in the navy can be extremely rewarding.
You May Also Like:1. What Are The Employment Opportunities After Completing Merchant Navy Courses?
Based on the requirement of merchant vessels, there are various vacancies are opened. Most of the time, people prefer jobs in the private sector of overseas trades, since the pay is quite reasonable for the work. And if you want to enable yourself to see the world, work, and earn at the same time, then for sure, pursuing merchant navy courses seems like a great idea.
2. Is It A Good Idea To Pursue Another Merchant Navy Course When You Have Just Completed One?
It isn’t necessary to pursue two merchant navy courses one after the other. However, if you have already worked at a lower level, and now you want to upgrade yourself to a higher level post, then pursuing another course is a good idea. This way, you can apply for other higher-level jobs with better pay in the private sector, and if any company is recruiting highly trained and educated professionals, you’d have a better chance of getting that job.
3. How Difficult Pre-Sea Training Will Be?
No matter which merchant navy course you sign up for, most of the time, you’d have to clear the pre-sea training and exam before the overseas trading companies hire you. And definitely, completing pre-sea training isn’t child's play. The training and exam are conducted by Mercantile Marine Department, which tests a candidate's theoretical as well as practical knowledge, and some candidates require multiple attempts before onboarding.