Step on board for a thrilling career

The Merchant Navy is a non-combatant commercial fleet, which deals with transporting cargo and occasionally, passengers, by sea.

Its fleet comprises 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 Merchant Navy is composed of vessels (ships), which carry cargo, oil or passengers. These ships may belong to Indian or foreign shipping companies.

In the Merchant Navy, major tasks are performed in three basic areas of a ship – the deck, engine and service department. There are thus, many career options that are available for any youngster who dreams of joining the merchant navy. Deck officers include the captain, chief officer, second officer, third officer and other junior officers. The engine department consists of the chief engineer, radio officer, electrical officer and junior engineers. The service department manages the kitchen, laundry, medical supplies, etc. Jobs are available with shipping companies in India and other countries.

Aspirants for the Merchant Navy should have team spirit, self-confidence, love for adventure, tough physical constitution, optimistic outlook, capacity for hard work, love for travelling, adaptability and a sporting spirit.

The two major streams in Merchant Navy, India, are: Navigating Officers and Marine Engineers.

Navigating Officers have to undergo a three-year training course in the theoretical and practical aspects of nautical science.This training is imparted in a ship meant for the purpose – the TS Chanakya, Mumbai.

At the end of the three-year course, cadets are granted a BSc degree in nautical science by the University of Mumbai. The Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI) in Kolkata, formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET)  imparts training in marine engineering. Admission to most such institutions is on the basis of written tests and interviews. Medical standards are uniformly imposed.

Full steam ahead in the merchant navy
The different career options in the Merchant Navy are in...

The Deck Department: Deck officers or navigation officers, as the name suggests, deals with the people in charge of the navigation of the ship. The Captain is generally in charge of the ship. He is not only responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel but also the safety of passengers, crew members and cargo. He is assisted by the First Mate, the Second Mate, the Third Mate and last but not the least – the cadets and the deck crew.

The Engine Department: Marine Engineers are completely responsibile for the ship's engine room. The main man in this department is the ship engineer, who ensures safe and economic running of all engines, boilers, electrical connections,  steam connections, etc. He supervises the work of the engine-room crew. The others who assist him in his job are the second engineer, third engineer, fourth engineer, fifth engineer, electrical officer and radio officer.

The Service Department: Service Department personnel cater to the crew as well as passengers in the ship. While the chief steward and his team of stewards, bakers and mess personnel head its canteen, others in this department excel in underwater examination of the heel of the ship, propellers, pipes, etc. Light keepers and nautical surveyors also form a part of the Service Department.