MERCHANT NAVY

Merchant Navy as its very name connotes is a commercial fleet handling cargo to far off countries located in different direction of the globe. Merchant Navy offers a career, very different from others. It offers not only good prospects of earning and promotion but makes you a successful globetrotter as well.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES :
Medically and Physically one should be sound to face the rigorous life at sea, mentally, one should be prepared to be away from home and family for an extended period of time. There is no place for the weak. To someone who is adventurous, extrovert and wants to enjoy life with others, merchant navy offers a very suitable career.
MAIN AREAS OF WORK :
There are two streams in the Merchant Navy- Navigating and Engineering.
(1) Navigating officers are responsible for the navigation of the ship, for efficient leading and discharge of cargo, the safe operation of the ship, safety of passengers and observation of international and national codes of conduct.
(2) Marine Engineers are responsible for keeping the ships engine in fine fettle.
FUNCTIONAL SET UP :
The captain (Master) holds the highest rank in navigation and the Chief Engineer in Engineering. On joining the ship, the cadet is appointed third mate in case of navigation and fifth engineer in case of engineering. The promotional routes are from third mate to second mate, first mate and captain and from fifth engineer to fourth, third and second engineer and then Chief Engineer.
COURSES/TRAINING :
The two internationally recognized training institutes in India are training ship Chanakya (formerly Rajendra), New Bombay and Marine Engineering and Research Institutes (MERI), Calcutta. Both operate under the Ministry of Surface Transport. The former produces navigating officers while the latter marine engineers.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION PROCEDURE :
The selection for admission to the 3 year course leading to a B.Sc.(Nautical Science) Degree at T.S. Chanakya and a 4 year Marine Engineering Degree Course at Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), Calcutta is made through the Joint Entrance Examination conducted by IITs. Those interested to seek admission to TSC/MERI have to submit JEE-form as per instructions given in the advertisement released by IIT every year.
A G E :
Even though the age limit for admission to IIT are slightly different candidate seeking admission to T.S.Chanakya/MERI, must not exceed the age limit of 20 years as on 1st October of the year of admission. The upper age limit for SC/ST is 25 years.
QUALIFICATION :
The minimum qualification required for admission is a pass in the final examination standard XII of 10+2 system or its equivalent, having passed invidually in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as elective subjects.
PHYSICAL FITNESS :
Good vision is very important for navigation and people wearing spectacles are discouraged. In the engineering stream, glasses up to 2-5 D are allowed but defective colour vision is a disqualification. So one in his own interest should have his eyesight throughly tested by an Opthalmic Surgeon.
OTHERS ROUTES FOR ENTRY :
Instead of entering the merchant navy through the training programmes at TS Chanakya and MERI, interested persons may directly approach shipping firms/lines, which from time to time recruit deck cadets and train them for a marine career. Minimum eligibility to apply for deck cadets is a pass in +2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. In case of engineering officers shipping lines follow their own recruitment policies. Sometimes candidates with BE qualifications are taken directly after they complete on eight month attachment with a naval dockyard in Bombay, Cochin, Calcutta or Vishakapatnam. Unlike the marine engineers from MERI these candidates have to pass additional competency examination.
ENTRY OF WOMEN :
The image of the bearded captain in white uniform may no longer signify the typical mariner, soon women, too will done that cap. With Sonali Banarjee of Allahabad joining the marine engineering courses the Indian merchant navy is finally entering the unisex time zone. More and more women are now opting for training in marine engineering which will eventually lead to their employment in the merchant navy.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES :
Among all developing countries, India ranks as one of the countries having the largest merchant shipping fleets. Therefore, there is enough scope for employment in Indian as well as foreign ships. Campus interviews are a regular feature at these institutes and among the reputed foreign companies that recruit Indian seamen are Neptune orient, Maersk, Wallem, Angle Eastern and Chevron leading the Indian companies are the shipping corporation of India. Essar and the Great Estern Shipping Corporations. The salary range for both streams varies from Rs.15000/- to Rs.One lakh and more on Indian ships and 600 Dollar to 6000 dollar and more on foreign ships. Enterprising officers may gain their promotions very early in life. A career in the merchant navy thus offer high salaries, challenge and adventure-all in one package.