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The merchant navy is composed of vessels (ships) which carry cargo (called bulk carriers) or oil (called tankers) or passengers (called liners). These ships may belong to Indian or foreign shipping companies. On board these ships the most important officers are the navigating officers and the marine engineers. Navigating officers are responsible for the navigation of the ship. Loading and discharge of cargo, maintenance of the ship, safety of passengers and crew and observance of the various national and international codes of conduct relating to sea transportation. The highest post a navigating officer can aspire to is master of a ship. Marine engineers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship's main engines and auxiliary machinery and the safety equipment. The highest position a marine engineer aspires to is chief engineer of a ship. Navigating officers and marine engineers are usually employed by shipping companies on a contractual basis. The period of contract varies form six months to nine months in different companies. Their work environment is on board ships. They travel long distance over water and during these voyages these merchant navy personnel are totally cut off from their families. For weeks together only the crew and the passengers provide company while they sail over wide expanses of the sea/ocean. The ship is their world and each vessel is self-sufficient in every respect. During its voyage a ship may not berth at every harbour. Sometimes vessels may have to wait for an anchorage outside harbours for days. In contrast to this type of monotony these officers are given long spells of leave during which they may spend as much time as possible with their families and friends enjoying landlubbers' activities. After attaining a certain levels of seniority, officers are allowed to take their families on board the ships should they desire to. The work of navigating officers and marine engineers offers a lot of challenge because in the middle of the ocean the ship has to be self-sufficient in every way and it is solely their responsibility to ensure this. There is also the thrill of visiting new places in a variety of climatic and cultural zones. Numeracy; a scientific temper; ability to work as one of a team; self-confidence; love for adventure; tough physical constitution; optimistic outlook; capacity for hard work; loge for travelling; adaptability; and a sporting spirit.
Navigating officers have to undergo a three-year training course in the theoretical and practical aspects of nautical science. This training is imparted in the training ship (TS) Chanakya, Mumbai. This course includes seamanship, navigation, cargo work, ship maintenance, naval architecture, collision prevention and marine communication. Practical training includes maintenance work on the ship and experience in handling various navigational instruments and also boatwork. All drills carried out in sea-going ships pertaining to safety of life at sea are regularly carried out on board. The TS Chanakya (formerly Rajendra) is an institution imparting maritime education and training to the prospective navigating officers of the country. It is affiliated to the University of Mumbai as a degree college for conducting the three-year course in natural science, the syllabus aims to give a broad-based marine education with special emphasis on the fundamentals of marine subjects and practical aspects of the profession. Physical training is an essential part of the curriculum to keep the young persons fit for the tough and adventurous career at sea. The theoretical and practical training programme instills officer-like qualities and a high sense of discipline in the cadets. At the end of the three-year course cadets are awarded a B.Sc. Nautical science by the University of Mumbai. After successful completion of this course the cadet officers have to complete one year in the deck department before being able to bid for the grant of second mates (foreign going) certificate of competency. During this period a nominal stipend is paid to them. The marine engineering course of training is conducted by the Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI) Calcutta, formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET). The marine engineering training schedule is spread over a period of our years and it leads to a graduation certificate considered equivalent to a first degree in engineering by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for appointment in the senior services of the government. During the four-year course much importance is attached to participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the institute. Cadets are given exposure to the fundamental engineering sciences together with specialized knowledge of theoretical and practical marine engineering and basic knowledge of humanities and the social sciences. Initial training at the MERI includes the use of basic hand tools, machine tools and technical gadgets pertaining to the engineering subjects. Subsequently, cadets are attached to the marine workshop and are engaged in the overhaul, repair and maintenance of the ship's main and auxiliary machinery and shipboard systems. Technology classes are held in advanced marine engineering and technology. Practical training in the powerhouse gives cadets an as simulators. Visits to factories, shipyards and modern merchant ships form a part of the co-curricular activities. It is compulsory for cadets to take part in physical training, swimming and outdoor games. Facilities for hobbies such as photography and music are also provided. Performance of the cadets is assessed not only in terms of achievements in academics but also in terms of participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities together with the discipline maintained by them.
Entry into Merchant Navy Courses Admission to the courses on nautical science and marine engineering is open to students who have completed the plus two or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics and secured at least 35 per cent marks. An entrance examination is held for admission, which assesses the candidate's knowledge of physics, chemistry and mathematics of the plus two or equivalent standard. The nature of the entrance test is a combination of the objective and subjective types of questions. The written test is followed by an interview which is basically a test of personality. Applications for these courses should be mentally and physically fit. For joining TS Chanakya normal vision of 6/6 in each eye separately is essential and wearing of glasses is not allowed. For joining MERI, glasses are allowed up to plus or minus 2.5 Defective colour vision is a disqualification for both the programmes. Selection to T S Chanakya and MERI Candidates for admission to Training Ship "Chanakya", Mumbai and Directorate of Marine Engineering, Calcutta, are selected on the basis of a common entrance examination IIT-JEE. The number of seats for each of the institution is fixed on the basis of projected employment opportunities. Number of candidates admitted to these institutions vary each year. Eligibility for admission - Admission is open to unmarried Indian male and female candidates. Candidates from friendly countries may be directly admitted with the approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Surface Transport. Age Limit - A candidate must not exceed 20 years of age on 1st September, of the year of entry. This age limit is relaxable by 5 years in the case of candidates belonging to SC/ST. Academic qualification - The minimum academic qualification for admission to Training Ship "Chanakya" and Directorate of Marine Engineering Training is a pass in a Final examination of Standard XII of 10 plus 2 system or its equivalent, having passed individually in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as elective subjects. A list of Qualifying examination is given below:
Physical Fitness - a candidate for admission is examined for physical fitness by authorised medical authorities. The candidate must be physically fit and meet the medical requirements as specified. Reservation of seats - 15 percent of the total seats available to Indian nationals are reserved for eligible students belonging to Scheduled Castes and 7.5 percent for Scheduled Tribes provided they satisfy other requirements. Mode of selection - From 1995 the selection for admission to the B. Sc. Nautical Science degree of "TS Chanakya" Mumbai and four years Marine Engineering Degree course at Marine Engineering Research Institute, Calcutta is made through the Joint Examination conducted by the IIT. After the written test a merit list is prepared. Although a student may express his/her preference for one course of training or the other, the final distribution of the candidate between the 2 courses of training is at the discretion of the Director General of Shipping. Entrance exam syllabus for TS Chanakya/Meri - It is same as prescribed for IIT. Other Routes for Entry into Merchant Navy 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 plus two or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics. Some shipping companies select deck cadets through a written examination in physics, chemistry and mathematics. The written examination is followed by a personal interview. After a minimum of three years on-the-job training the navigating officers. In the case of engineering officers, shipping lines follow their own recruitment polices. Sometimes candidates with BE qualifications are taken in directly after they complete an eight-month attachment with a naval dockyard in Mumbai, Cochin, Calcutta or Vishakapatnam. Unlike the marine engineers from MERI, these candidates have to pass an additional competency examination. Cadets, after completing the three-year nautical science programme and acquiring the certificate of competency of second mate (foreign going) are eligible to be appointed as third/second officer on board a merchant ship. They can draw a handsome salary. For subsequent promotions second officers have to render further sea service and also pass the higher examinations, namely, first mate ((FG) and master (FG). The certificate of competency as master (FG) entitles the officer to become the captain of a merchant ship. After completing the four-year training programme at the MERI a cadet is taken in as a junior engineer officer on a merchant ship, who earns a handsome salary. Subject to satisfactory service and passing of requisite examinations, junior engineer officers are posted as third engineer, second engineer and ultimately chief engineer of a merchant ship. The competence examinations for navigating officers and for the marine engineers are conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai. The merchant navy offers bright prospects to navigating officers and marine engineers. Their starting salaries are in the region of Rs. 30,000 to Rs.40,000 per month. In foreign shipping companies salaries are paid in foreign currency. Pay and Perks differ from company to company. Emoluments are much higher on a foreign vessels specially the West European, US, and those from Gulf. Officers earn from Rs.50,000 to Rs.2,00,000 a month depending on the level of seniority and shipping organization. Every officer and crew of the merchant navy working on board a vessel which is carrying foreign cargo is entitled to draw 75 percent of his net earning in foreign exchange. This is a major privilege and a vital perk of this profession. Besides the foreign currency, imported liquor, cigarettes, canned foods, cosmetics, etc are available on board duty free. This facility adds, though artificially, to the actual wages. In addition to the hefty pay and allowances, both officers and the crew receive free meals on board. They are also entitled to a four-month leave every year. And lastly, a few officers on board are also entitled to take their wives on board during the voyages. The prospects of promotion are directly linked to passing of the requisite competency examinations conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport through the DGS. Salaries rise with promotions and enterprising officers may gain their promotions very early in life. A career in the merchant navy, thus, offers high salaries, thrill, challenge and adventure-all in one package.
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