Home » Working Women » Careers - Other Options » Join the Merchant Navy

Seafaring seems to have been a male bastion! There are'nt too many women joining the Merchant Navy till date. Probably due to a lack of awareness, about this profession. Let's sail through this exciting career option, and see what it has to offer.

• In olden days working onboard was a difficult job as there was no way to contact land during sailing but now in the new era of Satellite phones and Internet you can get daily news from home via e- mail and the news. Almost like living abroad!

• It's considered "hard" work, not exactly suitable for women. But with the Automation on ships today, the workload has been reduced and simplified.

• You can see the world while at work. It is a great choice for someone who enjoys travel and visiting new places.

• Practical exposure gives one the satisfaction that one is able to translate all that was learnt in college. Adventures like a storms, rain, fog etc present a real challenge to knowledge and help build self-confidence.

• This job can never be monotonous. While you stay on ship you become self- reliant and independent, ready to face any challenge in life.

• Besides adventure, it is a very lucrative career. A Deck Cadet earns an average of Rs.10,000- 20,000 per month, whereas the Third officer earns around Rs.75,000.per month. The Captain earns more than Rs. 1 lakh per month.

• Consider this a total saving, since food, uniform, travel expenses are all paid for by the company.

• Your family can also accompany you on the ship.

• So if you are ready to stay away from home for 4-5 months and are looking for an adventurous life, Merchant Navy is the right choice for you.

• The only hitch being, that once you are married and have responsibilities at home, can you afford to go sailing for 5 months ....? There are shore jobs if you wish to quit after few years of sailing. Ship operations, Logistics, Teaching etc to name a few, to keep all the options open, once you wish to quit sailing.

Eligibility

• Std. XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
• Eye-sight should be 6/6 for deck cadet. Engineers have some relaxation..
• For becoming a Navigating Officer:




1. You can join by sitting for the IIT entrance exam and filling a separate form for "Chanakya". If selected, it is a 3 year B.Sc. Nautical Science course from Mumbai University. You then need 12 months of training on a ship, after which you have to do the mandatory courses and give oral exams to get Second Mate's Certificate of Competency.
   

2. You can join as pre-sea cadet after 3 months of training on shore. You can then sail on ships for 24 months of sailing period (while at sea you can also do the B.Sc. Nautical Science from IGNOU via correspondence ) and then do classes for appearing in a written exam, conducted by the Director General of Shipping. Finally you will need to do the courses & orals to get Second Mate's Certificate of Competency.

Work Profile

There are 2 Streams in the Merchant Navy, which work parallel, the Deck Department and the Engine Department.

Deck Department

A) Master or Captain (Incharge of ship)

B) Chief Officer
- Incharge of Cargo operations
- Keeps 0400-0800, 1600-2000 Navigation watch

C) Second Officer
- Passage planning and Chart/Publications maintenance
- Keeps 0000-0400, 1200-1600 Navigation watch at sea or
- Keeps 0000-0600, 1200-1800 Cargo watch in port

D) Third Officer
- Life saving equipments & Fire fighting equipments maintenance
- Keeps 0800-1200, 2000-2400 Navigation watch at sea or
- Keeps 0600-1200, 1800-2400 Cargo watch in port

Engine Department

A) Chief Engineer (In charge of Engine room)

B) Second Engineer
- Maintenance of Main engine
- Keeps 0400-0800, 1600-2000 Engine room watch

C) Third Engineer
- Maintenance of Generators and Boilers
- Keeps 0000-0400, 1200-1600 Engine room watch

D) Fourth Engineer
- Maintenance of Purifiers and Fresh water Generator
- Keeps 0800-1200, 2000-2400 Engine room watch

The paradox lies in the fact that even though there has been a shortage of officers in India and ladies have never been discriminated against in the selection process, the number of women applying, has been almost insignificant. Perhaps it's the Indian mindset which needs to change. I end on a buoyant note: it's been a very rewarding and satisfying profession for me!

- SONIKA JOSHI