HOW TO JOIN MERCHANT NAVY

Efficient transport by sea is an important mode of transportation, particularly for a country like India with an outlet to the sea. Indian Merchant Navy comprises of Passengers Ships, Cargo Liners, Tankers, Ore-Carriers and other types of specialized ships. These ships are operated by the public sector and private sector shipping companies and are manned by trained Marine Engineers, Navigators and Crew.
Ocean -going merchant vessels are to be manned by competent seafares who need to be specially trained. Various International Conventions have adopted resolutions to the effect that seafarers manning the merchant vessels must be fully trained for the challenges that this job at sea requires. In order to meet this challenge, HIMT, Chennai has been established.

Careers in the Merchant Navy are broadly divided into Deck side, Engine Room and Saloon (Catering). Jobs are open to candidates at various level of educational qualification who have completed any of the following: 10th, 10+2 , Engineering Diploma in Mech Engineers, B.E.(Mechnical/Electrical),Naval Architecures, B.Sc Nautical etc.

Pre-Sea Training enables young and energetic candidates to take up a career of their choice in the Merchant Navy depending upon their educational qualification. During Pre-Sea training, the candidates will be trained to understand the duties required to be carried out by them on Merchant Ships.

After Pre-Sea training, the candidates sails on board Merchant Ships to gain the necessary sea experience, elevate in his career.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PRE-SEA TRAINING COURSES

Pre-sea Training for officers & Ratings is essential for every seafarers to gain knowledge about his routine works onboard ships as per the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention.


Pre-Sea Training For B.Sc (Nautical Science):
This training program aims at preparing the candidates to face with fortitude and endurance, the hardships of life at sea and to inspire in them a sense of devotion to duty, feeling of good will & comradeship, which is essential for the life at sea.

The programme is of Six Semesters, of which, first five are of 6 months duration and the Sixth Semester is of 4 months duration. First two Semesters i.e. 1 year is on-shore training which is designed to impart basic knowledge on the type of merchant ships, ship operations, types of goods carried by ships, shipping trade and a good foundation in the basic principles of navigation and the environmental science. During, the subsequent three semesters, candidates are trained on job i.e. onboard a ship in the practical application of the theory learnt.

Sixth and final semester is conducted at an approved Training Institute. The emphasis during this semester is to prepare the candidate for the examination of 2nd Mate Certificate of Competency conducted by the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping. On successful completion of this examination, the candidate is awarded a degree in B. Sc. (Nautical Science) and a Certificate of Competency which enables him to become an officer on a merchant ship.

18 Credits are awarded on successful completion of each Semester i.e. a total 108 credits (18 × 6) would be required for award of B.Sc (Nautical Science) degree


Pre-Sea Training For G.P.Ratings:
This course is of 6 months duration. On successful completion of this Pre-Sea Training, the candidates will be eligible to join in Indian /Foreign Shipping companies as a Deck/Engine crew. With Further Sea -service , they be promoted as a motorman/oil man, Fitter, Deck Serang, BOSUN, Able-Bodied Seamen. They can also be promoted to Officer Level with certain service and qualification requirements

Pre-Sea Training For Maritime Catering (Saloon Ratings):
This course is of 6 months duration.On successful completion of this Pre-Sea Training, course enables the candidates to acquire Indian CDC and to work as Saloon Ratings on board Merchant Ships in the Catering Department.

Trainee Marine Engineers Course for Graduate Engineers
The candidate holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering/ Naval Architecture. (AICTE approved)This is a 1 year non-residential course leading to Certificate of Competency(C.O.C) OF Class IV Marine Engineer Officer. The C.O.C. will be awarded by the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Surface Transport , Govt of India on completion of requisite sea service and qualifying examinations.

JOB PROSPECTS

After passing out from the academy and obtaining the CDC from the Shipping Master, the candidates qualify to take up employment as seamen aboard a ship of National or international flag on their own. Due to vast increase in the sea transportation there is a potential of job opportunities for seafarers both in Indian and Foreign Shipping companies.

HIMT is only training academy and it is not responsible for the placement


NATURE OF DUTIES AND EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

Shipping is an International industry employing seafarers of different nationalities, trained to high professional standards. Merchant ships require qualified and competent personnel to man various service and systems on Board.

1) Deck Officers are responsible for safe navigation, cargo handling and allied duties. These Ratings are employed in the deck department of the ship and are normally called "Cadet". They undertake the routine maintenance of the vessel including chipping, painting, greasing, repairs to the Ship's hull, superstructure. They are trained to operate the deck machinery like cranes, derricks and also undertake the steering of the vessel at sea. At sea they are employed as look outs on the bridge under the officer on duty.
A competent person can aspire to become the Master(Captain) of a Merchant ship after required seatime and passing various exams

2) Marine Engineers Officers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of engineering and electrical equipments on board. These ratings are employed in the engine room for routine maintenance, upkeep of the different machineries, boilers pumps, etc., They basically assist the engineers in the routine function of the engine room. At sea, they keep a record and monitor the running of the machinery an assist the engineer officer on duty. A competent person can rise to the level of Chief Engineers of a Merchant Ship after required sea time and passing various exams.

3) GP Ratings would be working either as a Deck Rating or as Engine Room Rating.
a) Deck Ratings are responsible for safe navigation, cargo handling and allied duties. These Ratings are employed in the deck department of the ship and are normally called "Cadet". They undertake the routine maintenance of the vessel including chipping, painting, greasing, repairs to the Ship's hull, superstructure. They are trained to operate the deck machinery like cranes, derricks and also undertake the steering of the vessel at sea. At sea they are employed as look outs on the bridge under the officer on duty.
A competent person can aspire to become the Master(Captain) of a Merchant ship after required seatime and passing various exams .
b) Engine Ratings are responsible for the operation and maintenance of engineering and electrical equipments on board. These ratings are employed in the engine room for routine maintenance, upkeep of the different machineries, boilers pumps, etc., They basically assist the engineers in the routine function of the engine room. At sea, they keep a record and monitor the running of the machinery an assist the engineer officer on duty. A competent person can rise to the level of Chief Engineers of a Merchant Ship after required sea time and passing various exams.

4)Maritime catering (Saloon Ratings) are responsible for good housekeeping and providing tasty and hygienic food for personnel on board. The Saloon ratings are employed for the upkeep and maintenance of the accommodation and living spaces including officer's cabins and officer's saloon. They attend to the officer's saloon and arrange to serve food, clean and issue linen to the officers/crew. The Chief cook is a part of the saloon department and is responsible for the storage, preparation of wholesome food for all the ship's officers/crew and upkeep of the galley (Kitchen).
A competent person can rise to the level of Catering Officer/ Purser on board a Merchant Ship. Saloon Ratings are also in great demand in the Cruise shipping Industry.

Indian Seafarers are well recognized for their competence buy both Indian and Foreign based shipping companies, and they have wide-ranging opportunities in the Shipping Industry. In order to further strengthen Indian participation, Ministry of shipping , Government of India, have introduced new measures to assist Indian Seafarers through effective training as per IMO standards.