Merchant navy is an excellent career option for those bitten by the travel bug and enticed by the adventures of the seas. The profession gives you the opportunity to travel around the world and meet new people. For those interested in pursuing a career, the post guides them by sharing details about merchant navy courses, career options, and job prospects. Read on.
What is a merchant navy?
Merchant navy is different from the navy because it offers commercial services. It is the backbone of international trade as cargos are carried on large marine vessels across the world. A big team works on the ship to deliver goods from one country to another. It won’t be wrong to say that import-export business relies on merchant navy.
Merchant navy courses
Pre-sea training
The course involves training students about maintenance of engine and deck, which is also called as General Purpose Rating (G.P.R). The training period is six months, and students who scored a minimum of 40 aggregate percentage can join the course after 10th. It is mandatory to have science, mathematics, and English in 10th and a minimum of 40 percent in each of these subjects. The age limit for pre-sea training course is 17 to 25 years.
Deck Cadet
The student is given a diploma in nautical science in the merchant navy course. The minimum eligibility to apply for the course is 10+2, with chemistry, physics, and math being compulsory subjects. Also, the student must have a minimum of 50 percent aggregate in 10+2 and 50 percent in English at 10+2 or 10th.
STCW Course
STCW is a safety course compulsory for all the seamen. There are four basic categories in the course curriculum:
Elementary First Aid (EFA)
Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)
It is a 15-days course.
Successful completion of any of these courses ensures that you are ready to pursue your dream and make a career in the Merchant navy. The job is glamorous and takes you to exotic places around the world.
Career options
Let’s look at the career options and salary scope.
GP rating
Qualification – Class 10
Field Requisite – 4+2 months of pre-sea course
Average Salary (approx) – INR 25,000 – 60,000 per month
Trainee cadet
Qualification – Class 12 with a pre-sea nautical diploma
Field Requisite – 1-year pre-sea course
Average Salary (approx) – INR 25000 – 85000 per month
Deck Cadet
Qualification – Class 12 with a pre-sea nautical diploma
Field Requisite – 18 months of service at sea as a deck cadet
Average Salary (approx) – INR 25000 – 85000 per month
3rd officer/ 2nd officer
Qualification – Second Mate (FG) certificate of competency
Field Requisite – 18 months of service at sea as the 3rd officer/ 2nd officer
Average Salary (approx) – INR 1.5 lacs – 3 lacs per month
Chief officer
Qualification – First Mate (FG) certificate of competency
Field Requisite – 19 months of service at sea as Chief officer
Average Salary (approx) – INR 5 lacs – 6 lacs per month
Captain
Qualification – Master (FG) certificate of competency
Field requisite – 4-5 years of experience in the industry
Average Salary (approx) – INR 8.65 lacs – 20 lacs per month
Merchant navy is a high-paying career with a lot of perks you wouldn’t have thought of. The career opportunities are ample, and you might be earning in six figures soon.
