IT
Perspective
Information technology has made its mark in every possible avenue, taking a
million leaps and crossing all boundaries, it is
just everywhere. Therefore, belonging to the prestigious Merchant Navy will not in
any way leave you upset about not working
on PCs. Miles away from the seashore you are still in touch with onshore
colleagues. How? Through wireless networks you
may say but, the driver behind the establishment of automation systems and
offshore control systems is Information
Technology.
We suggest you work your way around this
interesting concept/subject as much before time as possible. During your training
then, you may be able to concentrate on offshore activities instead of having
to learn basic concepts of computers.
In fact, go ahead and find out the various
information web sites on Merchant Navy, the recruitment process, and all that
interests you so that you are able to make an informed choice for your
future.
Your
Training
COURSE AND PRACTICAL TRAINING
The syllabus is drawn up to
impart broad based marine education with special emphasis on fundamentals of marine
subjects
and practical aspects of the profession. The educational and training
programme is designed to inculcate officer like qualities
and a high sense of discipline in the cadets.Physical training is an
essential part of the curriculum to keep the young persons
fit for the tough and adventurous career at sea. The scholastic subjects
include English and Communication Skills, Applied
Mathematics, Physics and Electronics, Computer Science and Marine Management.
Practical in these subjects are held as
per the University of Mumbai’s requirements. The professional subjects
include Navigation and ship operation technology.
The practical training covers
maintenance work of the ship and experience in handling various navigational instruments.
All
drills carried out in sea going ships pertaining to safety of life at sea are
regularly exercised on board. The Applied subjects
taught are Maritime Commerce, Marine Engineering and Control systems and
Environmental Science (Meteorology, Geology
Oceanography, Marine pollution, Hydrographic surveying etc.) The total
expenditure incurred by each cadet for the three
years course is approx. Rs 25,000/-. At the time of joining each cadet will
have to pay a sum of approximately Rs. 8,500/-.
The balance has to be paid in five installments at the beginning of
subsequent terms.
The first certificate of
competency for the navigating officer from T.S. Chanakya is that of Second mate (Foreign
Going - FG).
After successfully completing the three year degree course in Nautical
Science on the Training Ship “Chanakya”, the cadet
officer is required to complete certain minimum sea service ranging from 12
months to 18 months, on board a merchant ship
before becoming eligible for the grant of Second mate (F.G.) certificate of
competency. During this period he is given a
nominal stipend. Candidates who pass the B.Sc. (Nautical Science) examination
conducted by the University of Mumbai are
eligible for remission of sea services and certain exemptions in the
certificate of competency examinations.
After being awarded the
certificate of competency of second Mate (F.G.), such an officer is eligible to be
appointed as third
officer/second officer on board a merchant ship and draws a handsome salary.
For subsequent promotions, he has to render
further sea service to pass the higher examination namely First Mate (F.G.)
and Master (F.G.) entitles the officer to become
the Captain of a merchant ship. The competency examinations are conducted by
the Ministry of Surface Transport through
the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai.
Your
Personality Traits
On all ships, except some ferries, the ship is the crew’s home as well
as workplace for months at a stretch. Thus shipping
companies look for self-reliant people who have shown a spirit of adventure,
already done something positive with their lives
and demonstrated some capacity for leadership. Deck officers need
mathematical ability to enable them to cope with the
cargo handling and ship stability problems, together with high technology
bridge equipment. They must have common sense
to respond quickly to any emergency which may arise and adapt to changing
circumstances. Emotional stability,
perseverance and being a good "team player" are vital.
Are
You Eligible?
1. The selection for admission to the 3 years courses leading to a B. Sc
(Nautical Science) Degree at T. S. Chanakya, Navi
Mumbai and 4 year Marine Engineering Degree Course at Marine Engineering
& Research Institute (MERI), Calcutta for the
Session, commencing around August 2000 will be made through the Joint
Entrance Examination, 2000 to be conducted for
the IIT's on 2nd January 2000 and 7th May, 2000. The last date for receipt of
completed application form for IIT Zones is
13.9.1999 and candidates who desire to seek admission to TSC/MERI are advised
to submit the JEE form accordingly as per
instructions given in the separate advertisement issued for the IITs. There
will be no separate entrance examination for
admission to T. S. Chanakya or MERI during the year 2000. About 90 seats in
T. S. Chanakya and about 120 seats in Marine
Engineering & Research Institute, Calcutta are available. Of these 22
1/2% reserved (15% for SC and 7 1/2% for ST
candidates) subject to the availability of suitable candidates.
2. Even though the age
limit for admission to IIT JEE is slightly different, candidates seeking admission to T.
S. Chanakya /
MERI must not exceed the age limit of 20 years as on 1st October 2000. (that
is he/she must have been born on or after 1st
October 1980). The upper age limit for SC/ST candidates is 25 years that is
(he/she must have been born on or after 1st
October 1975). After applying to IIT for appearing in JEE 2000, the candidate
is required to submit a separate application to
the Directorate General of Shipping for admission to the above institutes.
Your
Preparation
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
atleast 35 percent marks. An entrance
examination is held for admission which assesses the candidates knowledge of
physics, chemistry and mathematics of the
plus two or equivalent standard. The entrance test has both objective and
subjective questions. The written test is followed by
a personal interview.
The students can also apply for becoming deck cadets after plus two or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry
and
mathematics.There is a written examination with a personal interview. After a minimum of three years on the job training
the
nauitical deck cadets can appear for the competency examinations which will
establish them in the cadre of navigating
officers.
Your
Institutes
TRAINING COURSES IN MARINE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
-Dr. Ramana’s Institute of Marine Electronic, 4, Shastri Park Bhagat Singh Road, New Delhi - 110
051
-Oceanic Institute of Marine Electronics, B - 39, Panchsheel Enclave, New Delhi - 17
-Hindustan Marine Electronics Institute, 2589 Phase I, Urban Estate Durgi Road, Ludhiana
-141 002
-Rajendra Institute of Marine Electronics, Jaipur - 15
-Hindustan
Marine Electronics Institute,
Rochipura, PO Saharanpur Road, Dehradun - 71
INSTITUTES OFFERING COURSES
FOR MARINE RADIO OFFICERS COURSE
*AMANA'S INSTITUTE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS
ADDRESS : Azeez
Centre (4th Floor), 623 Mount Road, (near Safire Theatre) Chennai -600016
*DR. RAMANA'S INSTITUTE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS
ADDRESS : 4,
Shastri Park (Bhagat Singh Road), Chandra Nagar, Delhi - 110051
* MARCOPOLO INSTITUTE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS
ADDRESS :
43, Wheeler Road, Cox Town, Bangalore - 560005
* INDIAN MARITIME COLLEGE
ADDRESS :
14-A, Masilamani Street, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600017
* MARCONI INSTITUTE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS
ADDRESS :
No. 8, Bagat Singh 2nd Street, Valandipalayam, Coimbatore - 641025 (TN)
* RAJENDRA INSTITUTE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS
ADDRESS :
C-104, Lal Kothi Scheme, (Near Jyoti Nagar MLA Flats) Jaipur - 15
* HINDUSTAN MARINE ELECTRONICS INSTITUTE
ADDRESS :
Bahman Wala Lane, Rochipura, P.O.Majra, Saharanpur Road, Dehradun -248171 (UP)
COURSE :
Training for Marine Radio Officers Certificate of Competency Examination (as second or
first class radio officer)
is conducted under the aegis of Wireless Advisor to
the Government of India, Wireless Planning and Coordination, Ministry
of Communications, Sardar Patel Bhawan, New
Delhi-110001
PRIVATE SHIPPING COMPANIES
Some private merchant shipping
companies recruit students after 10+2 as deck cadets (navigation) for training on board.
THE GREAT EASTERN SHIPPING COMPANY, LTD.
ADDRESS : Cadet
Academy (GESCO), C/O. T.S. Jawahar, Pilot Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai - 400005
COURSE : Deck Cadets
for training on board
THE SHIPPING
CORPORATION OF INDIA, LTD.
ADDRESS : 245,Madame
Cama Road, Mumbai - 400021
COURSE : Training as
nautical officers
BARBER SHIP MANAGEMENT, LTD.
ADDRESS : C/O.
Capt.V.K.Khanna, 433, Mandakini Enclave, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi - 19
COURSE : Deck Cadets
APEEJAY SURENDRA
OVERSEAS LTD.
ADDRESS : 3 Dinshaw
Wacha Road, Churchgate, Mumabi - 400020
COURSE : Deck Cadets
INDIAN OCEAN SHIP
MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD.
ADDRESS : Mumbai
COURSE : Deck Cadets
GARWARE SHIPPING
CORPORATION LTD.
ADDRESS : Express
Towers, 5th Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021
COURSE : Deck Cadets
Advanced Studies for Marine
Engineering is available at :
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, Andhra University, Waltair - 530003
- Madras
University, Madras - 600005
- Centre for
Advanced Studies and Research in Ocean Sciences and Technology, Mumbai University (Kalina Campus)
- National
Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula,
Goa
- Department
for Earth Sciences Studies, Thuruvikal,
P.O. Trivandrum - 695031
Your
Responsibilities
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 the conduct relating to sea
transportation.
Marine engineers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship's
main engines and auxiliary machinery and
the safety equipment.
Your
Working Conditions
A ship has been described as a floating village generating its own life
support system. The three main divisions are Deck,
Engine and Service departments. The deck department takes care of the
sailing/ navigation of the ship, maintenance,
communication, handling of the cargo, loading and unloading and sailing in
and out of the ports. The engine department has
engineers who work in the engine room and supervise its operation,
maintenance and repair. The service department takes
care of our well being with the food and catering department managing the
catering service for the crew and passengers and a
medical officer taking care of the health needs of the passengers and the
crew.
Your
Future Prospects
Present prospects are excellent. Promotion depends on a combination of length
of service and merit. To reach the most senior
positions, drive and determination are essential. Officers must obtain the
relevant certificate of competency awarded by the
Department of Transport.
Experienced officers often find their skills in demand ashore, in
administrative posts with shipping and oil companies and in
other posts where sea experience is relevant.
Your
Remuneration
In the Engineering field you are initially recruited as 5th Engineer. The
other hierarchies and approximate pay scales are as
follows :
Hierarchies Foreign shipping
lines approximate salaries
-5th Engineer Rs.20,000 p.m.
-4th Engineer Rs.25,000 p.m.
-3rd Engineer Rs.40,000 p.m.
-2nd Engineer Rs.80,000-.90,000 p.m.
-Chief Engineer Rs.1 lakh p.m.
The pay scales of Indian
shipping companies are approximately half that of foreign shipping companies in these
grades. In the
Navigation field you begin your career as a 3rd officer. The other grades are
as follows :
-2nd officer
-Chief officer
-Captain
Salaries are equivalent to the
Engineering branch. Promotions from one grade to another take place through examinations
held
every 2 years. Within 5-8 years you can reach the top level in either branch.
Foreign shipping company's salaries are tax free.
About 2 months leave is allowed with salaries plus air fare to and from the
place of destination. Some shipping companies
allow the officers to take their family with them. In addition to serving at
sea, there are more chances for the Engineering
branch personnel to get jobs onshore on a salary of Rs.5000 - 20,000 p.m.
than the nautical officers who serve mainly at sea.
Related
Occupations
Suggested
Readings
1. Lifeline : The Merchant Navy at War,
1939-1945 by Peter Elphick
2. Deep Sea Sparks Canadian Girl in the
Norwegian Merchant Navy by Carroll
3. Forecasts for Maritime Industries in 1989 :
Balancing National Security and Economic Considerations by
Harlan Ullman
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