Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy Coaching in Chandigarh

Indian merchant navy ships are operated by public and private sector shipping companies and manned by trained navigators, marine engineers and crews. The responsibility for training of personnel for the Indian merchant navy lies with Government of India functioning through the Ministry of Surface Transport. Training institutions under the direct administrative control of the Directorate General of Shipping have been established. Government maritime training ship ‘Chanakya,' Mumbai conducts a 3 year degree course leading to B.Sc in Nautical Sciences under the aegis of the University of Mumbai. The Directorate of Marine Engineering (DMET) Kolkata now known as Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI) imparts marine engineering education. These are two pre-sea training institutions for maritime education. Training ship ‘Chanakya' prepares cadets for the navigation discipline. The highest post of navigating officer is that of a Master of a ship. In the case of Marine engineer the highest post is of Chief Engineer.

Certificates of competency - Navigation

Navigating officers - For navigating officers it is important to obtain a certificate of competency under the rules and regulations in India relating to the examinations of Masters and Mates in the Mercantile Marine. The first certificate of competency for the Navigating Officer's who qualify from T.S. "Chanakya" is that of Second Mate (Foreign Going). After successful completion of three years degree course in Nautical Science on Training ship "Chanakya," the cadet officer is required to complete one year in the deck department on board a merchant ship before becoming eligible for grant of Second Mates (FG) 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 service and certain exemptions in the certificate of competency examinations.Second Mate Certificate of competency in the first exam for a cadet. It takes 8-10 months and students are given instruction in a nautical college for 3 months.After possession of the certificate of competency of Second Mate (FG) such an officer is eligible to be appointed as 3rd officer/2nd officer on board a merchant ship and draws a handsome salary. For subsequent promotion, he has to render further sea service (18 months as OIC NW) to pass the higher examination namely First Mate (Foreign Going) and a further sea service of 18 months as OICNW or 1 year as CM for Master (Foreign Going).
              After service of 18 months the merchant navy personnel is eligible for the combined First Mate/Master's Certificate of competency examination for which coaching is imparted for taking the exam. It takes 8-10 months. For the Master's Certificate of competency mariners have to complete 36 months of sea time after the 2nd Mates exam and minimum 12 months after 1st Mates exam. The certificate of competency as Master (FG) entitles the officer to become the Captain of a merchant ship. It normally taken 10-12 year to become a Captain. The competency examinations are conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport through the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai.

Training For Marine Engineers

Merchant Navy vessels recruit engineers who have undergone training with the Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI) or mechanical/electrical engineers directly. When marine engineers are recruited directly they get exempted from Class II Part A examination. Thereafter they can attempt class I Part A exam after 1 ½ years sea time and Class I Part B thereafter. Other requirements for recruitment are the same for directly recruited engineers except that they do not get Class II Part A exemption.On the marine engineering side, the lowest examination relates to the Second Class certificate of competency. Examinations are conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport in two parts ‘A' and ‘B'. Candidates of MERI in possession of Final Passing Out Certificates are exempted from Part A. Part B of the Second Class Certificate can be obtained after completion of the qualifying sea-service and after obtaining Part ‘A' of the certificate, unless exempted as in the case of MERI cadets. After completion of the training in MERI, a cadet is taken in as a Junior Engineer Officer on merchant navy ship.Subsequently, a Junior Engineer, subject to satisfactory service and passing of requisite examinations, is posted as a Third Engineer, Second Engineer and ultimately a Chief Engineer of a ship. Examinations for marine engineers are also conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport through the Director General Shipping, Mumbai. Rules relating to examinations in respect of navigating officers and marine engineers are contained in Merchant Shipping (Examination of Engineers/Masters and Mates in Merchant Navy) Rules, which are priced publications. Although Government undertakes no obligations to find employment for the trainees of T.S. Chanakya and MERI, the institutes do assist them in getting suitable employment with the India Shipping Companies.

Other entry routes into Engineering department

There are several other options to join the engine department. These are-

1. Apprenticeship from the naval dockyard/machinist coast guard/Indian Navy can enter on taking Part A of the Marine engineer Class IV exam. They can join as junior engineers.

2. ITI 2 year course with 50% can be followed by 4 months pre sea training for entry as Fitters and Petty officers.

3. BE Electrical/Electronic followed by 18 months training in approved marine workshops, basic safety courses and Part A of Marine Engineering Class IV exam can join the engine department. 

4. Diploma holder in Mechanical/Ship building/Electrical Marine engineering branches followed by 2 years marine workshop training, MEO Part A exam and basic safety courses join as junior engineers or can join 2 year trainee marine engineering course.

5. XII with PCM and English with 50% can enter through 4 year workshop training route with 60% marks in the Marine Engineering course. They undergo 3 year course at an approved institute and become associate members of the Institution of Engineers and join merchant vessels as junior engineers. They complete sea time and take relevant courses and give the Class IV Certificate of competency examination. 

6. Engineers from any discipline can do a one year marine engineering course from a training institution.

7. BE Ship building/Ship Architecture (4 yrs.) entitles candidates to join 2 year trainee marine engineering course. BE Mech/Ship Architecture with 50% can join 1 year trainee marine engineering course.

Home Trade Zone Mariners

These are merchant vessels sailing along the Indian Coast only. These are called Near Coastal Voyage (NCV) Navigation certification for ships (500 gross tonnage or more)is open to X class pass students, minimum age 18 years/18 months sea service as deck cadet/3 years as deck ratings each having performed watch keeping duties for at least 6 months under supervision of the Master or officer of the deck department who has a valid certificate of competency. After receiving the certificate, appointment is as watch keeping officer on home trade ships or offshore vessels. These personnel are eligible after completing the required educational sea service requirement to take Second Mate Exam of Foreign Going Vessels.

Mate of a Home trade Ship - After acquiring the certificate of competency as navigational watch keeping officer and completing 18 months sea service, training and assessment they are promoted as Mate on Home trade ship. To become Master of 500-3000 gross ton ships the certificate of competency as Mate of a home trade ship is required, 3 years sea service, completion of a ship management course, 90 days as Chief Mate or ship handling and maneuvering, simulator training and examination and assessment is required. Master of home trade ship can join a foreign going ship at the second mate level.

Entry Home Trade Zone - Marine Engineers

X certificate holders/Engine room ratings with watch keeping certificate/Navy rating (machinist)/Engine driver (sea going)/ITI (diesel mechanic) training/Dip in Mech/Electrical Engineering/marine fitters from workshops or dockyards can be recruited, Class IV Engineers on clearing the MEO Class IV (NCV) Certificate of Competency and the required sea service and the modular courses and on board training are also recruited. Further career progress is the same as for marine engineers.  

From Deck Cadet to Officer

Another route into merchant navy is through pre-sea training with private /or government training institutes. Students after completing 10+2 and pre-sea training are recruited as deck cadets on board private national or international ships. Deck cadets are apprentices who are trained for the profession under the supervision of senior officers. On completion of on board training and passing the required examination they get the final appointment. Again, it is not enough to be just appointed. Every promotion thereafter is after passing an exam, the first examination a deck cadet has to clear is the Third Mate's exam which is offered to cadets three years after joining a ship. This examination tests navigating skill and watch-keeping duties on board. Cadets normally study while on board the ship. They are on deck duty all the time and through this, they actually practice what they are expected to answer in the exam. Deck duty involves safe navigation of the ship, loading and discharging of cargo, safety, and observance of national and international codes. Engineering cadets work under senior officers in running and maintenance of the engine department. To become an officer a cadet has to clear the next exam, the Second Mate's exam to qualify to be an officer.

             The Chief Mate's exam is the crucial test of his career. This exam is composed of both an oral and written test. On clearing this exam the officer becomes a Chief Mate on board ship and is given independent command of his vessel. For a merchant naval officer this is the highest promotion. There is no specified age limit for achieving this promotion.The Mercantile Marine Board conducts promotional exams. The subjects included are Fire Fighting, First Aid, Survival at Sea and Communications tests. This exam is a requirement laid down by the International Maritime Safety Law. Every five years the service has a system of validation.

Ratings

Ratings have to obtain Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) watch keeping certificate and 6 months training on completion of pre-sea training. For taking the certificate ratings must have X pass (including Science & Maths), should be optimum 21 years of age, medically fit and most importantly must have 3 years sea service (6 months supervised watch keeping duties).

Medical Fitness - The certificate of medical fitness is issued by the company's doctor or by Merchant Marine Education and Research Trust (MMERT).

Career After BE in Marine Engineering

Marine engineering is all about research done in oceans and inland waters connected to the sea. It also encompasses construction and maintenance of ships, along with various other sailing vessels. To make a career in Marine Engineering, one can choose from BE Naval Architecture, BE Marine Engineering and BE Ocean Engineering.Naval Architects are responsible to look after basic ship design; this includes power requirements to structure and the entire stability of the ship.Ocean Engineering includes comprehensive study of the ocean environment. Under this, a student learns about effects of wear and tear due to corrosion and the bearing ocean would have on ships and other marine vehicles and structures. Ocean engineers also design and operate stationary ocean platforms, manned or remote-operated sub-surface vehicles for deep sea exploration.Marine Engineers are the members of the ship's crew and also in charge of managing a team of marine technicians and craftspeople. Job of a Marine Engineer rests completely on the ship's technical management. They select the ship's machinery, such as diesel engines, steam and gas turbines and chalk out the design of electrical, fluid, mechanical, and control systems throughout the vessel.

 

Eligibility

Students willing to take admissions in the four year B.E. in Marine Engineering program, must have done 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English.

Career Prospects

A BE in Marine Engineering can certainly assure you excellent job opportunities off shore. The remuneration is highly attractive and also fetches an NRI status. The best part about making a career in marine engineering is that it assures 100% placement.These days, marine engineers are also involved in big researches on renewable energy and underwater vehicle. If you want to pursue research work, you may want to go for a two-year M.E. in Marine Engineering program after graduation and can even proceed for Ph.D program after that.

Career in Marine Engineering:

Engineering is undoubtedly one of the most desirable and lucrative career options among the students, which will never lose its sheen. There are various branches in this sector like communication, computer science, genetics and various others.To add to the list is marine engineering. All those aiming to make it big as a Career in Marine Engineering, can remain assured of an exciting and thrilling journey. Marine engineering is all about research done in oceans and inland waters connected to the sea. Marine engineering also encompasses construction and maintenance of ships, along with various other sailing vessels.

Marine Engineering:

To make a career in Marine Engineering, one can choose from Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering and Ocean Engineering. Although inter related, these should not be confused with each other. Naval Architects are responsible to look after basic ship design; this includes power requirements to structure and the entire stability of the ship.Ocean Engineers on the other hand include comprehensive study of the ocean environment. Under this a student learns about effects of wear and tear due to corrosion, rusting and the bearing ocean would have on ships and other marine vehicles and structures. The ocean engineers are also responsible for designing and operating stationary ocean platforms, manned or remote-operated sub-surface vehicles. for deep sea exploration.

 Marine Engineers are the members of the ships' crew and also in charge of managing a team of marine technicians and craftspeople. Job of a Marine Engineer rests completely on the ships' technical management. Under this, students select the ships' machinery, such as diesel engines, steam and gas turbines. Apart from this, professionals chalk out the design of electrical, fluid, mechanical, and control systems throughout the vessel.

Duties of a Marine Engineer

• Maintaining and operating the engines
• Maintaining other infrastructural features of a vessel like
• Fixing Water systems
• Air conditioning
• Overall maintenance operation of the engine
• Periodic Power generation
• Construction, operations and maintenance of the engine room

Therefore, a Marine Engineer deals with the technical aspect of the ship. It can be easily said that they are in charge of the. With modernization and navigation becoming electronic the role of Marine Engineers has eased to a great extent. Apart from these technical jobs, Marine Engineers these days are involving themselves in big researches on renewable energy and underwater vehicle.

Colleges Offering Marine Engineering

In order to secure an illustrious career in marine engineering, students must take admission into good colleges. Some of these study institutes are as follows:

• Marine Engineering Research Institute, West Bengal
• Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Maharashtra
• International Marine Communication Centre, Tamil Nadu
• Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education & Training, Maharashtra
• Mohomed Sathak Engineering College, Tamil Nadu
• Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune
• Padmabhushan Vasantdada Patil Pratishthan's College of Engineering, Mumbai
• T.S. Chanakya, Karaus, Mumbai

Marine Engineering Programs

The candidate can get the admission through various entrance examinations, which are conducted between April and June. Also, different courses are available in Marine Engineering such as B.E., M.E. and Ph.D. It is full time 4 years course. For a 2 year M.E. in Marine Engineering, a candidate should be B.E. in Marine Engineering. The candidate who successfully completes M.E. course can proceed for Ph.D program.

Educational Qualification

Students willing to take admissions into marine engineering must have a four year B.E. in Marine Engineering as the basic educational qualification. For getting admission to B. E. in marine engineering, the eligibility required is 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English.This career will surely assure them excellent job opportunities off shore. The remuneration is highly attractive and also fetches one with an NRI status. The best part about making a career in marine engineering is that it assures 100 per cent placement rates

APPROVED TRAINING INSTITUTES FOR MERCHANT NAVY
http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/Content/ApprovedTraininginstitutes.aspx
 

LIST OF PRE-SEA MARITIME COURSES WITH ITS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & INSTITUTE FOR ENTRY INTO MERCHANT NAVY
http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/CMS/Documents/201403121224154720416list_eligibility_creteria_120314.pdf

PLACEMENT RECORD RANKING OF DIFFERENT INSTITUTE IN MERCHANT NAVY
http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/Content/PlacementRecords.aspx
 

LIST OF ADMITTED INTAKE OF PRE-SEA COURSES
http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/CMS/Documents/201403260111163941429trg_admitted_intake_260314.pdf