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Who is a Merchant Navy?
A ship in port is safe, but that’s not ships are built for ~ Grace Hopper
A merchant navy officer is a person who works on ships and other commercial vessels on the sea such as cargo, tankers, and passenger ships. A merchant navy officer oversees ships in transaction and ensures their safety and efficient working. An Individual who opts for a career in Merchant Navy can work as a deck officer, engineer, and ratings
In a career as a Merchant Navy, an individual is employed by commercial shipping companies to oversee the transportation of goods across continents and countries. Therefore, a career as a Merchant Navy officer along with his or her crew makes it possible to take goods from one place to the other.
Quick Facts for Merchant Navy
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a Merchant Navy officer is suitable for all genders. The Merchant Navy historically has been a bastion for men, but over the past few years, things have changed. With a change in gender roles and the breaking down of stereotypical barriers, women are now entering this field. Gradually, it is becoming a level playing field for both genders.
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Any special needs
No
A Merchant Navy officer requires a lot of physical and mental robustness, hence, those who are not physically fit or are specially-abled might not be up to the task. It requires strong eyesight and physical fitness to carry out an everyday task. A candidate with special needs would not be able to perform.
Table of Contents for Merchant Navy
What is the role of Merchant Navy?
A merchant navy officer is responsible for everyone's onboard compliance with rigorous health and safety guidelines, as well as monitoring and maintaining life-saving equipment such as firefighting equipment and life-saving boats. He or she maintains all legal and operational records of the ship, checks the weather, navigates reports, and takes appropriate actions.
The role of the Merchant Navy Officer is to oversee the entire machinery of the ship.
The job description of the Merchant Navy is coordination, which helps reduce disputes, rivalries, losses, delays, and other issues in an organisation.
He or she is responsible to check weather and navigation reports and take appropriate action.
Merchant Navy officers also manage the care and safety of passengers
Merchant Navy Officers supervise the operation and maintain the deck machinery such as winches and cranes.
As a Merchant Navy officer, one is also required to operate and maintain the mechanical and electrical equipment on board.
Types of a Merchant Navy
There are several types of merchant navy officers. They may vary depending on the roles and responsibilities fulfilled by them and the experience and specialisation a candidate holds. We have provided below two major types of merchant navy jobs after the 12th with varying titles and responsibilities.
Deck Officer: A deck officer is also known as a navigation officer. He or she is responsible for making decisions on steering and manoeuvring the ship, controlling navigation and communications. Operating in an executive body liable for ship navigation, strategizing and safe handling, communications, cargo handling, and delivery and the maintenance of all potentially life-saving equipment, a deck officer's position is crucial onboard a cargo ship.
Engineering Officer: An engineering officer is responsible to maintain the machinery of the entire ship or cruise. He or she oversees the operation of propulsion, fuel, and waste systems. Since the ship is made of steel and plies on saltwater, therefore it requires maintenance and time-to-time inspection.
What is the workplace/work environment of Merchant Navy like?
A merchant navy officer is responsible for working under harsh situations. At for certain locations the sea is rough and despite this, merchant navy officers have to work round the clock, to ensure that there is the timely and safe delivery of the cargo. There are good chances that the cold weather conditions can take a heavy toll on the physical conditions of a person.
Does Merchant Navy require travelling?
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as merchant navy in India are involved in transporting cargo from one place to another, hence there is a lot of travelling involved. In fact, merchant navy officers spend weeks and even months travelling around the globe transporting cargo. Merchant navy officers do dock at ports, but they do not necessarily leave the ship.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as merchant navy have a lot of time pressure is quite high in the profession. A merchant navy officer stays for months at a stretch on the ship. He or she working as merchant navy officers get a compensatory leave allowance for months.
How to become a Merchant Navy?
Steps to become a Merchant Navy
If you love to be around oceans and seas all the time and love to work in the marine field, then a career as a Merchant Navy is the best career option for you. If you are looking for the details of how to become a Merchant Navy in India, we have mentioned below the steps for how to become a Merchant Navy in India or how to become a Merchant Navy after 12th.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Merchant Navy?
How to join the merchant navy after the 12th? In the next section, we will discuss all the possible paths to how to become a merchant navy. We have mentioned below the required skills needed in merchant navy jobs after the 12th.
Leadership: Individuals who opt for a career as a merchant navy should possess good leadership skills, as one day, the officer will become the captain of the ship, and everyone will look up to him or her for taking important decisions and otherwise also. A good leader must be honest, delegate, confident, and should possess a positive outlook towards every problem.
Communication skills: Individuals who opt for a career as a merchant navy work with multiple teams off-shore. It is important to get the right message across so that there are no discrepancies in the future that might result in something unwanted. To make sure that everyone is on the same page effective communication is essential.
Critical thinking: While off-shore problems can arise without a moment’s notice, to steer out of the problem, it is important for a navy officer to have critical thinking skills. As a merchant navy officer, one must be able to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.
Decision-making skills: While sailing, there will be times when a person will have to make important decisions. Not delaying and taking the correct decision is important. One must be able to select between two or more alternatives to reach the best outcome in the shortest time. The willingness to make an informed decision and stick to that was the pillar of leadership qualities and knowledge.
Teamwork: In a career as a merchant navy, individuals not only work with their own team but also other teams to ensure the safe delivery of the cargo, hence, it is important for a merchant navy officer to be a good team player. As a merchant navy officer, one must be able to combine his or her skills and ideas with co-workers in pursuit of a goal.
Self Control: The life of a merchant navy officer can be rough, especially while sailing. The pressure is immense, hence, it is important for a merchant navy officer to have great self-control. One needs to be emotionally strong and have a sense of duty towards others as well to ensure their safety.
Physical strength: While at sea, a merchant navy officer will be exposed to the natural elements for a prolonged period. The body will take a lot of beating, and in order to sustain that, a merchant navy officer has to be physically fit. Just having the right grades and the passion to have a life at sea will not get one career in the Merchant navy.
Mental Strength: In a career as a merchant navy, individuals are sailing for a prolonged period of time, enduring the natural elements and the pressure of the job. This can continue for months at a stretch, also without seeing land. This can have an adverse effect on those who are mentally not strong enough.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Merchant Navy?
Internship Availability
In order to have a better understanding of a career as a merchant navy officer, it is always important to go for an internship. No matter how many practical learning experiences your college or university provides, you will get real-world experience by working with a company or an organisation. Internships are mandatory in the case of a job as a merchant navy officer.
Career Path Progression for Merchant Navy
What is the job outlook for Merchant Navy?
There is a lot of scope in the merchant navy. There is a huge demand for merchant navy careers around the world. In 2017, the employment count for the merchant navy increased from 1,54,349 to 2,08,799 depicting there’s a huge demand for Indian skills globally. The employment figures on foreign ships went up from 60,194 to 72,327 in 2018. India has created a large capacity in imparting classroom training for the merchant navy.
Frequently Asked Questions for Merchant Navy
Que. Is swimming compulsory for the Merchant Navy?
Ans.It is not compulsory that swimming must be to join the merchant navy. You must have completed your graduation in B.Sc (Nautical Science) or Marine Engineering from a recognized university.
Que. If family is allowed in the merchant navy?
Ans.Individuals who opt for a career as a merchant navy can take their family on board ship only if allowed by the company or when all the norms of the company are complied with. Here “family” for a married person means only the wife and kids and not parents.
Que. Is a merchant navy related to defence services?
Ans.No, the merchant navy is not related to defence services. A merchant navy officer works in the commercial sector of the maritime industry. They perform the shipping of cargo. The people across sea routes aboard cargo ships, tankers and cruise liners.
Que. Are Tattoos allowed in the Merchant Navy?
Ans.Merchant navy has no restrictions on tattoos and piercings. In fact, sailors are the pioneers of nautical tattoo culture. However, since the maritime academies implement high disciplinary standards and expect officers like qualities, they will be less than friendly to funky piercings and offensive tattoos.
Que. What are the top merchant navy colleges in India?
Ans.Top Merchant Navy Colleges areTolani Maritime Institute, PuneAMET, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, SIMS, Lonavala.
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Questions related to Merchant Navy
name the top most companies of merchant ships!!
Hello,
Here is the list of some top companies
• APM - MAERSK
• MSC - Mediterranean Shipping company
• COSCO - China ocean shipping company
• CMA CGM
• HAPAG - LLOYD
• ONE - One network express
• Evergreen line
• Yang ming marine transport
• Hyundau merchant marine
Thanks
Answer laterExplore Related Careers
Did you know?
Fact 3
Japan, Greece, and Germany are the biggest nations with the biggest Merchant Navy in terms of total deadweight tonnage
Fact 4
Around 33 per cent of ship professionals in the world have no means of communication while they are traveling and only 10 per cent have access to the internet
Fact 1
Merchant navy officers are exempted from giving income tax, provided they meet certain conditions
Fact 2
For several years the shipping industry is considered to be a male dominant force as only 2 per cent are women, seafarers
Fact 3
Japan, Greece, and Germany are the biggest nations with the biggest Merchant Navy in terms of total deadweight tonnage
Fact 4
Around 33 per cent of ship professionals in the world have no means of communication while they are traveling and only 10 per cent have access to the internet
Fact 1
Merchant navy officers are exempted from giving income tax, provided they meet certain conditions
Fact 2
For several years the shipping industry is considered to be a male dominant force as only 2 per cent are women, seafarers
