Hello Neha,

In merchant navy, catering is under the pre-sea training courses like-

-Certificate Course in Maritime Catering (CCMC)

-Orientation Course for Catering Personnel (OCCP)

After obtaining a degree or diploma in hospitality and hotel administration, or hotel management and catering technology or other such courses, you can apply for orientation and certificate courses from a reputed institute. In this way, you still have a chance of getting good jobs over land also.

The catering related jobs in Merchant ships are-

-General Steward

-2nd Cook/Trainee

-Chief cook/Chief Steward

The Saloon ratings (meaning steward or cook) are employed for the upkeeping 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 or Purser on board a Merchant Ship. Saloon Ratings are also in great demand in the Cruise shipping Industry.

Eligibility criteria for the certificate course in maritime catering (CCMC):

• Pass with aggregate 40% marks in 12th from Govt. recognized board English as subjects.

• Should be in the age group of 17.5 years to 25 years before entry in the training

• Minimum 40% in English in 10th or in 10+2. Minimum 50%in English if passed from vernacular medium

Eligibility criteria for Orientation Course for Catering Personnel (OCCP):

• Should be in the age group of 18-25 (in some 28) years

• Should have scored a minimum of 40% in English in 10th or 12th standard.

• Should have completed a Degree/Diploma in Hotel Administration, or Hotel Management and Catering Technology or Catering, Culinary Arts, or Hospitality and Tourism with minimum 6 months duration from a recognized and reputed Board or University.

Selection Procedure

Different colleges under Indian Maritime University have different criteria of selection, for example, HIMT, for orientation course takes an online test followed by a psychometric test, medical examination, and finally, panel interview. Hence, selection procedure varies for a course and college.

NOTE: -Medical examination is must (as happens in all courses of merchant navy).

Fee structure: -

Again, the fee structure is different for colleges. Generally, the orientation course has fees in between Rs.30,000- Rs.50,000. And certificate course in maritime catering has fees in between Rs.1,50,000-2,00,000.

Placement:

After completion of your course, you will be recruited by the merchant ships and various companies. Or you can apply independently too. For more information about a college’s placement record, you can refer the official IMU site which provides an annual ranking of colleges.

-Govt. of general shipping has tried to give students more scope in pre-sea services and if you work hard, you can definitely end up as in-charge of the catering department.

-If you have chosen a course of your interest, you can visit the official sites of colleges to check the schedule, exact fee structure and eligibility criteria, syllabus of the course etc. While choosing a college, it is recommended that you check their Approval status and Annual ranking.

Hope your queries are answered. If you still have some doubts, feel free to ask.

All the best for the future!