Career as a Merchant Navy Officer

Do you have goals of generating money and travelling the world?

What other job allows you to explore the world while getting hundreds of dollars sent into your bank account each month? You will not be able to find another career that offers you this lifestyle other than “the Merchant Navy”!

Read this comprehensive guide to understand a career as a merchant navy officer, ranks, salary, and much more

What does a Merchant Navy Officer do?

Officers typically work on the deck or engineering departments. While you’ll still be expected to work alongside your coworkers on practical duties, your primary responsibilities will be as a manager and leader. Your job is likely to be more managerial the bigger the ship. Other responsibilities include: 

In order to be a navigation or deck officer, you must:

• Navigate utilizing a variety of satellite and radar systems and equipment.
• Check the weather and navigation reports, then take the necessary action.
• arrange for the secure loading, storing, and unloading of goods
• control the care and safety of the passengers (if you work on a ferry or cruise ship)
• oversee the use and upkeep of the deck’s machinery, such as the winches and cranes.
• control the ship’s communications system
• track and maintain life-saving, firefighting, and safety equipment
• monitor the ship to guarantee that the highest standards of health and safety are upheld
• keep track of all necessary paperwork, including the ship’s log
• stay informed on changes in marine legal, commercial, and political issues.

In order to be an engineering officer, you must:

• Operate and keep the mechanical and electrical equipment on board in good working order.
• Control refrigeration plant, ventilation, and pumping systems as well as electricity generating and distribution systems.
• Systems and equipment, such as sewage plants, air compressors, and pumps, must be monitored, repaired, and upgraded.
• Create a program for routine equipment maintenance and inspections.

Job Titles of a Merchant Navy Officer

1. Deck Department

• Chief Officer/Mate
• Second Officer/Mate
• Third Officer/Mate
• Deck Cadets

2. The Engine Department

• Chief Engineer
• Second Engineer/First Assistant Engineer
• Third Engineer/ Second Assistant Engineer
• Fourth Engineer/ Third Assistant Engineer
• Fifth Engineer/ Engine Cadet
• Electrical Officer

Salary of Merchant Navy Officer a different stages

Merchant Navy Profile	Salary (INR)/ per month
GP Rating	25,000-60,000
Trainee Cadet	25,000-80,000
Deck Cadet	25,000-85,000
3rd/2nd Officer	1,50,000-3,00,000
Chief Officer	4,00,000-6,00,000
Captain	8,65,000-20,00,000

Skills required to become a Merchant Navy Officer

1. Leadership Skills
   These experts frequently have to make crucial decisions involving the cargo or the upkeep and safety of ships. Employers choose individuals that have strong leadership qualities since these qualities are exhibited by leaders, who are also self-assured, trustworthy, and have a positive attitude on all issues.

2. Communication Skills
   You have to collaborate with several teams remotely. Therefore, it’s crucial to convey the correct message and prevent misunderstandings. A valuable merchant navy skill is the ability to express your views clearly so that everyone can comprehend what you are saying.

3. Critical Thinking
   You can run into issues while at sea or while operating offshore. Therefore, in order to discover a workable solution, navy personnel need to be able to think critically. So, in order to solve the current problem logically, these officers must think properly and logically.

4. Teamwork
   A navy officer collaborates with an internal and external team to guarantee the cargo’s safe arrival. Employers look for people for these positions who can work well in a team. Additionally, a navy officer can collaborate with others to accomplish a goal by employing their talents in collaboration.

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Is Merchant Navy a good career?

• Young sailors are paid well in US dollars, which is significantly more than their counterparts in other businesses working offshore. From the beginning of your career, the majority of shipping companies provide excellent packages, incentives, and benefits that are on par with or better than those offered by any other sector of the global economy. 

• Long working hours are a requirement of the Merchant Navy trade, thus the vacations that are provided are equal parts compensatory. Long holidays are unquestionably a perk for seamen in the Merchant Navy. They choose whether or not to be available for the following contract. This enables seafarers to benefit from having the best of both the land and the sea.

• The opportunity to travel to various locations throughout the world makes this work incredibly adventurous. Without spending any money out of your own pocket, you could travel to practically any location on Earth. Other typical professions in various areas necessitate long hours of labour and little free time for travel.

Industries hiring Merchant Navy Officers

• Oil Companies
• Cargo Companies and Agencies
• Shipping Corporations
• Shipping Firms

Top companies hiring Merchant Navy Officers

• Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd
• Vishakapatnam Port
• Hede Navigation
• Poompuhar Shipping
• Apeejay Shipping 
• Varun Shipping Co Ltd
• Garware Offshore Services Ltd

Qualifications to become a Merchant Navy Officer

Degrees in India

After finishing Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as required subjects, you are eligible to apply for undergraduate Merchant Navy studies. Students who are interested in postgraduate courses in the merchant navy must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least a 50% cumulative grade point average or an equivalent CGPA.

The allowed age range is between 17 and 25.

Undergraduate courses after passing 12 in the science stream in India

• B.E./B.Tech. Marine Engineering
• B.Sc. Nautical Science
• Diploma in Nautical Science
• B.Sc. Maritime Science
• B.E./B.Tech. Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
• BBA in Shipping Management
• B.Sc. Ship Building and Repair

Degrees abroad

Due to the fact that working in the merchant navy may be done from anywhere, many universities offer training in this field abroad. If completing these classes online and being hired there appeals to you, go for it. You must have successfully completed class 10+2 with decent grades and a high GRE or IELTS score.

Some of the courses offered are Marine Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Certificate Maritime Programs, Marine Vocational, Maritime Law Program, and Marine Engineering. Depending on the program and the candidate you have selected, the training could last anywhere from six months to a year.

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References 

Books

• Ninety Percent of Everything
• Seized
• The Box
• The Shipping Man
• Freighter Captain

We hope you understand fully how to enter the most adventurous line of work and make millions over the long run!

That’s all from us guys! For more information, keep coming back.

FAQs about how to become a Merchant Navy officer