A Career for the Brave and Courageous on Waves
Merchant navy career is an attractive field for those who are brave enough to meet the challenges and dangers. This is one such career where on one hand there is a mystry of adventure and on the other hand their are great chances to travel all over the world and meet new people.
In this career, sometimes you are sitting in the middle of ship in the sea and sometimes you are searching ways of piercing the enemy’s tank. Their is a system of 2 types of appointments in Merchant Navy. Some candidates are kept on the basis of contract and some are selected through the exam organised by the Indian Government. People who have a little bit of work knowledge in the field of Merchant Navy, for them both type of options are available. They can work either permanently or can associate themselves with Merchant Navy on contract bases. There is enough wealth and adventure in this field. Young people who are interested in making a career in the field of Merchant Navy are expected to be quick decision maker, talented, and responsible.
Like soldiers in armed forces, workers of Merchant Navy have to be extra alert, careful and aware. A minute mistake or carelessness could be a reason for losses of valuable goods worth crores of rupees. This is not all, many a times one can loose his life also. Now-a-days, ships manufactured are provided with ultra modern facilities, which are not less than a five star hotel. How people spend their 8 hours on ships is unbelievable?
By looking at the facilities available to Merchant Navy, now water transport services has been started in a state like Uttar Pradesh. Though U.P. is neither a coastal state or nor there are favouarable conditions for a water transport, but in 1998 at the Ganga-Yamuna Sangam in Allahabad, an experiment merchandize ship transport was done by routing it through river, which was very well appreciated.
The process of offering a ship trade course in U.P. by the Transport Ministry, is in the final stages, so that the workers can be given training about exchange, import-export of business goods through river route.
Tradition of business by sea route is quite ancient. Stories related to it still excites people. Christopher Colombus and Vasco-de-Gama completed their historical discoveries through sea-voyages only. Today also in many countries sea-route is a major medium of their business. Today Merchant Navy has established itself in the area of modern sea science and information technology. There are many career opportunities available in Navy whether technical or non-technical. This is the favourite career of young people interested in meeting challenges and dangers.
Young people interested in making their career in Merchant Navy should be 10+2 with maths, physics and chemistry as subjects. Candidates should be physically and mentally healthy. For admission, candidate should not be more than 20 years according to 1st date of October of every calender year. This exam is conducted along with the exam of IIT, and the candidates who clear this exam are invited for physical test and interview.
Merchant Navy and Transport Ministry has taken the responsibility of providing trained people for business shipping. For this training is given by Ship Training Chanakya and Sea Engineering Research Institute, Kolkata. Ship Chanakya offers a 3 year B.Sc. “Nautical Science Course” whereas Sea Engineering Research Institute offers “Marine Engineering” a 4 years degree course.
Many training institutes have opened up for Merchant Navy. Tolani Education Foundation-Pune is one of them. This institute offers a 4 year Marine Engineering course. Candidates who are successful trainee are appointed as Co-associate in Institute of Engineers. Admission is granted to the candidates in this institute on the basis of educational eligibility, interview and group discussion. People trained in this field can be appointed as Navigating Officer, Marine Engineer or Trainer Cadet Officer.
Major Training Institute
- LBS Collge of AMAR, Bandra Road, Mumbai – 400033
- Marine Engineering Research Institute, P-19, Taratala Road, Kolkata – 700039
- Shipping Directorate, Ship Building, W.H. Marg, Mumbai-38
- Tamilnadu Maritime Academy, Tulukudo – 628001 (Tamilnadu)
- Tolani Marine Institute, Sharda Centre, Curvey Road, Jharandwane, Pune – 411004 (Maharashtra)
