10 Reasons Why a Career in

Merchant Navy is Unlike Any Other

By KaranC | In: Marine Careers | Last Updated on May 11, 2016

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A career in merchant navy is a unique blend of variety encompassed in a single

domain. By opting for a merchant navy career, individuals can combine a lot of
different facets and gain a lot of exposure which would be difficult to gain
otherwise. Detailed below is a list of 10 such points which make merchant navy
careers so singular and completely unlike any:

I. Lucrative Pay-Packages: A very big incentive for anyone to take up a

profession is the allure of pay-packages and salaries. The merchant navy offers
extremely high payment scales, even for fresh entrants in the profession, starting
at about US$ 1,500 and extending up to about US$ 2,000 on a monthly basis.
The payment scales are set as per the existing IMO (International Maritime
Organisation) and ILO (International Labour Organisation) laws.

Additionally, the salary in merchant navy also varies from company to company
and on the basis of the qualification and the position held by an individual.
 Photograph by Chief Engr. Robert S. Joaquin
II. Tax Benefits: Paying taxes is a responsibility that everyone is wary of.
However, people involved in the merchant marines are exempted from paying
taxes, if they meet the requirements necessary for exemption purposes. A
merchant marine professional has to spend a minimum of six months on-duty
aboard a vessel, following which the professional will be exempt from paying tax
for the specified financial year.

III. Destinations Galore: People involved in the merchant marines get to

experience exotic destinations across the whole world. And since jobs in
merchant navy require an individual to spend extended periods of time at sea,
there is no dearth of time when it comes to exploring these singular destinations.

IV. Confluence of Cultures: A professional involved in a merchant marine

career gets to meet and mingle with people of different cultures and nationalities.
This helps the individual to understand and function better as a team player and
learn the nuances of different cultures and traditions at the same time.

V. Enhances Professionalism: Working in the merchant navy enables

individuals to function better as a unit. Merchant mariners are required to possess
good communication skills and extreme resourcefulness, along with following and
maintaining high discipline. These qualities are further honed when a person
spends considerable amount of time functioning as a part of a novel team in the
high seas. A person not only evolves professionally but also personally while
working in merchant navy.

VI. Extensive Exposure: Merchant navy careers offer a lot of exposure to

unexpected events, situations and emergencies. By facing such unmitigated
events, professionals gain a widespread knowledge about dealing and facing
such problems, in the event of them arising again. The exposure one gets in this
field is unlike anywhere else and which helps a person to grow in every aspect.

VII. Inspiring Adventure: A career in merchant marines is like having

adventures on a day-to-day basis. It’s an adventurous life out there. Other routine
jobs, involve people having to spend nine hours in an office. This is not for people
who like nine-to-five jobs. Merchant mariners get to explore and view the
excellent oceanic vista for days on end which, acts as inspiration unlike any. Not
only this, the situations which one faces at sea provide experiences of utmost
adventurous types.

VIII. Less-demanding Qualifications: A career in merchant navy can be taken

up immediately after clearing the high school examinations with subjects like
physics and mathematics. For individuals who do not want to gain higher college
education or cannot do so because of certain reasons, taking up a merchant
marine career is the most feasible choice. Not only does it provide good pay but
also help in moulding a better career. Having said that, there are career in
merchant navy that requires high qualifications as well.

IX. Regulated life-style: Punctuality and discipline are two very important
qualities that a person gains through a merchant marine career. Since the oceans
are highly unpredictable, a seaman has to be highly cautious, focused and alert to
counter any eventuality, thereby reducing the repercussions substantially. These
two qualities are imbibed in maritime professionals right from their college
training. The professionals are expected to follow a strict disciplined lifestyle
according to navy rules and are also required to wear navy uniforms throughout
their careers. In case you are uniform fan, maritime career is an exciting option for
you.

X. Extended Vacations: Since the nature of the job requires long working
periods, the vacations offered to merchant marine professionals are equally
compensating. This enables these professionals to enjoy the best of both worlds
– land and water. A 2-4 months vacation is definitely long enough to unwind and
follow all your passions, isn’t it?

People with unbridled enthusiasm and zest for life can very well opt for a
merchant marine career. It would be satiating without the person ever
experiencing any regrets whatsoever in his profession of choice.
A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer
Ranks
By Anish | In: Marine Careers | Last Updated on January 11, 2017

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The field of merchant navy involves a certain order of hierarchy with the seafarers
holding different ranks on ships. This ranking system ensures smooth
coordination of on board operations and promotes proper management
strategies.

The nomenclature of merchant navy ranking system is universally accepted by

shipping companies and commercial vessels around the world. However, there
can be minor changes in names and duties assigned to specific positions
depending on the country to which the ship belongs.

In general, the ranking system on merchant vessels in mainly divided into

following categories:

1. Deck Department
2. Engine Department
3. Catering Department

The bridge of a vessel, also the navigation hub, is fitted with advanced machinery
systems. The ship must be handled by people possessing the required amount of
knowledge and skills for navigation. Seafarers under the deck department of the
ship are vested with the responsibility of managing ship navigation, along with
handling cargo gears and berthing instruments present on the deck of the ship.

Similarly, seafarers working in the ship’s engine room fall under the engine
department. This mainly include marine engineers and ratings responsible for
operation and maintenance of ship’s machinery.

The third department, or the catering department, is responsible for preparation of

meals and general housekeeping for crew and passengers. It is to note that in
general cargo ships, the catering department comprises of only 2-4 members,
whereas in passenger vessels there are several members/ranks in the catering
department depending on the size of the vessel and number of passengers.
A vessel thus requires a definite system of merchant navy ranks that would
enable the distribution of assignments in a professional and formal manner.

The Captain (or Master) of the ship is at the top of all the ranks, holds the highest
post of the ship’s crew, and is accountable to the owner of that ship. He shoulders
immense responsibilities and presides over the activities occurring on board. He
tackles serious issues and guides the crew to perform better. The Captain stays
in command of the vessel, all the time and he regulates the proper daily
transaction and handles the legal affairs of the maritime issues.

If a situation arises wherein the Captain is not on board, then automatically the
Chief Officer has to take over the Captain’s work and will act as the ship’s
executive officer.

Representation Image – Photograph by Jose Jacob

Merchant Navy Ranks

1. The Deck Department

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

Deck Rating

 Bosun
 Welder/Fitter
 Able Seaman (AB)
 Ordinary Seaman (OS)
 Trainee OS

Chief Officer / First Mate: Chief officer occupies the second responsible
position after the Captain of the vessel. He acts as the leader of the deck
department and mainly engages in the cargo affairs. He also supervises the
vessel’s crew and looks after the various deck operations. The Chief Mate
prioritizes the security and safe functioning of the vessel, and is concerned about
the welfare of crew and passengers (if passenger ships) on board. Additionally,
the correct working of the hull, the accommodation section, the cargo gearing, the
security appliances and the fire prevention equipment is managed by the Chief
Officer.

Second Officer/ Mate: He is the primary officer behind the navigational section of
the vessel (Navigation chart preparation and paperwork) and his designation
implies that he is third-in-command. His main responsibility is the standard 12-4
navigation watch duty.

Third Officer/ Mate: He is basically employed with the security measures on

board, and therefore is greatly answerable to the Captain for maintaining the
safety of the particular ship and its crew. After the captain, he is appointed as the
fourth-in-command. Usually, the Third Officer handles the standard 8-12 watch
duty.

Deck Cadet: The role of a deck cadet is quite important on ships as he can be
assistance to all the officers. He is basically new to the ship and is on ships for
the training purpose. Prior joining he has to undergo several courses to avoid
disasters and accidents on the vessel, along with knowledge on firefighting
equipment, first aid and other security measures. Special training is meted out to
the Deck Cadets under the maritime law, and they prove their worth in the
navigational section, besides dealing with the cargo. A newly appointed Deck
Cadet needs to report to the Chief Officer of the ship, from time to time. A Cadet
must observe and lend a helping hand, and try to gain as much of knowledge as
possible. His ineligibility for the “Certificate of Competency” award implies that he
has no permission to keep watch. He accompanies a senior officer while they
stand in watch, instead.
Bosun: Bosun takes care of the crew on the deck and also assist chief officer in
daily routines of the ships.

Able seaman: According to the modern nautical terminology, an able seaman

(AB) possesses a merchant mariner’s document and is eligible to assist the deck
department. Know more about the rank of Able Seaman here.

Ordinary seaman: The post of ordinary seaman, denoted by OS, serves the
vessel’s deck department. An OS is usually busy with tasks such as buffing,
scaling, cleaning the deck and occasionally painting the superstructure, above the
main deck. An ordinary seaman can undertake activities like overhauling, splicing
ropes, wiring, rigging, etc and conducting repair-work on the deck. It is the
Ordinary seaman’s job to ensure secure handling of cargo gears and loading or
dismantling cargo. He is directly associated with the proper launching and
recovering the ship’s lifeboats. Know more about Ordinary Seaman here.

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

Engine Room Rating

 Fitter
 Motorman
 Wiper
 Trainee Fitter / Trainee Wiper

Chief Engineer: Chief engineer is the head of the engineering department on a

vessel. The required qualification for this position is loosely referred to as the
“Chief’s Ticket”. Alternatively, he can also be alternatively termed as the “The
Chief” and usually draws the same payment as the Captain, although the
complete responsibility of a particular vessel falls solely on the Captain’s
shoulder. The Chief Engineer cannot take over the ship’s charge, unless such a
situation arises which has been documented under the safety measures. Chief
engineer gives orders for operation and maintenance of ship’s machinery system
and is responsible for the engine room department.

Second Engineer/ First Assistant Engineer: He is associated with the day-to-

day activities in the engine room, and he is accountable to the Chief Engineer. He
stays extremely busy most of the time on board, as he needs to constantly
supervise the proper functioning of all engine room machinery systems and also
assigns jobs to the other engine officers and crew. The Second Engineer
generally keeps watch on the engine room, during the day time.

Third engineer/ Second Assistant Engineer: This is the next position after the
Second Engineer, and is assigned jobs to look after machinery ordered by the
chief engineer, along with daily watch keeping. He reports to the second
engineer.

Fourth Engineer/ Third Assistant Engineer: This is the most junior rank in the
engineering department. The Fourth Engineer is concerned about the correct
working of the machinery systems assigned to him and also carry our watch
keeping. He reports to the second engineer.

Fifth Engineer/ Engineering Cadet: Fifth engineer is a trainee under the Second
Engineer officer, and he assists and learns while observing and carrying out
activities in the engine room. He would accompany a senior officer (mostly
second engineer) during the watch duty.

All the engine room ratings report to the second engineer.

3. The Catering Department

 Chief Cook
 Trainee Cook
 Steward

Chief Cook: Chief cook falls under the catering department of the ship. It is his
duty to prepare meals regularly for the crew and passengers. He is also in charge
of the food stores, and he can utilize or replenish them. The Chief Cook also
inspects the equipment needed to keep the ship clean and uncontaminated in the
galley area.

Trainee Cook: The trainee cook assists chief cook in preparation of meals and
managing provision.

Steward: The steward, as the name suggests,is assigned tasks include cooking
and serving meals on time, sweeping and maintaining the living quarters of the
officers, and stocktaking the stores. It is also the job of a steward to manage the
grocery accounts, planning menus, and documents the cost control issues.

It is to note that a galley on passenger ships would involve several other ranks as
well. Read here about galley jobs.
Merchant navy ranks might differ a bit depending on the country to which the ship
belongs and the shipping company. However, the basic hierarchy remains the
same as mentioned above.

The Profession of Ordinary Seaman

(OS) on Ship
By MI News Network | In: Marine Careers | Last Updated on May 11, 2016

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An ordinary seaman is the person who is assigned deck jobs as a trainee on
ships. Working and gaining experience as a trainee followed by a couple of years
as ordinary seaman allows an individual to get a promotion as an able seaman.
The profession of an ordinary seaman (mostly known as OS) allows a person to
work on the deck of a ship majorly.

The deck jobs include cleaning the ship, taking care of the paint-work, taking duty
of the helm of the ship and standing guard whenever the situation demands. The
difference between an ordinary seaman and an able seaman is the difference in
the pay that is given to them. The concept of first distinguishing and separating an
ordinary seaman from an able seaman came in the 18th century.
An ordinary seaman has the most menial jobs out of the entire category of
merchant marine jobs. But in spite of such routine and a lowly job description, it
has to be noted that an ordinary seaman’s profession is something that is well
appreciated and admired. Absence of an ordinary seaman would lead to absence
of hierarchy and dearth of a helping hand for other crew members.

Mandatory health tests are the primary requirement in case one wants to take up
seaman jobs like that of an ordinary seaman. This is because merchant marine
jobs like deck jobs require vigilance, alertness and complete physical fitness. In
addition to these requirements, an ordinary seaman is expected to be on-his-toes
round the clock in case any emergency and life-threatening situations crop up.
Also, if an ordinary seaman is not able to perform these duties properly it would
hamper his chances of getting chosen or qualified as an able seaman.

The average pay package for merchant marine jobs like that of an ordinary
seaman is around $1,700. This is neither very high nor very low, though it can be
said that the paying rate varies on the basis of shipping company, country to
which a shipping company belongs, and crew members. However, the pay rate
for an ordinary seaman is quite less when compared to that of an able seaman
which is why every person who is employed in seaman jobs as an ordinary
seaman makes every possible attempt to become an able seaman.