How Much Does an Indian Seafarer Officer Earn?

Lately, we have been receiving several inquiries regarding the salary structure of Indian sea-going professionals. People often ask us how much will I make if I join the merchant navy at the start, what would be my salary after five years, and what amount will I have in my bank account ten years from now if I work on Cargo ships? We rebuff all such questions!

First of all, it is important for every aspiring merchant navy professional to understand that the shipping industry is cyclical in nature. A cyclical nature in an industry means that there are boom and bust cycles (similar to the ‘bull’ or ‘bear’ terms for equity markets). A lot of the salary structure is decided by the cycle that the fiscal year is in. You cannot expect ridiculously high pays when there is an overall slowdown.

Secondly, causes leading up to the bust as well as commodities that govern it- for example oil. When the price of oil was high, freights were high, shipowners were earning higher fees and better salaries were being paid out. It is not that the salaries right now (since we are recovering from a major slowdown) are obscenely less, they are still very good, but they are still lesser than what they were. For example, a Third Mate could get up to $3200 before 2008; now it generally hovers around the $2000-2800 bracket.

Third is the concept of supply and demand. There was a time when Junior Officers were in very high demand but now owing to the springing up many institutes, that gap has been filled, increasing the demand for the senior officers. It is important to understand that shipping, an industry that drives the economy, is dependant on the economy too! Whatever affects the world economy ends up affecting the demand and supply chain and therefore, shipping.

It is very difficult to assess how much a person would earn while working in the merchant navy, for there are several aspects involved. Apart from the rank of the maritime professional, aspects such as the type of the ship, reputation of the company, and the person’s own ability to excel in the field play an important part in deciding what salary he or she takes home.

Needless to say, one;s experience in the field counts A LOT towards finding and keeping employment, demanding a fat salary and everything else that comes with it. Shipping is such a field that the experience weighs a lot for the simple fact that a person who has covered a type/many types of ship over and over again is more conversant with shipboard equipment and has honed his skills to a point where will obviously be in demand.

But as Marine Insight is here to help its readers, and considering the fact that it is difficult to provide a number for the salary of each rank, we came up with an idea of providing our readers with a “Salary Range” for each level in a Cargo Ship.

*The above table has been created on the basis of  a salary survey done on 100 seafarers of different ranks.

In order to have a successful career at sea, it is important you make the right decisions at the start. While starting off at a maritime institute, it is only natural to be confused with regards to what stream to choose for further studies, especially for those that do not have direct access to anyone from the industry.

Degrees or diplomas in nautical science or marine engineering are two ways in which one can get a job as an officer on merchant ships.

There have been instances wherein an individual has chosen one stream only to realise that it doesn’t suit their academic inclination or the prospects that they have for their career at sea, wanting to opt out of it or into another. It is therefore extremely important that one knows in advance what field they are going to pursue and what job they would be doing later on while on the ship.

So what is the difference between nautical science and marine engineering degrees? How would you know which one to choose and what to expect from that?

Difference between Marine Engineering and Nautical Science Degrees

Nautical Science

Choosing one’s career in nautical science prepares a person to become a deck officer. Nautical science is a three years course that results in an undergraduate degree or diploma after which the student joins a ship as trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet). After completing sufficient time at the sea (experience/sea time required as a deck cadet varies with the course pursued at the undergraduate level) and clearing required certificate of competency exams, the cadet becomes eligible to be employed as a navigating officer onboard a merchant ship. This first promotion comes with the designation of a Third Mate (or Junior Officer in some cases wherein the shipping company might require additional experience before becoming an OOW).

Theoretical and practical knowledge required for seamanship, chart work, collision prevention, navigation, bridge equipment & watchkeeping, cargo handling & stowage, ship stability, naval architecture (elementary), meteorology, marine signalling and ship maintenance and operation is imparted during the three years course among others, along with exposure to other areas that are necessary for managerial skills. Hands-on training is extremely important as a deck officer and thus detailed procedure and maintenance techniques of importance deck machinery is an integral part of this course.

Several modular courses that are required to join a ship are also included in the syllabus of nautical science which is mandatory as per the IMO STCW convention. At the very basic level, these courses are Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. An advanced version of these courses is to be completed prior to appearing for the certificate of competency examinations. These are short courses that range between 2-5 days.

Marine Engineering

Marine engineering is a field that deals with the engineering aspect of the maritime industry. Like any conventional engineering course, marine engineering is a four-year course which prepares an individual to become an engineer on ship.

What is the Difference between Nautical Science and Marine Engineering?

In order to have a successful career at sea, it is important you make the right decisions at the start. While starting off at a maritime institute, it is only natural to be confused with regards to what stream to choose for further studies, especially for those that do not have direct access to anyone from the industry.Degrees or diplomas in nautical science or marine engineering are two ways in which one can get a job as an officer on merchant ships.

There have been instances wherein an individual has chosen one stream only to realise that it doesn’t suit their academic inclination or the prospects that they have for their career at sea, wanting to opt out of it or into another. It is therefore extremely important that one knows in advance what field they are going to pursue and what job they would be doing later on while on the ship.

So what is the difference between nautical science and marine engineering degrees? How would you know which one to choose and what to expect from that?

Difference between Marine Engineering and Nautical Science Degrees

Nautical Science

Choosing one’s career in nautical science prepares a person to become a deck officer. Nautical science is a three years course that results in an undergraduate degree or diploma after which the student joins a ship as trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet). After completing sufficient time at the sea (experience/sea time required as a deck cadet varies with the course pursued at the undergraduate level) and clearing required certificate of competency exams, the cadet becomes eligible to be employed as a navigating officer onboard a merchant ship. This first promotion comes with the designation of a Third Mate (or Junior Officer in some cases wherein the shipping company might require additional experience before becoming an OOW).

Image for representation purpose only.

Theoretical and practical knowledge required for seamanship, chart work, collision prevention, navigation, bridge equipment & watchkeeping, cargo handling & stowage, ship stability, naval architecture (elementary), meteorology, marine signalling and ship maintenance and operation is imparted during the three years course among others, along with exposure to other areas that are necessary for managerial skills. Hands-on training is extremely important as a deck officer and thus detailed procedure and maintenance techniques of importance deck machinery is an integral part of this course.

Several modular courses that are required to join a ship are also included in the syllabus of nautical science which is mandatory as per the IMO STCW convention. At the very basic level, these courses are Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. An advanced version of these courses is to be completed prior to appearing for the certificate of competency examinations. These are short courses that range between 2-5 days.

Marine Engineering

Marine engineering is a field that deals with the engineering aspect of the maritime industry. Like any conventional engineering course, marine engineering is a four-year course which prepares an individual to become an engineer on ships.Marine engineering is all about machinery on ships, boats, yachts, or any sea going vessels. There are several other technical streams that sprout out from this field. The curriculum of the course focuses on teaching the specialized knowledge of both theoretical and practical marine and mechanical engineering. Greater importance is given to impart skills and competencies that are required to operate and maintain machinery on board ships.

Credits: depositphotos.com

The subjects taught in the first and second year of the course are almost the same as those taught in conventional mechanical engineering. The main aim is to introduce engineering sciences to the students and to make them understand the applications of those sciences in various aspects of marine engineering.

The third and fourth years are totally dedicated to imparting marine technical knowledge. Both theoretical and practical aspects of marine machinery are covered with a special focus on ship’s operation and maintenance of marine machinery. Practical knowledge through laboratory and workshop training is provided throughout the four years of the program so that students get hands-on knowledge of dismantling and maintenance of machines on ships.

Upon completion of the course at the Institute, the engineer cadet has to spend the requisite time at sea to gather experience which is mandatory to appear for the engineering certificate of competency examinations. Clearing these exams results in obtaining the compulsory ‘ticket’ to be a certified engineer officer on board.

Both streams have their niche subjects and require a genuine interest from the side of the candidate to successfully complete the shore based aspect as well as to become a skilled officer in the future. Every merchant navy aspirant must do thorough research on the stream they would wish to pursue in the future to ensure that the interest in the studies and the field never wanes.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Merchant Navy Zone. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Merchant Navy Zone do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks.

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. Being a line of work that requires a very high degree of professionalism wherein lax performance can result in drastic consequences, the hierarchy is essential to an economically viable model for shipboard operations with a shore based support framework.

The nomenclature of merchant navy ranking system is universally accepted by shipping companies and commercial vessels around the world. The ranks and responsibilities that come with it are somewhat similar across the whole industry with minor changes in names and duties assigned to specific positions varying among shipping companies and the system of nomenclature they follow. As mentioned above, essentially it is almost all the same.

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 is a hub that is fitted with critical equipment for the safe navigation and watchkeeping of the merchant ship. Owing to the advanced and specific nature of the bridge equipment, a requisite skill set is imperative for an individual to control all the equipment and thereby safely navigate the ship. Seafarers under the deck department of the ship are vested with the responsibility of managing ship navigation, along with handling cargo operations and berthing instruments present on the deck of the ship.

Related Reading:

• 10 Important Jobs Deck Cadets Have To Perform On board Ships

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 engine room houses the part of the ship that fuels/propels the vessel altogether and needless to say, a specific set of skills is essential to the engine room personnel as well.

Related Reading:

• What are the Responsibilities of Chief Engineer Under SOLAS?

The third department, or the catering department, is responsible for preparation of meals and general housekeeping for crew and passengers. The number of people employed in this department (which is under the purview of the Master, as with everything else) varies among ships and obviously, a passenger ship will have far more catering staff than a cargo ship owing to the number of people that need to be serviced.

A vessel thus requires a definite system of merchant navy ranks that would enable the distribution of assignments in a professional and formal manner.

Merchant Navy Ranks 

The Captain

The Captain (or Master) of the ship is the final authority of the ship and is the highest rank that one can achieve onboard. He shoulders total responsibility and oversees all shipboard operations. The Captain is in command of a merchant ship at all times and regulates the proper daily transactions and handles the legal affairs on maritime issues. In the unlikely event that the Master is not present on board, the Chief Mate is assumed to be interim in charge for shipboard operations.

The Deck Department 

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

Deck Rating (non-officers) 

• Bosun (head of the rating staff)
• Welder/Fitter (this rank onboard renders his services to both the deck as well as the engine department)
• Able Bodied 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 is the executive head of the deck department and executes the order of the Master at the operational level (although the rank itself is a more managerial position). He supervises the vessel’s crew and looks after the various deck operations which include, but not limited to the daily ongoings of the deck as per the work schedule as well as the cargo operations to be carried out while in port.

Related Reading:

• What are the Duties of Chief Officer?

The Chief Mate prioritises the security and safe functioning of the vessel and is responsible for the welfare of crew and passengers (if on a passenger ship) 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. Chief among all of his duties is the safe navigation of the ship for which he is an OOW for the navigational watches between 0400-0800 hrs and 1600-2000 hrs. Already burdened with a lot of work in port, the Chief Mate usually does not keep port watches as he is constantly overseeing the cargo work.

Representation Image – Photograph by Jose Jacob

Second Officer/ Mate: The 2nd Mate is an OOW responsible for the charts & publications on board and their maintenance. Also, he is the medical officer onboard responsible for the upkeep and administering of all medically related services onboard. Being an OOW, the navigational watch timings for him are 1200-1600 hrs and 0000-0400 hrs while at sea. In port, his watches are from 1200-1800 hrs and 0000-0600 hrs

Third Officer/ Mate: The 3rd Mate is in charge of all the LSA and FFA onboard and is assigned the duty to upkeep and maintain them onboard. Apart from that, he has to handle all the port documents for use by the Master along with handling the bond store onboard. Being an OOW, the navigational watch timings for him are 0800-1200 hrs and 2000-0000 hrs while at sea. In port, his watches are from 0600-1200 hrs and 1800-0000 hrs

Deck Cadet: The deck cadet is the trainee officer onboard, fresh out of the Institute. His sole job is to learn, comprehend and apply skills for the process of becoming a skilled officer in the future. Being a fresh candidate, a cadet is assigned tasks that give him a gradual understanding of the ship and her ongoings which come to use when preparing for the “Certificate of Competency” examinations to assume responsibility as an OOW in the future. Aside from the deck work that he needs to grasp, the major chunk of a cadets learning pertains to assisting an OOW in carrying out a safe navigational watch

Bosun: Bosun is the head of the ratings division on deck and carries out the scheduled work on deck in liaison with the Chief Mate

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 an 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 conduct repair work on the deck. It is the Ordinary seaman’s job to ensure secure handling of cargo gears and loading or dismantling cargo as directed by the Bosun/Chief Mate. A trainee OS is like a cadet but for the ratings section. Know more about Ordinary Seaman here.  

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:  ChiefEngineerr 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 similar pay as compared to the Captain, although the complete responsibility of a particular vessel falls solely on the Captain’s shoulder. Chief engineer gives orders for operation and maintenance of ship’s machinery system and is responsible for the engine room department.

Image Credits: Jane McIvor – Youtube

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. Duties include constantly supervising 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

Also Read: Duties of 2nd Engineer on Ship

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.

Also Read:  Duties of a 4th Engineer on a Ship

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. The engineering cadet spends his time onboard with the chief objective of learning the requisite skills to becoming a competent engineering officer in the future (by clearing the requisite “Certificate Of Competency examinations to obtain the license to be a certified engineer)

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. The Chief Cook assists the Third Mate/Cadet in preparing the requisition for any/every food items to be forwarded to the company HQ to be procured onboard. The Chief Cook also inspects the equipment needed to keep the ship clean and uncontaminated in the galley area.

Image Credits: Teekay Corporation – Youtube

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 .

It is important to remember that while the shipboard hierarchy is almost the same across the industry, variations might exist depending on the nomenclature system followed in a specific company as well as the type of ship in question. Having said that, the above gives a robust idea to the reader as to the existing norms with regard to the hierarchy in every department of merchant ships.

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Deck Department Vs. Engine Department

For those that are initially joining the merchant navy, there is always a great deal of confusion with regard to the various departments on the ship and which one to choose. Although each and every person contributes to the overall smooth functioning of the vessel, the two departments are demarcated as per the responsibilities that go with them. While there is no specific answer as to which one is ‘better’, it is important to know which department suits one better in terms of career progression as well as career prospects outside of the merchant navy (if that is the long term goal for the individual).While in the process of choosing which course to pursue at an institute and deciding between engine and deck departments, we ask students to keep these five things in mind before joining merchant navy. In relation to understanding both the aspects better it is also necessary for prospective students to understand the difference between Nautical Science and Marine Engineering. At the very base level, students who choose to pursue ‘Nautical Science’ end up choosing the path of a deck officer while those that choose ‘Marine Engineering’ end up choosing the path of an engineer onboard.

While the smooth operation of a ship is intricately entwined in a team effort, each department comes with the essential skill set that is applied once the candidate joins a ship as engineer cadet or a deck cadet.  Knowing about various subjects one has to learn in each of these streams helps to get rid of most of the doubts involved with deciding between the two departments.

To make this write-up more comprehensive, the career progression for a deck officer is as follows (in ascending order):

Deck Cadet – Third Officer – Second Officer – Chief Officer – Master/Captain.

That for the engineer officer is as follows:

Engineer Cadet – Fourth Engineer – Third Engineer – Second Engineer – Chief Engineer.

While this is the general career progression, different companies have different designations; for example, many companies nowadays have an additional/junior third officer as a rank that is an interim rank towards becoming a third officer.

A career in merchant navy is unlike any other career and every person planning a career in the same would know about it. In case you don’t, read them here –Reasons as to why a career in merchant navy is unlike any other.

People confused between engine and deck sides, often have queries regarding the following aspects:

1. Salary structure (difference between salaries of both the departments)
2. Job profile
3. Future prospects
4. Placement and job availability
5. Availability of shore jobs – Some people even think about the prospect and availability of shore jobs once they have worked for certain years on ships and wish to pursue other interests

Let’s look at each aspect individually.

Salary Structure

The salary structure of both engine and deck departments is almost the same. While there were some differences earlier with regard to salaries, both departments have commensurate salaries in relation to their rank on board.  This means that officers at corresponding rank in both the departments earn almost equally, that is to say, that the Chief Engineer and the Master have almost similar salaries (sometimes the Master has a higher pay but nothing too significant in terms of the difference). The article on the average range of salaries of officers on ships would help to resolve the doubt.

Job Profile

Though the job profile and nature of duties of officers in both the department are different, at the end it an individual’s choice as to what side to choose. It is duly important to note that the Master is eventually the ultimate authority on the ship and all work onboard has to be under his purview.

It is not possible to thoroughly compare both job profiles as deck officers are navigating officers with a different skillset while the engineering officers have a different skill set. As mentioned before, the smooth operation of the ship is entirely dependant on the harmony between the two departments wherein the every person does the work assigned to him without being too nosy about another’s assigned task!

The Chief engineer has officers under him to maintain all the workings in the engine room and other associated work whereas the Chief Officer (under the complete purview of the Master) ensures the safe navigation and cargo operation of the vessel. Both departments are ultimately answerable to the Master as the Master has the final word.

Work profile in both engine and deck departments is challenging and rewarding. It’s the person’s prerogative to decide between engine side and navigation side.

Future Prospects

A ship cannot run without engine officers and/or deck officers. The engineers are experts with the engine and the navigating officers handle their area of expertise with regards to safe navigation and cargo operation. Thus the need for both the type of officers will always be there (unless they come up with totally unmanned ships; even, in this case, there will always be a human element involved that can never be totally negated). Both the sides have bright and respectable futures.

Placement and Job market

This is one aspect which bothers the most especially to those who are just entering the field. Though there are several reasons because of which deck cadets and junior marine engineers are not getting jobs, the situation can be expected to improve soon. Shipping is very well known to be a cyclical industry with boom and bust cycles depending upon the existing status of the economy and industrialisation in the world. With the boom comes more trade, more ships and more jobs and corresponding to the bust is a downturn in the shipping industry with lesser jobs, pay cuts etc.

However, it is to note that employment problems are prominent in every field at the starting level and it’s the same with merchant navy as well.

Officers of higher ranks from both engine and deck departments are always in demand in accordance with the expertise they come with.

Onshore Opportunities

For those who also consider on shore job, prospects must note that there are several opportunities on shore for merchant navy officers.

Experienced marine engineers and deck officers can get jobs in the management department of shipping companies which includes operations manager, ship broker, chartering department, Manning department etc

Marine engineers can take up shore based jobs as teachers at institutes, Design/Seismic/Maintenance Engineers. They can also take up the job of trainee surveyors. By default of the precise level of work carried out by them on ship which includes handling mega engines, boilers etc. their demand on shore is also very good (for example, luxury hotels hire many engineers from the merchant navy to handle their machinery with attractive pay commensurate to pay on shore)

Nautical officers, as well as marine engineers, are also required in Chartering / Ship Brokerage firms. Masters are in great demand for teaching jobs at institutes.

However, it is advisable to sail for certain years and have a good amount of experience before shifting to shore jobs.

Those who are interested in future studies can do an MBA in Shipping and improve their job options on shore. It is widely known that MBA candidates with a merchant navy background automatically have a profile that stands out; this is not a very common job and there is always an ‘added interest’ or ‘intrigue’ component from the admissions committee when they realise the extent of responsibility that comes with being an officer onboard (handling a multi million dollar ship with a billion dollar worth cargo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea!). Owing to the sheer level of work carried out onboard, shippies are often accepted into some of the best MBA schools around the world, sometimes even with a low GMAT score which is compensated for by their work experience.

Thus, a career in both engine and deck department is a rewarding and challenging one. At the end, it is up to the individual to decide what he or she is more passionate and interested about. While both contribute equally to the safe operation of a vessel, each has their own specialised area of study and the same applies on the job. It is a matter of personal preference as to which holds a greater degree of attraction for the candidate.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Merchant Navy Zone(MN-Z ).

Equator Crossing Ceremony: The Real Test Of Seafarers

I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. As is with all cadets, sleep is the all-engulfing element that overpowers the necessity to change one’s boiler suit and go in for a shower! Obviously enough, my urge to sleep took the better of me and I dozed off for I would have to go and assist the Chief Mate in is watch in a few hours. Little did I know what was to happen!

It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. It is therefore no wonder that the shore folk are appalled and excited at the same time when the ceremony is told to them in detail. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailor’s first time crossing of the equator. It is a memory that is etched into each and every seafarer, for it is an event that ushers in a sense of belonging to one’s profession. The excitement and enthusiasm that prevails among fellow shipmates at the time of conducting the line-crossing ceremony that beams of a happy past experience of the same and that of passing on the baton of the art of sailing to newbies.

behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks  (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who haven’t are called Pollywogs. The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the “ancient mysteries of the deep”! Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic.King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas and this entire shindig is orchestrated to appease the King by showing Him respect, to keep a sailor away from the perils of the sea and to bring good luck. One of the men onboard are made to dress up as King Neptune, with the Trident scepter in hand and a crown for the glorious head! Beside him is seated his wife, Queen Amphitrite and they’re both surrounded by a few more (including a Davy Jones impersonator) to replicate a royal proceeding.The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! Following the dip, raw eggs are broken onto the heads of the first timers and then they are made to drink a deadly concoction of beer, chilly sauce, raw eggs etc. The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! Then the heads are shaved in the most uneven manner possible (no historical reasoning for it, but personally judging, it is most likely to do with a purging process) and paint is applied at random all over the body (privates aside!).Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. However, the essence of it will remain the same. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. Following this aspect of the grand event, the sailors are tied together and marched forward to the anchor with the sound of a drum to coordinate movement.

Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. This said, the party doesn’t end here! A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed “Equator Crossing Certificate” is handed out to seal the ritual’s authenticity forever.

For the coming days, it is very easy to spot the sailors that have recently been through the ordeal, for their hair is either absolutely absent or styled as if rats had a feeding frenzy on them!

As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. It is these little gems that bind us seafarers together in work and spirit and give us the inner strength to carry forward inspire rough seas and long periods away from home. The glimmer in the eyes of those that have already experienced it, telling you to live every moment of it, for it is never to happen again, is priceless. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come!

Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Merchant Navy Zone (MN-Z) do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Merchant Navy Zone (MN-Z )

Over to you..

Have you been through this ceremony?

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What Others Say About Merchant Navy

Life in the merchant navy isn’t easy. Several months away from home, often in rough weather, battling the forces of nature can take its toll on any professional. Which is why many marine engineers and merchant navy officers choose to leave the field and look for shore jobs are relatively more grounded.Now think about how many female professionals you’ve seen in this field. Probably none. It’s a male-dominated industry that most girls would stay away from. That’s what makes Jannat’s story special. Not just because she had to do what everyone else around her had to (including the physically demanding tasks), but also deal with the additional burden of having to prove to her less-than-sympathetic bosses and colleagues that she was in no way less than any other crew member on the ship.But that didn’t take away any of her creativity and enthusiasm, as we realised while working together on her MBA applications.
Tough life as the only female marine engineer on the ship
I was a marine engineer in the merchant navy and had been sailing for a little more than three years. My job onboard ships mainly involved taking care of any and all sorts of machinery onboard. I along with other engineers would handle the routine maintenance and carry out the breakdown maintenance when needed.Shipping is essentially a male-dominated field and most of the times I would be the only female onboard. All through the four years I spent in a marine engineering college and then the three years out at sea, I had been in an environment where the gender ratio was 100:1.Such circumstances forced me to learn how to fight for myself and accept the hard truth that I would have to always prove myself and probably work harder than my male counterparts if I was to have their respect.On my very first ship I worked as a trainee under a senior engineer who was not very accepting of women out at sea and more so in the engine room. He would deliberately assign me jobs that would test my physical strength, one of which was test the tightness of engine foundation bolts.This job is difficult because there are approximately 100 such bolts and each has to opened using a hydraulic jack because they are big in size and have been tightened to very high pressure. What makes the job even more challenging is that the bolts are situated at the lowermost part of the engine, so the place is really cramped and its extremely hot (since the engine was running).We were crossing the Red Sea and it was summer time, and I remember wondering how I was going to finish the task. But that was all I thought, ‘how I would finish it’ not ‘whether I would finish it’. Once I finished it, the senior engineer was pleasantly surprised.On each ship since then, it takes the crew a little time to accept me as a part of their team but I try and take it the positive sense. It just makes me work harder and better, and eventually it all always works out just fine.

Things To Kept In Mind Before Joining Merchant Navy

 Things to Keep in Mind Before Joining Merchant Navy/Planning to join merchant navy

Merchant Navy is a unique career choice, but then there are certain things that you should consider before making it your career. The list of why merchant marine is a very good career option (or not so good one),  is very long but with the help of these top eight points, knowing why to opt for marine careers and what to look out for before joining merchant navy will become genuinely easy.

1. Right Qualification:As with most professions, the right qualifications are necessary for this job
too. Owing to the specialized nature of the work on board ship, it is mandatory to have the right skillset for this line of work as well. Respective streams for respective work on board require a very focused skill set to be applied practically. Therefore, the right institute is also to be taken into consideration as there are many to choose from. Different countries have their own merchant navy rules and academies so it becomes necessary to enroll in the appropriate Institute as required by the nation’s merchant marine laws to get the required qualifications.

2. Choose the Right Job: As mentioned above, the right stream must be chosen by an individual commensurate with his interest in that specific area of study followed by work. Merchant marine offers a lot of job options – from technical to non-technical professionals. Radio officers, captains,able-bodied seaman, chefs,first mate and second mate are the kind of jobs that are available to the interested people. You are the best judge of your capabilities, so choose your stream accordingly. Some positions come with high responsibilities and you should be ready to deliver your best.
3. Health and Fitness:The sea tests human endurance, both physically and mentally. It is important to be fit physically as well as to have the right mental constitution to be prepared for any situation onboard. You wouldn’t be selected if you are not fit. Since the merchant navy men have to be on the water for a major portion of the year, their health and fitness become a major concern. Fitness is an aspect that not only pertains to an individual but also the others on board ship; seeing as all work on board is team work and one job affects another. Therefore, lax performance in one area can put the other areas to risk. Safety being of paramount importance, it is not prudent to have unfit people on board. Do note that health and physical fitness tests are carried out at regular intervals of time. They are conducted every time before boarding the ship and if any complication arises, the candidate will not be allowed to join the ship. Passing the test during the time for admission in the course does not ensure you are fit for sea life. There are some tests which are carried in between the course (hearing compatibility test etc.) which if failed will lead to termination of the course.
4. Almost Negligible Social Life :The fourth aspect involved is about the amount of time spent offshore. If you are a social animal who likes to mingle with friends on every opportunity you can find, then better stay away from Merchant navy. The life at sea is a lonely one and takes a toll on your social life; some prefer it and some don’t- whoever tells you otherwise is lying outright. With the extent of work and lack of free time to pursue social interests, ship life can get quite hard for a person.Modern ships have internet and satellite phones which virtually reduce the distance from friends and family; however, it is no replacement for the usual social life on shore and more than that, the work leaves little to no room to engage in long conversations over the phone! It is also prudent to remember that this aspect is more than negated by the all the new places that one gets to discover (subject to time available). If the person is adventurous, then the time period could go to the person’s advantage but if the person has a shy personality and needs emotional anchorage from friends and family then marine careers could be disadvantageous as it could lead to homesickness and unnecessary problems due to the person’s inability to adjust to the job.
5. Personality and Attitude :Seeing the same lot of people over months can automatically harbor resentment within an individual; if not resentment, then plain boredom! Men of strong mental constitution tend to keep it together throughout their contract by having a positive personality with the right attitude towards the work at hand as well the people he’s working with. Being a part of the merchant navy will allow a person to not only meet new people but learn lots of new things about different cultures.If you feel you are not the kind of person, who can compartmentalize his or her mind, then better give this career a miss. This is why it becomes important before joining merchant navy to know what type of a person one is and whether merchant navy will suit the person or not. Have some time to yourself and then decide.
6. Job surety and high income:Opportunities on shore have increased many times over for merchant navy professionals who are willing to put in the time. While the power/command and the pay on board cannot be met fully on shore while starting out, putting in the years on shore or starting the right business can garner equal or sometimes, even more income than at sea.  As far as seafaring jobs go, with the cyclical nature of the shipping industry, we are in the bust cycle at this stage.
7. Tax-Free Income:Most of the amateur seafarers remain confused about the taxation system for the income earned, which leads to non-filing of tax returns. The income earned on a foreign going vessel, seafarer may not always be tax-free (a general assumption). You need to complete the required sea time in a financial year to claim a tax-free income else you will be considered under the tax slab for paying the income tax as stated by the government of the country. For example, for Indian citizens, the tax earned on income earned from a foreign country is not taxable is the individual remains outside of the country for more than 183 days. the moment which has caused a slowdown in jobs and recruitment; there is job crunch in the seafaring industry especially at the entry level (junior officers).Candidates who cleared the required courses are finding it difficult to get a ship for completing their sea-time and training so that they can appear for competency exam to become officers. A qualified seafarer past his training phase on board gets paid rather well but the initial stages are hard (for deck/engine cadets and trainee ratings). The entry level candidates earn as much as any land job person, and hence it is only when you pass the exam and have a COC, then you get a good salary flowing into your account.
8. Family onboard :It is natural to want to have family on board. A merchant navy officer can take his/her 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. Parents are not allowed to go along with the seafarers. An entry level officer will have a lesser chance to carry his immediate family than a management level officer, which again depends on the number of supernumeraries (family members) already present on a ship and the life boat capacity. Sometimes, the trading route also determines if family carriage will be allowed. For example, in HRA areas such as when passing the Gulf Of Aden, the family carriage is not advisable.Apart from all these points, it is also necessary that an applicant who wants to join marine careers does not have any past criminal record. If a person does have any such record, then he or she will not be eligible to join merchant marine.

News Of Merchant Navy

India's First Female Merchant Navy Captain Wins International Bravery Award

Captain Radhika Menon received her medal and certificate of commendation at an awards ceremony at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) headquarters here last evening."I am honoured and humbled with this great honour for me and my team. It is a seafarer's duty to help souls in distress and I did my duty. Seafaring is a noble profession which contributes massively to world trade and economy as well as cultural integration. It does not always get the recognition it deserves," said Captain Menon in her acceptance speech.Ms Menon, who was nominated by the Indian government, became the first woman to receive the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, an annual award established by IMO to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery.

Merchant Navy Officer Goes Missing Mysteriously From Ship Near Somalia. 

Bhopal: The accumulated stress of the past few days have been just too much for 55-year-old Sarla Yadav to handle. Her youngest son, Sandeep, who is a trainee officer in the merchant navy, has been missing since March 2.

Sandeep Yadav sailed with other crew members on MT Jag Pushpa, the vessel which was transporting oil and chemicals from Vadinar in Gujarat to Maputo in Mozambique, on February 22. With mystery surrounding his disappearance, Mr Yadav's family in Bhopal now suspects foul play. Amit Kumar, his brother-in-law, said, "The captain of the ship, Sandeep's room partner and other crew members seems to have been briefed as to what they have to say about the incident. Even the company officials are saying the exact same thing. Even a FIR (police case) has not been registered. Company officials are avoiding our calls."NDTV tried contacting Mr Yadav's employers, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited in Mumbai, but they did not respond to queries. Mr Yadav's family claims the company officials told them he was last seen sleeping in his cabin on March 2. The next morning they say he disappeared when the ship was near Somalia.

30 people rescued from sinking ship near Mumbai

Mumbai: Helicopters and special ships were rushed to help 30 people who worked on a commercial ship that began sinking near Mumbai this morning.  
The Navy rushed to help after a merchant vessel Rak Carrier said it was being flooded. 

Fifteen crew members of the ship that's registered in Panama had jumped overboard in a panic.  Special rescue ships and helicopters traced all crew members and brought them to Mumbai. The crew consisted of Jordanians, Romanians and Indonesians.
The MV Rak Carrier was loaded with several thousand tons of coal. It was on its way from Indonesia to Port Dahej in Gujarat.
Experts say the cargo remains sealed and that no oil has spilled into the sea. The ship  was reported sunk  this afternoon; a navigational warning has been issued to other ships in the area.