Career in Merchant navy can be pursued either as an officer or a rating in mainly two specialized fields, i.e. Marine Engineering and Nautical (deck). To become a seafarer, following streams of entries (Pre-Sea courses) are available to Indian citizens in the Government as well as in private training institutions (recognized and approved by Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping): -
Officers

• (DGS-IMU) approved 1 year Diploma in Nautical Science leading to BSc (Nautical Science) in collaboration with IMU
• 3 years degree course in B.Sc. Nautical Science for (10+2) students
• 4 years degree course in Marine Engineering for (10 +2) students
• 2 years Trainee Marine Engineering course for Diploma Holders in Mechanical /Marine / Shipbuilding / Naval Architecture / Electrical
• 1 year Trainee Marine Engineering course for Graduates in Mechanical Engineering / Naval Architecture
  Rating (Entry standard Xth)
• 25 Weeks Pre-Sea Course for General Purpose (GP) rating.

The pay and perks depend upon the type of the ship, experience of an individual. At the starting level, a rating may get 200 - 600 US $. The wage structure also varies from company to company.

The officers from this branch primarily look after the ship's navigation, loading/discharging of cargo and the general maintenance and administration of the ship. The officer joins in the rank of 3rd officer and is subsequently promoted to the rank of 2nd officer, Chief Officer and finally the Master of the ship. Off course, the promotions are subject to the individual obtaining requisite Certificate of Competency and his performance onboard the ship.

These are the officers who are qualified in Marine Engineering. They join as 5th Engineer and step by step, get promoted to 4th, 3rd, 2nd and Chief Engineer, subject to their passing the competency exams and performance onboard the ship. The Engineering department in addition to looking after the main engines, are also responsible for associated equipment like power generation equipment, cargo pumps and air - conditioning etc. The Chief Engineer is overall in charge of technical wing on board ship.

There are three categories of ratings- deck, engine room and saloon (Catering). Deck rating is responsible for cargo handling, mooring / unmooring and general maintenance of the ship. Similarly the engine room ratings assist the engineering officers in maintenance and operation of engines and associated equipment. The catering crew consists of Steward / Cooks and as the name suggests, they look after the catering and the house keeping.

In the modern day shipping with reduced manpower, thrust has come on combined deck and engine rating. For this DG Shipping has made it compulsory to run an integrated course for deck and engine ratings. The course is named as General Purpose Rating (G.P Rating). As per the directives of D.G. Shipping, separate deck and engine rating courses have been abolished with effect from 01st April 2003. G.P. Rating course is now mandatory for all aspirants wanting to join sea as deck or engine rating.

C.D.C. means a Continuous Discharge Certificate. It is also the Seafarer's Identity Document. The CDC is issued by the Shipping Master at Mumbai / Kolkata / Chennai to the eligible candidates. All candidates completing any of the DG Shipping approved pre sea courses shall be eligible for the issuance of CDC. The CDC forms for such candidates shall be forwarded through their respective training Institute.

INDos means Indian National Database Of Seafarers. It is a computerized national database for quick reference by statutory authorities such as Flag State, Port State, Immigration and Employers etc. to prevent fraudulent issue of certificates. The database will include address, photographs, signature & telephone etc. of the individual. The INDos No. consist of eight alphanumeric characters. Henceforth, no seafarer with out INDos No. will be admitted to any course other than those more than three month pre-sea training course.

All Indian and Foreign Nationals holding COC granted by Government of India or Indian CDC or who have done modular courses approved by DG Shipping must have INDos No. Courses not approved by Government of India except GMDSS will not be included in the INDos data.

The officer in-charge, INDos, LBS CAMSAR, Hay Bunder, Mumbai -400 033.

Tele : 91-22-23719940/44, Fax : 91-22-23739784, Email : mariner@bom2.vsnl.net.in.

The advantage to seafarer will be that he would not need to carry original documents while training ashore. for eg. presently, a second mate has to carry all his original documents. Once he has the INDos certificate, he would not have to produce original document for admission to course anywhere in India. Further, in case of loss of original documents, INDos will help in getting re-issue of duplicate certificates. Not withstanding INDos, seafarers will still need to carry original documents while serving on board ship.

For those entering the profession

• INDos numbers would be allotted by LBS CAMSAR when a person joins a pre-sea training institute that conducts approved pre-sea training courses of three months duration or more.
• Details of any modular course certificates obtained by the seafarer would be accepted only directly from approved training institutions by way of monthly statements.
• Details of documents, issued by Government authorities, such as Certificates of Competency, Letter of Authority for issue of Certificate of Competency (Commonly referred to as 'Blue Chit'), endorsement for serving on special ship types. CDCs, etc., issued in due course would be directly communicated to the INDos centre for updating the data. Such details would not be accepted from the seafarer.

For those already in the profession

• Photocopies of certificates produced by those already in the profession would be accepted and entered into INDos.
• Such certificates would be verified subsequently from records furnished to INDos by the training institutions and authorities such as Chief Examiners (Certificates of Competency), Mercantile Marine Departments (Letter of Authority for issue of COS and endorsements for special ship types), Shipping Masters (CDCs), etc.

AQUATECH Institute of Maritime Studies is one of the DGS approved maritime training institutes. Situated in the heart of Delhi, the Institute offers variety of Marine Courses at competitive cost. The Institute is ISO 9001:2000 Certified and maintains strict quality control in all spheres of Education and Training.

For further information Click the link "Course Offered" and "Training Calendar".