Careers as a Deck Officer :

A career at sea is both arduous and rewarding. It offers a high level of job satisfaction; a wide experience and challenging work environment. Experienced Mariners are in great demand in various shore assignments because of their ability to handle all types of jobs, their resourcefulness, sense of responsibility and ability to work under most demanding circumstances. A Deck Officer is a very valuable and responsible member of a ship’s team. He has to navigate the ship from one port to another in all circumstances with caution and safety at all times and maintains the equipment operated by him in good working order. This gives him watch keeping experience and tremendous confidence. However, it must be understood that the life of an Officer is tough, and not suited for the weak hearted. But there are compensations as well. A Class III Certificate of Competency holder starts as a Third Officer in about 3 years (approx. Salary US $ 1200) with prospects of becoming a Master in about 5 years (approx. Salary US $ 4500-6000) plus leave and allowances.

Careers as an Engineer Officer :

A career at sea is very demanding as well as rewarding. It offers a high level of job satisfaction, a wide experience and challenging work environment. Experienced Marine Engineers are in great demand in all industries because of their ability to handle very large power plants, their resourcefulness, sense of responsibility and ability to work with their own hand with almost no external assistance. A Marine Engineer is a very valuable and responsible member of a ship’s team. He has to operate and control all engineering systems onboard his ship, and maintain them in good working condition. This gives him tremendous experience and confidence. However, it must be understood that the life of a Marine Engineer is tough, and not suited for the weak hearted. But there are compensations as well. Class IV Certificate of Competency holder starts as a Fourth Engineer in about 3 years (approx. Salary US $1200) with prospects of becoming a Chief Engineer in about 5 years (approx. Salary US $ 4500 – 6000) plus leave and allowances.

General Information :

Pay scales vary from Company to Company and the salaries are tax-free in most countries. This is in addition to free boarding and lodging onboard ships. Companies also provide air passages from and to an International airport, hotel/guest house accommodation and expenses for joining and leaving ship. Senior officers are permitted to carry their families onboard ships depending upon the individual company’s rules. During the shipboard training under Phase II, a stipend of approx. US $ 100 – 300 may be paid depending on individual company rules and terms. As per DG shipping circular, cadets during their sea training phase on board Indian Registered ships will have to pay Rs. 10500/- pm towards Maritime Training Trust which is refundable after working for 3 years in the same company after first CoC.

Lifestyle at Sea :

No matter what kind of vessel you join, you are about to experience life in a completely different way. You will operate all over the world and the opportunities for global travel are very real. Ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On board you will work a system of watches normally in a pattern of 4 hours on and 8 hours off. Your lifestyle at sea will depend on the type and trading pattern of your ship. You will find the food and accommodation on board is excellent, with single cabins and en-suite facilities on many vessels. Whether on a super tanker, a container ship, a cross channel ferry, a cruise liner, a specialised vessel servicing the offshore oil industry or a small cargo ship you will have the opportunity to study, pursue leisure interests and socialise with your colleagues on board. Holiday, pay, welfare and benefits vary from company to company but are generally very good. For example a qualified officer after a voyage lasting four months could get two months holiday or more.