How to Join the Merchant Navy After 12th

Introduction–

Joining the Merchant Navy after completing your 12th is a good decision since it gives you the chance to travel and learn new skills.

This guide will greatly aid you in joining the Merchant Navy by providing you with the steps to follow.

1. Understand the Eligibility Criteria –

Before applying for a career in the Merchant Navy, ensure that you satisfy the following requirements:

• Educational Qualifications: To be eligible, you need to complete your 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects with an aggregate of at least 60% marks.
• Age Limit: Candidates should be aged 17 to 25 years.
• Medical Fitness: You will need to go through a medical assessment to ensure that you meet the health standards required by maritime authorities.

2. Choose The Appropriate Course

Now, pick a course that meets your interest and career objectives in the Merchant Navy:

Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science: Deals with navigation and ship operations.

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Marine Engineering: Deals with ship machinery and engine operations.

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Marine Engineering: Focuses on the technological front on Marine Engineering.

3. Prepare for Entrance Examinations

For most good maritime institutes, a candidate needs to clear entrance examinations, which could be:

Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET): It is an examination held by the Indian Maritime University for various maritime courses.

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE): For engineering subjects, especially Marine Engineering.

All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET): Conducted by some Private Maritime Institutes.

4. Apply to Maritime Institutes

After qualifying for the entrance examination, apply to the admittanced maritime institutes, that are considered to be reputable, and would provide the selected courses. These include:

Indian Maritime University (IMU): It has several undergraduate and postgraduate courses in diverse fields in Maritime Studies.

Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI): Offers undergraduate and postgraduate in nautical science and marine engineering.

Saundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS): Offers degree courses in nautical science and marine engineering.

5. Complete the Pre-Sea Training

As soon as selected, the student must first go through Pre-Sea training which contains:

Academic Studies: Advanced level of theory applicable to maritime operations.

Practical Training: Application in simulators and workshops.

6. Medical Examination:

last health check on readiness for sea service.

Securing sponsorship from shipping firms for the first step is a necessity both in terms of finances and job opportunities.

Sponsorship can be achieved through:
Direct Sponsorship: Available for Shipping Companies from selected Institutes.
Bank Loans: Funding of fees for attending courses before the first job for repayment after employment.

After the pre-sea training and the financial sponsorship is gained, trainees step onboard vessels as trainee Officers. The stage includes:

7. Sea Training:

Training onboard a ship at a particular rank whilst under the supervision of a senior officer. Continuous Assessment: Periodic evaluation of performance and competencies.

In some cases, within two years of sea training and passing all assessments, a person receives:

8. Certificate of Competency (CoC):

The Officer can be a serving officer on board.
Advanced Courses: Offered to increase opportunities for promotions, including to positions of greater authority.

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