Merchant navy courses are one of the most sought-after career options after graduating from high school. It is a very demanding job in which a candidate has to work round the clock right from the moment he/she enters into a maritime academy through IMU-CET. Yet, at the same time, it is one of the most lucrative as well – a reason which seems to attract many young candidates every year.
With a wide number of maritime institutes offering merchant navy courses, aspirants are spoilt for choice. However, if becoming a Deck Officer is what is on your mind, then it needs to be mentioned that not all of them lead to making students a Deck Officer on a fancy ship.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Deck Officer
The role of a Deck Officer is a very important one which includes the execution of a wide variety of tasks which include – navigation and vessel maneuvering, handling cargo, safety and communication equipment. All of these are not done by one individual and divided amongst a team which includes a Trainee Cadet, Chief Officer, 2nd and 3rd Officer, and above all the Captain of the ship.
Apart from the physical and medical requirements, the prerequisites for joining a merchant navy course through IME-CET are kept low. However, the exact criterion varies according to the institute in which a candidate wants to take admission. It is thus suggested to contact the institute to get the exact criterion.
Merchant Navy Courses for Deck Officer:
Given below are some of the courses which are offered by various institutes across India which can help a candidate realize her/his dream of becoming a Deck Officer –
B.S. Nautical Technology
This is a 3+1 year course offered by Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani. The first three years are taught in the institute where a variety of subjects are taught in depth. The final year consists entirely of an internship which takes place on board a vessel as a deck cadet. The final year is extremely crucial as the degree is conferred only after completion of the mandated number of hours at sea.
After completion of the time at sea and clearing the Mercantile Marine Department examinations, the 2nd mate license is issued. A total of 48 subjects are covered in the course of three years.
B.Sc. Nautical Science
This course is available both in India and UK for 3 and 4 years respectively. However, the teaching methodology differs in the two countries.
In India, during the course of the three years, a cadet stays in a maritime institute and is awarded a degree upon completion. The next step involves seeking employment on board a ship as a Deck Officer. In the UK, on the other hand, work and learning can be done simultaneously with the study modules designed to aid in working even before completion of the degree.
Some of the prominent institutes offering a B.Sc. Nautical Science includes the Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) in Chennai where admission is gained through IMU-CET. The other being Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, UK.
HND Nautical Science
Here HND stands for Higher National Diploma. The duration of this course is for two years and is conducted in conjunction with an institute in the UK. Equal time is spent in both the institutes. Candidates must sail for 15 months as part of the Deck Officer after completion of the course. Next, a 2nd Mate Preparatory Course which lasts for 3 months needs to be undertaken at the same Institute. Once the examination conducted by the Maritime Coastguard Agency is cleared, the candidate is awarded the 2nd Mate UK license which allows her/him to become a Deck Officer.
Some of the prominent institutes offering this course include AMET Chennai in collaboration with South Tyneside College in the UK, and International Maritime Institute in Noida in collaboration with Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Scotland.
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