Dated October 18, 2006
(Questions answered on career concerns)
What are the career prospects in merchant navy?
Satish Sahoo
New Delhi
Merchant Navy is different from the navy in the sense that it offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy, which is largely involved in the defence of a nation. Companies that run merchant ships require trained people who can operate and maintain the ships. India has its shipping companies, such as the Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping, Essar and Chowgule Shipping. Merchant Navy is the backbone of international trade, carrying cargo all over the world.
Trained people are required for the three main departments of the ship: the deck, the engine and the service department. Naturally there are many career options that are available for any youngster who has dreams of joining the merchant navy.
The Different Career options:
Deck Department:
The Deck Officer or Navigation Officer as the name suggests is in charge of the navigation of the ship.
The Captain or the master of the ship is in charge of the ship. He is not only responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel but also for the discipline on the ship and safety of passengers, crew and the cargo. He must ensure the observance of national and international codes of conduct guiding sea transportation.
The captain of the ship is further assisted by first mate, second mate and third mates.
The First Mate / Chief officer is the right-hand man to the Captain; the second in-command. He oversees all the cargo planning, assists during navigation, allocates duties and work for the maintenance and upkeep of the ship to the deck cadets and deck crew, ensures that discipline and order are maintained.
The Second Mate / Second officer, assistant to the first mate is in-charge of checking all mails and keeping the navigational equipment and charts in good condition and also assists in navigational watches at sea and cargo watches at port.
The Third Mate / Third officer is responsible for keeping safety equipments -the lifeboats, firefighting and signaling equipment in top condition; acts in the capacity of signal officer and assists with cargo work. The deck department also has other staff with specific duties called 'ratings'. They act as look outs and helmsmen, assist with the securing of the ship as it docks at ports and help clean tanks and holds before the cargo is placed in them.
Engine Department:
Marine Engineers: Marine Engineers have the complete responsibility of the ship's engine room. The main personnel in this department is the Ship engineer/Chief engineer who ensures safe and economic running of all engines, boilers, electrical, refrigerating and sanitary equipment, deck machinery and steam connections aboard the ship. He supervises the work of the engine-room crew and is assisted in his duties by the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Engineers and other junior personnel.
The Second engineer looks after the day to day work in the engine room. The Third engineer is in charge of the main engine, spare parts for the main engine, all purifiers, boilers, compressors etc. Fourth and fifth engineers are in charge of the numerous generators onboard ship as well as certain small pumps. Besides the officers of the navigation and engineering teams most ships have a Radio Officer and an Electrical officer.
The Radio Officer is in charge of the radio room and handles the operation of the wireless and transmitting of signals.
Electrical Officer is responsible for the functioning and handling of all electrical equipment on board the vessel. There is another one named seaconny, who ensures that the ship is on course and that the gangway at port is well-guarded.
Service Department:
The work undertaken here revolves around the living and catering services for all the crew on board. A chief steward heads a large team of stewards, bakers, mess men etc. Apart from this, the department also has other services such as the services of Divers for underwater examination of the heel of the ship, propellers, pipes etc.
Light Keepers, who operate light house signaling equipment to guide incoming and passing ships,and Nautical surveyors, who prepare charts of particular regions of the seas, with regard to topography and conditions of the sea.
Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, takes care of the training needs and conducts competency exam through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The career in Merchant navy offers bright prospects to navigating officers and marine engineers. Prospects of promotions are directly linked to passing of requisite competency exams conducted by Ministry of Surface Transport through the DGS. A career in Merchant Navy thus, offers high salaries, thrill, challenge and adventure-all in one package.
What are the career prospects for Zoology and Chemistry graduates?
Shuchi Rastogi
Via email
Zoology graduates find employment in research in areas such as medicine, agriculture, fisheries and wildlife conservation. An increasing number are going into environmental monitoring. Others find openings in teaching in a variety of educational establishments, with museums and the media. Fish farms, leisure centres, local government and service industries also employ zoology graduates.
Jobs related to the field of chemistry include those in the pharmaceutical, health care, food, brewing, agriculture and associated biotechnology industries,. For zoology graduates it includes veterinary and human medicine (both in research institutes and hospitals), forensic science, and in teaching.
[The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd. P.O. Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com]
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