| Deck officer is responsible for navigation, checking that cargo is safe and stable, supervising crew members and ensuring that their ship is fit to sail. Not to be confused with a country's naval defence force, the merchant navy is made up of civilian officers and crew who transport cargo as well as passengers is non-combatant commercial ships. Merchant vessels move 90 percent of the world's goods - from crude oil, LPG, LNG, kerosene, petrol, coal and mineral ore to wheat, vegetable oil, rice, crockery, shoes, cars, yachts and other products. The global industry boasts a combined fleet of about 40,000
The sugar in your tea, the petrol in your bike and umpteen other consumables reach you by sea, thanks to a tribe of hardworking people who spend months on end -- away from their homes and loved ones -- at sea. A major pillar of the merchant navy (the other being engineers), navigation or deck officers manoeuvre ships to transport about 90 per cent of the world's goods (as well as passengers) from one place to another.
A seafarer's life is no bed of roses between the endless sky and sea but you can go places if you have what it takes. It's important to remember that this is a physically and emotionally demanding profession. Join if you can survive alone...one has to be mentally prepared for the job."
"If you dock at Singapore, you wouldn't be out sightseeing. You have to carry out cargo duties. Shipping is an expensive business and companies don't want their vessels docked idle for long. The time available to you will depend on the kind of cargo you handle. With dry cargo, you will get two to three days and with tankers, one or two. If the ship is at anchor, and the agent says your turn will come after a week, you can take a boat to come ashore. It's a lucrative career in Deck Officer, no doubt. Deck Officer Jobs prospects are "very good because the number of officers is less.
Foreign companies consider Indian officers and Filipino crew the ideal complement on a merchant ship. Higher pay and income tax exemption due to non-resident status make most professionals sign up for foreign-flag carriers. However, on the other hand, the tax rules and a law requiring Indian ships to hire crew from within the country have caused a shortage of quality manpower in domestic companies, whose combined share in the global searoute business dipped from about 35 per cent in 1990-1991 to under 14 per cent in 2004-2005
Deck Officer Jobs and Pay Off
Deck Offier Jobs and Salary rates for merchant navy officers, vary with the company to company. While at sea, you would have accommodation and food and some transportation costs. On long trips, can be tax-free gains
In the Deck Officer jobs, the monthly pay packages while on a foreign ship :-
Deck cadet (trainee) : Rs. 16,000/- to Rs. 20,000/-.
Third officer : Rs. 93,000/- to Rs. 1,40,000/-
Second officer : Rs. 1,40,000/- to Rs. 1,60,000/-
Chief offier : Rs. 2,30,000/- to Rs 2,80,000/-
Master (Captain) : Rs. 3,50,000/- to Rs. 4,15,000/-
In the Deck Officer jobs, the average monthly pay on indian ships :-
Fresh deck officer : About Rs. 1,25,000/-,
2nd officer : Rs. 1,50,000/-
Chief officer : Rs. 2,20,000/-
Captain : Rs. 3,00,000/-
How do I get Deck Officer Degree
You should pass class XII with physics, chemistry, maths and english, usually with at least 60% marks (50% in english). After this, opt for the three year BSc nautical science programme by clearning.
(a) The IIT-JEE (followed by a medical exam and counselling) to enrol at one of the institutes offering the degree
(b) The common entrance test of Indian Maritime University, which has affiliated institutes and centres across the country.
(c) Entrance test of private instututes. To work as a deck officer on a merchant ship and for promotions, you need to clear exams held by the Ministry of Surface Transport. More details, including medical requirements, at dgshipping.com. Under government rules, women candidates are given age exemption and fee walvers.
Institutes for Deck Officer Course
- Indian Maritime University, Chennai (with affiliated institues across india)
- TS Chanakya, Mumbai
- Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune
- Applied research International, New Delhi
- International Maritime Institute, Greater Noida
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