Joining the Merchant Navy has since long been an attractive career option. At the same time, there is a certain element of mystery attached to it as most people do not know what it is like to work in this profession. Find out below.
What are the jobs really about?
Transporting People and Goods
Many people confuse the Merchant Navy with the Indian Navy. However, the two are completely different. There are no arms, ammunition, defending the country or fighting the enemy in the Merchant Navy. Basically, Merchant Navy is a part of the Transportation Industry.
Working in the Merchant Navy primarily involves activities that comprise of the business side of sea travel in vessels like cruise ships, cargo container ships, tankers, ferries, bulk carriers etc. Jobs in the Merchant Navy basically revolve around the transportation of people or goods from one place to the other. You will primarily be responsible for the safety of the people or goods on your ship and it will be your duty to ensure that they reach the specified destination on time.
Generally, you will be employed by a private corporate or a public sector company which is involved in the import or export of cargo. You can also be working for a cruise ship, though the bulk of the jobs are in companies involved in cargo and goods transportation.
In the Merchant Navy, you can be working as a Deck/Navigation Officer or a Marine Engineer. As a Deck/Navigation officer, you will be responsible for navigating the ship and other ship operations. Marine Engineers are primarily responsible for maintaining the equipment and machinery of the ship.
Why do people work in the Merchant Navy?
Good Pay, Lots of Jobs
As compared to a lot of other industries, salaries in the Merchant Navy are high, especially for the entry – level positions. All Merchant Navy jobs pay well, irrespective of whether you work as a Navigating Officer or a Marine Engineer.
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Due to the dearth of qualified professionals in this field, jobs are easily available in the Merchant Navy. This means that in most likelihood, you will not have to struggle to find a job or a good salary, which is a big advantage considering the unstable economic climate of today.
Travel and Adventure
One of the biggest motivating factors behind people wanting to join the Merchant Navy is the amount of travel and adventure that is a part of the job. While most people will spend their life sitting in offices working in a 9 – 5 job, you would be travelling around the world, experiencing new cultures and getting paid for it! For people who like travelling and exploring new places, a job in the Merchant Navy is perfect.
Growth Opportunities
As a professional working in the Merchant Navy, you would get a lot of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. You will start off as a Trainee or an entry – level engineer/navigating officer with basic job responsibilities, but as you gain experience, your jobs will grow and you can end up becoming the Captain of the ship in a matter of a few years.
What is it like to work in the Merchant Navy?
No Social Life
Working in the Merchant Navy is not easy primarily because you are required to spend months in a ship covering long distances. It is extremely normal for people working in this field to spend 4 – 6 months at a stretch away from home, travelling from one corner of the world to the other. Even though this might not seem like a big issue at the start of your career, it takes a toll on your family and social life in the long run. Many people move towards jobs that follow a more typical routine after spending a few years in the Merchant Navy.
People working in the Merchant Navy do not follow a conventional schedule, i.e. working throughout the week and relaxing on weekends. Rather, they spend months together on a ship with a small group of people. After they complete the voyage, they spend a long period at home (3 – 4 months) as a part of their holiday.
Demanding Job
The operations of a ship at sea carry on for 24 hours a day. As one person cannot work throughout the day, Merchant Navy professionals work in shifts. The duration of these shifts varies from company to company; you might have to work for a period of 6 hours, 8 hours or even 12 hours at a stretch. Generally, the time duration you spend working in a shift is the same as the time allotted for your rest.
Additionally, professionals in this career are often required to deal with changing schedules; one day you might have to work early in the morning the other day you might have to work late in the night. Professionals often have to work for hours at a stretch without a break during emergencies and urgent situations.
Responsibility
A job in the Merchant Navy comes with its fair share of responsibility as there is often a lot of money and people’s lives at stake. While working in the Merchant Navy, you cannot afford to be negligent as a small mistake in the sea can lead to disasters. You will always need to be alert and think carefully before making a decision. Professionals who succeed in this field are responsible individuals who understand the value of the ship and the value of the cargo they are transporting.
Risk
Working in the Merchant Navy involves dealing with certain risks. During voyages, there is a constant risk of you encountering storms or unfavourable weather situations which can damage the ship and lead to accidents. Additionally, certain sea routes are riskier than others due to the presence of pirates and terrorists.
People who work in the Merchant Navy have to learn to deal with these risks and prioritize the lives on board during all circumstances. Success in this career comes to those who have the ability to keep calm during volatile situations and think rationally and logically when under pressure.
