Upon completion of a 3-year Nautical Science degree course, one year sailing as a Deck Cadet, one will progress to a Third Officer, Second Officer, a Chief Officer and ultimately the Captain of a ship. As a Deck Officer, one will progress along the chosen career path, moving up the ranks by periodically undergoing competency examinations conducted by the Directorate General of
Shipping, Government of India, in accordance with the Convention on Standards of Training for Certification and Watch keeping (i.e., STCW) of the International Maritime Organization, i.e. the specialized maritime agency of the United Nations. In addition to taking certain modular and preparatory courses, one will need to acquire minimum stipulated amount of sea service time before appearing for the examinations. From the rank of Deck Cadet with promotions come substantial improvements in remuneration. It takes about 8 years for a Third Officer to get promoted to the rank of Captain, depending on individual capabilities and the job opportunities available The Captain of a ship receives about 20,000 USD on LNG Ships, which is equivalent to Rs.15,00, 000/- per month, based on their qualifying the relevant examinations.
It is common for Deck Officers to retire from sea service well before the traditional retirement age. They are then able to find numerous opportunities ashore with shipping companies and other organisations for providing services to the shipping and other allied industry. The other jobs are like becoming a Marine lawyer, a Shipbroker, Planner in Container companies, and Marine Pilot in various ports of the world, Marine lawyers as advisors to judges or fight cases on their own. Draught surveyors in various companies in India and abroad. Marine Superintendents of various shipping companies. Safety and quality inspectors of various shipping companies. Auditors of companies and classification societies. Compass adjuster in various Indian ports. P & I correspondents for carrying out investigation of damage/accidents to ships, cargo. Can carry on further studies in Indian Maritime University, Chennai or World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden and do research. Can get jobs in IMB and MSC of the International Maritime Organization, London (which is under the UNO). Faculty in various Colleges in India, Gulf countries, UK, Singapore, Australia.
Our ex-cadets have been placed on board ships owned and managed by various shipping companies like, Elegant Marine Services, Wallem Ship Management, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, MSC Ship Management, United Ocean Ship Management, Gulf Energy Maritime Services (GEM), Wilhelmsen Ship Management, MMS Maritime (MMSI), Apeejay Shipping, Univan Ship Management, Searland Management Service, Herald Maritime Service, Dynacom Tankers. Etc.
