FAQ

List of FAQ Question and Answers

  • What are the different categories of Ratings ?

    There are three categories of ratings- deck, engine room and saloon (Catering). Deck rating is responsible for cargo handling, mooring / unmooring and general maintenance of the ship. Similarly the engine room ratings assist the engineering officers in maintenance and operation of engines and associated equipment. The catering crew consists of Steward / Cooks and as the name suggests, they look after the catering and the house keeping.

  • What is a G.P. Rating?

    In the modern day shipping with reduced manpower, thrust has come on combined deck and engine rating. For this DG Shipping has made it compulsory to run an integrated course for deck and engine ratings. The course is named as General Purpose Rating (G.P Rating). As per the directives of D.G. Shipping, separate deck and engine rating courses have been abolished with effect from 01st April 2003. G.P. Rating course is now mandatory for all aspirants wanting to join sea as deck or engine rating.

  • What is C.D.C and how do I get it ?

    C.D.C. means a Continuous Discharge Certificate. It is also the Seafarer's Identity Document. The CDC is issued by the Shipping Master at Mumbai / Kolkata / Chennai to the eligible candidates. All candidates completing any of the DG Shipping approved pre sea courses shall be eligible for the issuance of CDC. The CDC forms for such candidates shall be forwarded through their respective training Institute.

  • What is INDos No. ?

    INDos means Indian National Database Of Seafarers. It is a computerized national database for quick reference by statutory authorities such as Flag State, Port State, Immigration and Employers etc. to prevent fraudulent issue of certificates. The database will include address, photographs, signature & telephone etc. of the individual. The INDos No. consist of eight alphanumeric characters. Henceforth, no seafarer with out INDos No. will be admitted to any course other than those more than three month pre-sea training course.

  • Can anyone leave the job in the Merchant Navy and join later after few years?

    Yes it is possible but you will have to ensure your certificates are valid at the time of re-joining and you may also require undergoing some refresher training. In addition there are possibilities that you will be offered demoted rank for a period of time.

  • What is the maximum number of days a seafarer has to sail on ship?

    Typically at times the voyage could be up to 30 days or more.

  • What is the continuous duration of stay on board a ship during the training period?

    Duration would be 12 months during training.

  • Despite of high salary structure, why are there so much shortage of officers?

    Many of the shipping companies are not investing enough in training cadets and only expecting to employ experienced officers. This is one of the reasons for shortage. Other reason could be, more ships built in a very short span of time not taking into account the availability of manpower resulting in acute shortages.

  • How much time does it take for a Deck Cadet/Engine Cadet to become a Master/Chief Enginner?

    A Deck Cadet/Engine Cadet can become a Master/Chief Engineer in eight to ten years provided he appears and passes all his promotion examinations in time and also completes the necessary Sea-time and Post Sea Courses on time.

  • What is the retirement age?

    As per Seamen's Employment Office Order the retirement age of the person from seafaring profession is at 60 yrs. This rule also provided discretion to the Director, Seamen's Employment Office, to permit employment of seamen over 60 years of age, but not exceeding 65, provided the ship owner accepted the engagement of the seaman and the prescribed medical authority declared him 'Fit', prior to engagement.

  • What are the shore opportunities when I stop sailing?

    It depends but if you stop sailing after becoming Master or a Chief Engineer, there will be many opportunities at shore for Marine Superintendent, Technical Superintendent, Manning Superintendent, Vetting Superintendent, Port Pilot or Harbor Master, Conservator of Ports etc.

  • How safe is it to be on board a ship and what is the compensation in case a person is injured or dies on board?

    Merchant Navy is one of the safest and most economical medium for transportation. Ships are built to operate in the safest way but the safety depends on the human being who operates the ship. Compensation varies from type and extent of injury but for death, compensation is around US $80,000.

  • Will I get the salary when I am not sailing and on leave? 

    No, you will not be entitled for salary when you are on leave. During the on-board training period the trainees are paid stipend and not salary.

  • Can I visit the countries that the ship arrives without a visa?

    In majority of the countries, seafarers are issued a special pass to go ashore when the ship is in port. Some countries such as America, you will need a visa to go ashore.

  • Which international authority governs Merchant navy and takes care of seafarers?

    The International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

  • What type of interview will there be before I am selected?

    You will have written test and interview by the interview panel.

  • How tough are the exams held by the government (MOT)?

    It is easy provided you have learnt what is trained during your training at CAAMN as well as onboard training

  • Do I have to pay for my medical test?

    Yes, you will have pay for the medical test. The medical test has to be carried out only by a DG Shipping Approved Doctor.

  • How do I apply for the loan?

    Loan process will be your responsibility and you will have to choose the bank who will be willing to give you the loan. We will assist you in providing letters to assist in loan process.

  • What are the certificates and documents provided on completion of training?

    On successful completion of training the trainee is provided the following certificates and documents:
    Pre-Sea Training Certificate
    Personal Survival Techniques
    Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
    Elementary First Aid
    Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
    Oil Tanker Familiarization (Optional)
    Continuous Discharge Certificate (C.D.C)

  • Who conducts the Final examination of the GP Rating trainees?

    The conduct of final examination for the GP Ratings is outsourced by the DG Shipping to the “Board of Examination for Seafarers Trust” based at Navi Mumbai. The Examination is held in three parts (Oral. Practical and Written), the Trainees have to secure a minimum of 60% in each part to be declared pass in the examinations. 

  • What are the medical parameters for joining merchant navy? 

    Physically fit and meet the standards laid out by Director General of Shipping. More details can be found in DG Shipping website at www.dgshipping.com

  • Can anyone having minor physical deformities like knock-knees etc. join the merchant navy?

    It depends on the extent of the physical deformity and as long as the deformity does not form any kind of disability to perform the duties assigned onboard a ship, one should be fit for sea service. However this will be confirmed only by the company Doctor.

  • Any health problems related to seasickness and staying away from the land?

    It is usual for most of the seafarers to have seasickness when he starts his sea career but everyone gets used to the sea within a short period of time.

  • wear spectacles; does an eye operation enough to make me eligible for Merchant Navy? 

    Requirements are : 6/6 vision in both eyes (without visual aids); no colour-blindness for Nautical Officer’s and for Engineering Officers use of corrective lenses permitted but the maximum permissible limits, at entry, are 6/12 in each eye or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye, for Distant Unaided Vision. It will be an individual's decision to do whatever is required to meet the requirement and as long as one meets the above requirement, he will be eligible for Merchant Navy.