FAQ

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) is mandated by the Directorate General of Shipping for authorized recruiters and agents in India. It provides a mechanism for protection of Indian seafarers working on Indian and Foreign flag vessels .All RPS providers is issued with a Recruitment & Placement Services License (RPSL) number. SMC has its own RPSL and provides placement through RPSL -KSM NAVIGATION PVT. LTD.

Duration would be 12 months during training.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

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

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

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

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.

On successful completion of training the trainee is provided the following certificates and documents:

  • Pre-Sea Training Course Completion Certificate

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Duration will be 11+/- 1 month.

The exams are based on the training provided to you during your course at SMC, as well as the onboard training. The more you work hard during your Pre Sea and onboard training the better you perform in Exams.