Empowering Girls in the Merchant Navy- Career
Girls in the merchant navy have been pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes, demonstrating that maritime careers are not limited to men. With each passing year, more and more girls are choosing to embark on exciting journeys at sea, navigating their way through the challenges and triumphs of this traditionally male-dominated industry. In this blog, you will explore the opportunities available to girls in the Merchant Navy and highlight their invaluable contributions to the maritime world.
What is the Merchant Navy?
Merchant navy refers to the fleet of commercial ships engaged in international trade and transportation of goods. It plays a vital role in global commerce, ensuring the smooth movement of goods across oceans, and encompasses various job roles such as navigation officers, engineers, and deckhands who work together to ensure the safe and efficient operation of these vessels.
Women’s Contribution to the Indian Merchant Navy
Which Departments Should Girls Join in the Merchant Navy?
There are three departments to work in the Merchant Navy:
There are two types of jobs in each of the departments mentioned above:
In the officer category girls can join the following departments:
●??????Engine Department
The career of a marine engineer on Merchant Navy ships is highly regarded and widely recognized. While the working conditions in the Engine department may be more challenging compared to the Deck Department, girls who have a passion for machinery and technology can find excellent opportunities in the Engine department of the Merchant Navy.
Female candidates have the option to start as Trainee Marine Engineers or Trainee Electro-Technical Officers. By beginning as a Trainee Marine Engineer, they can eventually progress to become the Chief Engineer of a ship. As their career advances, they can also pursue roles as technical superintendents in shipping companies worldwide.
●??????Deck or Navigation Department
The Deck department in the Merchant Navy provides excellent career opportunities for girls. Joining as a Deck Cadet is the starting rank in this department. With experience and successful completion of competitive exams, candidates can progress to the position of Captain of?the ship.
●??????Galley/Catering department
There are two main categories of ships in the Merchant Navy: Cargo ships and Passenger (Cruise) ships. In the catering department, there are no officer-level jobs available on cargo ships, making them unsuitable for women pursuing careers in this department.
On the other hand, Passenger ships or Cruise Liners offer numerous career opportunities for girls in the Catering and Hospitality departments. Therefore, if girls are interested in joining the catering department in the Merchant Navy, they should focus on exploring the available opportunities on Cruise (passenger) ships.
8 Post-Seafaring Career Opportunities for Girls in Maritime
Ports and harbour management and pilotage refer to the efficient coordination and oversight of port operations, including the handling of vessels, cargo, and infrastructure maintenance. Ports are dynamic hubs that offer diverse employment opportunities across various sectors. To remain competitive in the global maritime industry, ports must adapt to emerging trends and rely on skilled professionals to develop effective business strategies. Port operations encompass a range of roles, including technical work, administration, management, vessel traffic services, and pilotage. Experienced seafarers who have held senior positions at sea possess the requisite expertise, knowledge, and perspectives, making them well-suited for these positions in port operations.
The growth of maritime training institutions provides an opportunity for experienced seafarers to contribute to the development of high-quality maritime training programs. By joining these institutions, seafarers can leverage their own knowledge and expertise to teach aspiring ship officers and equip them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for their roles onboard. This ensures that graduates entering the maritime industry are well-prepared and capable of fulfilling their duties at sea with diligence and effectiveness.
Retired sailors can pursue a career as authors, leveraging their extensive experience at sea to create maritime books. These books serve a dual purpose: aiding students in their preparation for competency examinations and providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. By sharing their expertise and insights, seasoned sailors can guide aspiring junior officers, helping them meet the requirements of their examinations and gain a deeper understanding of the maritime domain. This contribution to maritime literature benefits both students and the industry as a whole.
Deck officers who hold a certificate of competency as a Master on a foreign going vessel can qualify to become class surveyors, responsible for assessing the seaworthiness of ships. Similarly, a ship's engineer with a Chief Engineer's certificate can also pursue this role. As class surveyors, their main duties involve conducting inspections and surveys on ship structures and marine equipment, ensuring compliance with both national and international regulations to maintain ship quality and safety.
Experienced marine officers, including seafarers holding a Master's certificate for foreign going ships, have the opportunity to pursue government positions within the Ministry of Shipping. These positions may include roles as principal officers or Nautical surveyors within prestigious maritime regulatory bodies like the Director General of Shipping. Nautical surveyors are responsible for administering tests for masters and mates, ensuring the competence and qualifications of seafarers in these roles.
Ship management is a challenging and thrilling aspect of the maritime industry, involving the comprehensive management of a ship for a specified period. This encompasses several departments, including commercial, operations, technical, crewing, finance, administration, quality, and safety. Each department requires careful oversight and coordination to ensure efficient and effective ship management.
领英推荐
After gaining significant experience at sea and accumulating sufficient savings, it can be a wise decision for seafarers to embark on starting their own onshore business, allowing them to become independent entrepreneurs. The qualities of passion, persistence, and tenacity that are already inherent in seafarers are crucial for success in entrepreneurship.
Career Opportunities for Girls in the Merchant Navy
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Ministry of Shipping of India are actively working to promote greater representation of girls in the Merchant Navy. With combined efforts of the shipping companies, the demand for female seafarers has grown, providing excellent career prospects in the Merchant Navy, not only in shipboard roles but also in office-based positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The course requires candidates to be between 18 and 25 years old, with a 5-year relaxation for SC/ST and 2-year relaxation for girls candidates. In order to become a deck officer in the merchant navy, one must complete a three-year BSc in Nautical Science degree program.
?
2. What is the qualification for Merchant Navy for girls?
Upon completion of higher education, individuals who have achieved a minimum of 60% in class 12 with Physics, Mathematics, or Chemistry are eligible for various merchant navy courses.
?
3. How many girls are there in the merchant navy in India?
According to IMO data, there are currently around 1% of Indian women and 2% of women overall working in the maritime sector.
4. How many girls are there in the Merchant Navy?
According to a recent poll, the number of women seafarers working onboard has increased by 45.8% since 2015, with an estimated total of 24,059 women in the industry.
Conclusion
Opportunities for girls to join the merchant navy have significantly increased, with the industry actively promoting gender diversity and inclusivity. More women are pursuing careers in the merchant navy, and initiatives supporting their participation have led to greater opportunities and a growing presence of female seafarers in the field.
Feel free to contact us, if you have any questions about the career opportunities for girls in the Merchant Navy or how to join the Merchant Navy.?
Contact No. +91 9892082041
Email - [email protected]
Website - https://www.nanakshipping.com
Tags: Girls in the Merchant Navy, Merchant Navy girls, Can female join Merchant Navy, Merchant Navy Female, Female Merchant Navy, Girls Merchant Navy, Merchant Navy for female, Merchant navy female salary, Merchant Navy courses for female, Merchant Navy for female in India, Can a girl join merchant navy after 12th, Can a girl join merchant navy after graduation, Merchant navy courses for female, Merchant navy height for girls
Hashtags: #merchantnavy #merchantservices #merchantmarine #merchantnavylife #seafarers #womenempowerment #womenseafarers
--
1 个月Hii
TME in BW maritime pte.ltd | Alumina of Maharashtra academy of naval education and training | Marine Engineer | Diploma in Electrical engineering
7 个月Nicely written ??
Such inspirational post