Part I: All about careers on the high seas

If you want to enjoy a long career in an environment as dangerous as the sea, the importance proper training cannot be emphasised enough. India has many fine maritime institutes set up by the government, all of them very demanding and very rewarding. Choose wisely.

Training Ship Chanakya
Entry to this world-famous on-shore academy is done through the IIT-JEE. A candidate must clear the screening test of the IIT to qualify for admission. After qualification, the application form is available at the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai and select branches of the Syndicate Branch all over India.

The TS Chanakya offers a three-year course in Nautical Science (from the Mumbai University) after which a one-year on-ship sea training is compulsory.

TS Chanakya charges Rs 30,000 a year for this course, which includes tuition, hostel and mess. It also conducts a 3-month pre-sea course for aspiring Deck Cadets.

A candidate must have scored a 60 per cent minimum in PCM if he has completed his Class X exams or a 55 per cent minimum in BSc. Students are also eligible if they have passed a BTech or BE from a college recognised by the AICTE.

During their sea attachments, candidates are usually paid a nominal pocket allowance in addition to accommodation and messing. English is the medium of instruction.

Address: Captain Superintendent, T.S. Chanakya, Karave, Nerul, Navi Mumbai - 400 706
Phone: 91-22-27703876/27701935
Fax: 91-22-27700398
Website: www.iims.dgpshipping.com

Marine Engineering and Research Institute
Located in Kolkata, it is the oldest marine engineering colleges in India. It offers a BMarE degree and is affiliated with the Jadavpur University. It is an ISO 9001:2000 certified institute and is rated Grade-1 by CRISIL.

Its aims include 100 per cent placement through campus interviews. Its admission procedure is similar to that of the TS Chanakya ie through the IIT-JEE screening test. The fees total Rs 1,00,000 per annum with 50 per cent remission for girl students.

There are scholarships available from various institutions, the complete list of which is available at www.merical.ac.in/fees.html. English is the medium of instruction.

Address: MERI, P-19, Taratolla Road, Kolkata - 700 088
Phone: (033) 2401 4673-78/ 3677.
Fax: (033) 2401 4333
Website: www.merical.ac.in

Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Mumbai
The Marine Engineering & Research (MERI), Mumbai is a shore-based academy which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai for its 3-year polyvalent (dual certification) course leading to a BSc (Maritime Sciences) degree.

This is the only institution in India conducting polyvalent (dual certification) for Indian Merchant Navy Officers and for employment onboard merchant navy ships.

The admission process is similar to that of MERI, Kolkata. The fee structure amounts to Rs 1.5 lakh per annum with tuitions, hostel and mess. Female cadets can avail of 100 per cent fee waiver, except for mess, notebooks etc. English is the medium of instruction.

Address: Deputy Director, Marine Engineering & Research Institute, (MERI), Hay Bunder Road, Mumbai 400 033.
Phone: 91-22-23723577, 23725987, 23774261, 23771181
Fax: 91-22-23753151
E-mail: meribom@vsnl.com
Website: www.iims.dgpshipping.com

LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research
Set up by the Ministry of Transport in 1948, the LBS CAMSAR is a huge institute, with 1,200 students its rolls at any point of time. It offers 31 post-sea courses which run almost concurrently and meet the standards of the International Maritime Organization and the Government of India.

Under DGP norms, any cadet who is going to try to get Certificates of Competency (which are required for promotions and accepted in all countries) must do a 6-month course at this institute.

It claims that over 70 per cent of Indian officers trained by it are afloat on foreign vessels. LBS College is the largest maritime training college in the world in terms of student turnover -- over 17,000 enrolments per year. English is the medium of instruction.

Address: JK Dhar, Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research, Hay Bunner Road, Mumbai- 400 033
Phone: 022-3719944 - 46
Fax: 022-3739784
E-mail:mariner@bom2.vsnl.net.in
Website: http://education.vsnl.com/lbs

Ships that you may one day man
~ Barges: Flat-bottomed boats used to transport goods across rivers and canals while being pulled by tugboats.

~ Bulk carriers: Cargo ships used to transport 'bulk cargo' like coal etc.

~ Cable layers: A deep-sea vessel used to lay underwater cables for telecommunication etc.

~ Coasters: Shallow-hulled ships that can manoeuver through reefs which are used for trade between places along the same coastline.

~ Container ships: Cargo ships that carry their load in truck-sized containers.

~ Cruise ships: Ships that take passengers on voyages for pleasure.

~ Dredger: A ship used to gather and transport bottom sediment from one place to another, making the dredged area more easily accessible to deep-hull ships.

~ Ferries: Ships used to transport passengers, goods and vehicles from one shore to another.

~ Reefer ships: Cargo ships with temperature-controlled holds that are used to transport easily perishable cargo like fruits, vegetables etc.

~ Roll-on/ roll-off ships: Ships with built-in ramps that can be used to easily load and unload wheeled cargo like cars, scooters etc.

~ Tankers: Cargo ships used to transport liquids like oil, petrol etc.

~ Tugboat: Powerful little boats used to maneuver large vessels in harbors etc.

Part I: All about careers on the high seas

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