HOW YOU BECOME CAPTAIN

How many years it will takes you to become captain 

Let’s Assume a Hypothetical Situation , You have Passed your 12th or Graduated from A college & Got admission in any Marine Institute for One Year Diploma in nautical Science leading to B.SC. Nautical Science.

    Assumptions:

·      Considering that you will pass your all examination in 1st attempt till Masters.

·      Maximum Break between ships is Just 2 Months. It means you are joining the ships after having holidays of 2 months every time.

Let’s Ride the Tide:

The Duration of Pre-sea Training is 12 Months. On Completion of Pre Sea Training, Let’s assume Holidays of 2 Months.

Total Duration = 14 Months

Now you all set for On Board Training and assume you will complete your 18 months training period in three different ships in a span of 24 Months

Total Duration = 14 Months+ 24 Months = 38 Months

Congratulations! You have completed your Training period. Now you all set to become an Officer in Merchant Navy

How to become an Officer?

You will have to appear for 2nd mate Examination conducted by Director General of Shipping, Mumbai. Considering that you will be passing your examinations (written+orals) along with courses in a span of 12 months.

Total Duration = 38 Months+12 Months = 50 Months

Congratulations! You have now Certificate of Competency for sailing as 2nd mate on Board on Foreign Ships issued by Government of India.

Sailing as 3rd and 2nd Mate:

You will be sailing happily on ships as 3rd mate and 2nd Mate. Now you will be thinking about Chief Mate. But to appear for Chief Mate Examination, You need to have at least 18 Months Experience of sailing as 3rd mate and 2nd mate .However Part of Chief mate Exam could be completed after 9 months of sailing.

Considering that you will be completing your sailing period of 18 Months as 3rd Mate and 2nd mate in a span of 24 Months.

Total Duration = 50 Months+ 24 Months = 74 Months

Now you will be appearing for Chief mate Examination conducted by Director General of Shipping, Mumbai. Considering that you will pass your examinations (written+orals) along with courses in a span of 12 months.

Sailing As Chief Mate:

You will have to sail at least 12 Months as a Chief Mate on Foreign Going ships to appear for Masters Examinations.

Considering that you will be completing the sailing period of 12 Months as Chief Mate in a span of 18 Months.

Total Duration = 74 Months +18 Months = 92 Months

Now you will be appearing for Masters Mariners Examination conducted by Director General of Shipping, Mumbai. Considering that you will pass your examinations (written+orals) along with courses in a span of 4 months.

Total Duration = 92 Months+4 Months = 96 Months = 8 years

Congratulations! You have got Certificate of Competency for Sailing as Master on Foreign Going Ships from Govt of India.

Wait! This is the just the minimum duration to get the Masters License.

In reality Companies take time for the Promotions. They will promote you as per your experience. You need to have at least 24–30 Months as 3rd Mate& 2nd Mate Together to be promoted as Chief Officer.

To become Master on Foreign Going vessel, you need to have at least 24–30 Months as Chief Officer.

We need to take in account at least 3 more years as leeway as a waiting period for promotion in Different Ranks.

Therefore Total Duration to become Captain of Ship = 8 Years +3 Years = 11 years

This is the Minimum Duration expected to become Master of a ship after you join the One Year Diploma in any marine Institute.

But many candidates are slow who just sail 6 months a Year or less. I am also one of those candidates may take more time.

CAPTAIN AND OTHER OFFICERS SALARY