4 Ways To Become A Deck Officer in Merchant Navy

The role of a deck officer is important onboard vessels as they are responsible for safe navigation, crew safety, and cargo operations. All this work is divided among and handled by the Trainee Cadet, 3rd Officer, 2nd Officer, and Chief Officer under the supervision of the Master/Captain.

Achieving the position of deck officer requires years of hard work, tough physical training and mandatory sea time. Many young cadets aspire to work on the deck side without being aware of the nature of work or even the right colleges or courses to choose to become deck officers.

Many colleges and universities offer a plethora of courses in exchange for successful careers at sea; however, most do not fulfil their promises, and cadets are often left searching for employment after completing their courses.

Hence, it is vital to pursue the right course from a reputable institution to start from a solid foundation in the shipping industry. An aspiring deck officer should research thoroughly before deciding on the college and course they want to pursue.

In this article, we have listed some of the important courses through which one can become a deck officer and have a secure maritime career.

Diploma In Nautical Science

This is a one-year course at the Indian Maritime University. Prospective deck cadets undergo a year-long period of study followed by a sailing period of a minimum of 18 months as a deck cadet in the merchant navy.

After completing it, the candidate obtains an Advanced Nautical Technology Certificate and is then eligible for the 2nd Mate CoC examination for the post of 3rd Officer conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department of the Government of India.

Many merchant navy institutes offer this diploma course. It is advisable to check the Directorate General of Shipping and the Indian Maritime University websites for institute approvals and course details.

In the United States, the Merchant Marine is a civilian auxiliary of the US Navy. The US system is very intensive. Candidates should refer to one of the Academy websites for a methodical procedure regarding the US Merchant Marine.

Check the list of the best maritime colleges in the United States for more information.

The most important aspect of choosing a suitable merchant navy Institute and course to become a deck officer is ensuring that the country’s respective Government Authority approves the course.

Criteria	Requirement
Age	Maximum: 25 years, Minimum: 17 years (on the date of commencement of the course) .Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST & 2 years for Women.
Educational qualifications	At the 10+2 level, a minimum of 60% in aggregate (min 70% in AEMA and 65% aggregate) in PCM subjects.
	Completed B.Sc. in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry or Electronics (with Physics) from a recognised university, with an average of more than 50% marks in the final year and more than 60% as a PCM aggregate at the 10+2 level.
	Completed a B. Tech degree from a university recognised by UGC with a minimum of 50% in the final year and more than 60% marks in PCM at the 10+2 level.
English	At least 60% marks in English as a separate subject, in either 10th or 12th standard or in the Degree course conducted by a recognized Board/University. No relaxation for SC/ST candidates in English.
Physical fitness and Medical Criteria	Candidates should be physically fit with 6/6 eyesight without visual aids and no color blindness or night blindness, as specified by DG Shipping.

Reputed Indian Colleges for Diploma in Nautical Science:

• Tolani Maritime Institute
• Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy
• International Maritime Institute (IMI), Noida
• Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies

B.Sc. Nautical Science

This is a three-year deck officer training course available in India. In the UK, it is a four-year course. However, the method incorporated in completing this course varies between India and the UK.

In India, a deck cadet in the merchant navy spends his entire 3 years in a Maritime Institute and gets a degree after the course ends. Following that, he seeks employment and gets on board a ship as a Trainee Merchant Navy Deck Officer.

In the UK, work and learning are incorporated within the course (a part of the deck officer recruitment process), with the core modules and work-based learning divided aptly within the four years of study.

Criteria	Requirement
Age	Maximum age: 21 years, Minimum age: 17 years (on the date of commencement of the course.) Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST & 2 years for women.
Educational qualifications	10+2/equivalent (PCM – a minimum of 60% aggregate) & English – a minimum of 50% in 10th/+2. For SC/ST candidates, a 5% relaxation in eligibility marks; however, it will not apply to English Marks.
English	At least 50% marks in English as a separate subject, in either 10th or 12th standard. No relaxation for SC/ST candidates.
Physical fitness and Medical Criteria	The candidate should be physically fit with 6/6 eyesight without visual aids and no color blindness or night blindness, as specified by DG Shipping.

There are a host of Institutes offering this merchant navy program, the notable ones being:

• Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET), Chennai
• Tolani Maritime Institute
• T.S. Chanakya
• Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Liverpool

HND Nautical Science

HND stands for the Higher National Diploma. This is a two-year course conducted in liaison between an Indian Institute and one in the UK. The first 39-40 weeks of the course are spent studying at an Institute in India, whereas the next 39-40 weeks are spent at an Institute in the UK.

Deck cadets in the merchant navy must sail for a minimum of 15 months after completing the course for the deck officer cadetship.

A 3-month 2nd Mate Preparatory course must be undertaken at the deck cadets’ respective Institute. Upon clearing the examination conducted by the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), the Cadet is awarded the 2nd Mate UK license to become a certified deck officer. The notable HND courses of the merchant navy are conducted by:

• AMET University, Chennai, in collaboration with South Tyneside College, UK
• International Maritime Institute, Noida, in collaboration with Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Scotland

Criteria	Requirements
Academic	A pass in 10+2 or its equivalent examination with minimum of 60% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics group, and at least 50% in English at 10th or 12th standard.
Medical Standard	Candidate should be physically fit for sea service under standard norms, with minimum unaided vision 6/6 in each eye, and with no colour blindness.

B.S. Nautical Technology

This is a 3+1-year course available only in India. The degree in question here is offered by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, and is offered in two other institutes in India. The first three years of the merchant navy course are spent in the institute, where a variety of subjects are taught extensively. The final year is devoted to an internship on board a vessel as a deck cadet for at least 12 months.

The internship period is crucial as the degree is only conferred when an individual finishes his sea time.

The 2nd Mate license is obtained after finishing the mandatory sea time upon clearing the MMD (Mercantile Marine Department) examinations. A total of 48 subjects are covered in the study period of 3 years, a detailed list of which can be obtained from the website/brochure of the institutes concerned. The following are the institutes in India that offer this merchant navy program to become a deck officer:

• Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI), Pune
• RL Institute of Nautical Sciences (RLINS), Madurai

Responsibilities of a Deck Officer

• Standing Bridge Watch, plotting course, using GPS, radar, and electronic aids to ensure the ship stays on the right course and avoids collisions.
• Oversee maintenance of life-saving equipment and firefighting equipment, ensuring adherence to maritime safety regulations (STCW) and coordinating safety drills.
• Supervising the loading, stowing, securing, and discharging of cargo.

Essential Skills for a Deck Officer

Beyond academic knowledge, a Deck Officer must possess crucial soft skills, including-

• The ability to take charge of a watch, manage a diverse crew, and make quick, informed decisions.
• Maintaining focus during long periods of watchkeeping, especially at night or in rough weather.
• Working with crew members from various nationalities and backgrounds.
• Proficiency in emergency procedures such as search and rescue, firefighting, and damage control.

Choosing the right path to becoming a Deck Officer in the merchant navy can play a vital role in having a solid kick-start to the career. Apart from good memories and an unforgettable college life, a proper institute that caters to your requirements can help an individual develop the right attitude towards this line of work. Lastly, the exact deck officer job description or deck officer salary mainly depends on the shipping company.

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