Duties Of Fitter in Merchant Navy

Who is a Fitter in the Merchant Navy?

Fitter in the Merchant Navy is an important job position on board ships that requires great skill and expertise. Fitters help construct, maintain, and repair all kinds of ships, including container ships, bulk carriers, icebreaker ships, and tankers. 

Fitters also work onboard offshore oil rigs and offshore vessels. Navy fitters work onboard aircraft carriers, submarines and other naval vessels. They have experience in carpentry, welding and handling steel, copper, and other metals.

Fitters’ work is challenging, involving onboard mechanical systems, pumps, engines, generators, heating and cooling systems, etc. On ships, they usually work in the engine department under the supervision and guidance of the second engineer.

There used to be two fitters on board ships, one in the engine and the other in the deck department, called engine fitters and deck fitters. With companies adopting minimum manning requirements to save costs, nowadays, there is usually one fitter onboard vessels; however, occasionally, a company might assign another fitter on the deck side, given the size of the ship or the amount of fabrication work required. 

Duties & Responsibilities of Fitters on Ships

Fitters are experts in handling ship machinery and equipment to ensure a vessel’s integrity and seaworthiness. They can also operate forklifts and overhead cranes and work according to the engineering drawings. Fitters also handle onboard piping systems, elevators, and even hydraulic systems. 

Fitters can work with drill presses, benders, and hydraulic sheers and inspect, maintain, test and repair hoists.

Some of their duties or responsibilities are listed below:

• Work as per the order of the 2nd engineer onboard the ship
• Receive work instructions from the Chief Officer if there is some work on the deck side
• Ensure that all mechanical equipment on the ship is working properly.
• Safely use, store and handle equipment used in welding or cutting.
• Prioritise the safety of oneself and others while carrying out the designated tasks.
• Undertake steel, copper, PVC and flange piping.
• Know how to work with blow torches, saws, plasma cutters and grinders.
• Fit all plumbing, sewer and HVAC Systems adequately.
• Ability to read engineering prints or drawings correctly and work with exact measurements.
• Construct skids, boat bumpers, ladders, and walkways.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces or at heights and during adverse weather.
• In some companies, they are responsible for keeping inventory of welding equipment and gases onboard ships.
• They should know all the workshop tools and how to operate them.

Skills needed to be a fitter 

Emphasis on minute details: To be a fitter in the merchant navy, one has to pay close attention to details. Even a tiny mistake in the measurement or one wrong cut might compromise the vessel’s safety and functionality. 

Stable hands: One should have a steady hand to hold and work efficiently with heavy equipment. 

Manual Strength: This is important as fitters have to work with heavy metal, which they might have to lift during welding or cutting. 

Eligibility Criteria to Become a Fitter in India (6-month GP rating Course)

To become a fitter, one must pursue a 6-month GP Rating Course.

Educational: At least 40% marks from a recognised board are needed in English, Science, and Maths in 10th or 12th Class.

A minimum of 40% marks in English in 10th/12th standards is necessary.

Candidates wanting to do a pre-sea GP rating course for fitters/welders must pass a 2-year ITI Course certified by the Department of Vocational Education and Training/ National Council of Vocational Training as a fitter/machinist/mechanist/welder/turner with a minimum of 40% total marks in the final year of the ITI Course. 

Age: Candidates should be between the ages of 17.5 and 25.

Medical: Candidates must be physically fit, per the Merchant Shipping Guidelines. Vision must be normal in both eyes ( 6/6) with normal eye movement and no colour blindness.

After completing the GP Rating Course and obtaining the ITI Certification, you can join as a trainee fitter on a merchant ship. Usually, you have to complete at least 3 contracts to get promoted to the position of a fitter.

Also, after completing 3 years at sea as a trainee or fitter, one can also apply for a Class IV Certificate of Competency to become a Marine Engineer.

In many countries, fitters must complete a formal training course or apprenticeship in mechanical engineering or marine technology. Fitters also hold licences or certifications, such as a Merchant Mariner Credential or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

Fitter Salary in Merchant Navy

A ship fitter is a vital position in a ship’s engineering department. The salaries of ship fitters vary according to the Shipping Company, the type of the ship and working experience. Fitters with more experience can also be promoted to higher positions, such as supervisors, which come with greater responsibilities and higher pay. 

Another determining factor is job location, as fitters who work in New York, Hawaii, or Alaska tend to earn more due to the high cost of living in these cities compared to fitters who work in states with a low cost of living.

Per Payscale data, fitters in the maritime sector earn more than those in offshore manufacturing or transportation sectors. Additionally, fitters who work on offshore platforms earn more due to the high risks involved in the work. 

The salary of merchant navy fitters usually ranges from $1400 to $2000 USD per month. Per the data on Payscale, a fitter with less than one year of experience earns around $25,000 annually. Fitters with 10 to 20 years of experience earn about $65,000 annually.

Conclusion

Fitter in the Merchant Navy plays a vital role by ensuring all the mechanical equipment and other systems work efficiently on a ship. Fitters work with several tools and metals while maintaining and repairing. The job requires a lot of skill and expertise since proper carpentry or welding is essential for the ship to be seaworthy.

You might also like to read-

• What is the Difference between Merchant Navy and Defence Navy?
• 10 Reasons Why a Career in Merchant Navy is Unlike Any Other
• Joining The Merchant Navy After Class 12th in India
• 4 Ways To Become A Deck Officer in Merchant Navy
• 36 Websites to Find Merchant Navy Jobs Online

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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