Joining Merchant Navy - Graduate Marine Engineering

Shipping is the backbone of international trade, carrying over 90% by volume and 80% by value of the world trade. Without shipping, the import and export of goods on the scale necessary for the modern world would not be possible. There are over 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally, transporting most kinds of cargo. India is a large manpower supplier to the international shipping industry especially in the officers segment and is reputed for providing highly qualified and well trained personnel to work on foreign owned merchant ships.

Expert opinion and statistical forecast suggests that Indian Officers will continue to be in demand in the foreseeable future. Merchant Navy is a rewarding career, both financially and professionally. The nature of a job at sea presents unmatched demands and challenges, providing a fulfilling career choice. Self reliance and resourcefulness will become a part of your personality. You will be required to employ both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills to meet the challenges of the sea. Life at sea can be tough. The work is strenuous and physically demanding. The benefits however, include a satisfaction as an officer, working on a globalized platform, of being a world traveler, a very handsome salary and a sense of belongingness to one of the finest global professions and truly international perspective.

What is GME?

GME means Graduate Marine Engineering and a candidate who completes GME is known as a graduate marine engineer.

In simple terms this course is the minimum requirement for a candidate completing B.E (Mechanical) to join as a Engineering officer in the Merchant Navy. After the completion of this course the candidate will be sent for on-board training as a Fifth Engineer.

ME is a One year residential course which imparts practical knowledge and strict discipline to the trainee. One has to throw his laziness and ego out of the window in order to complete the course. This course basically deals with understanding, familiarizing and overhauling of the machinery found on-board a ship. It teaches how to adjust to the life at sea. One has to wash his own clothes, deal with all the problems, be punctual, be studious and be mentally strong. There is no chance for a laid-back attitude in this field, and the course ensures the candidate is ready for a career at sea.

The basic structure of the GME course is as follows :

Course Duration :         1 year

Number of subjects covered : 24 theory (approx.)
                                                        Simulation courses
                                                STCW courses
                                                Workshop
                                                Ship familiarization

Attendance :                                     100% attendance compulsory

Punctuality :                                      Must be punctual all the time

Holidays :                                         Limited

Freedom :                                         Limited

Food :                                              Veg/ Non-veg alternate days

Exams :                                            Two semester exams

Difficulty Level :    7/10

On successful completion of this course the candidate will be given a Indian CDC and also will be exempted from writing the Part-A of Class four examination. The candidate will be then called by his sponsoring company and will be given the post of a Fifth engineer on-board. For more information on the career growth and the examinations to be cleared after the first sail as a Fifth engineer

Life of a Marine Engineering Officer

A marine engineer has to work in the most hostile conditions on-board. The engine room is the heart of the ship and this is where a marine engineer spends most of his working hour shifts. The engine room is the bottom most compartment in the ship, right above the ships floor. This means that the engine room is literally under water and is filled with machinaries all around. You have the Engine, heat exchangers, compressors, fresh water generators, pumps in the engine room.The exhaust from the engine and other machines makes the environment pretty hot. The engine room may be exposed to temperatures of 40°C to 50°C. These conditions make the life of a marine engineer a challenge.

A day is divided into six watches of four hours each. A watch basically means maintenance of all the machinaries on-board. During a watch the marine engineer checks if the machine is working properly, if it is overheating and so on. It is the responsibility of the engineer on watch to keep all the machines in proper working conditions. Due to the rapid increase of automation in this field the chief engineer generally keeps the engine running in auto mode at night and if there is any problem in the engine room the a alarm sounds which will alert the chief engineer, and if he doesn't respond within three minutes then the alarm will sound in the second engineers cabin.

The Fifth engineer is accompanied by the senior engineers during watch-keeping, and is under the direct supervision of the second engineer. This is the period where a trainee learns the actual trade. Usually the training period on-board for a GME graduate as a Fifth engineer is of eight to nine months.

Career growth as an Marine Engineering officer

The carrier of a Marine Engineer begins with GME course, after the 1 year course the candidate will get Part-A certificate of Class-4 exam. Then he will have to collect his CDC ( Continuous Discharge Certificate ), this will make him eligible to join a ship and from here the journey begins.

If everything goes well then one can become a chief engineer in 8-10 years.The journey will be dangerous, dirty, difficult the 3-D's of Marine Engineering but the journey will be worth it.

Top DG appovered colleges for GME in India

A candidate wanting to peruse GME should first check whether the college is approved by the Director General of Shipping (INDIA). Only D.G approved colleges should be selected for any Merchant Navy related course.

Here is a list of top colleges approved by D.G shipping which admit Sponsored/Non-sponsored candidates

M.E.T.I - Cochin Shipyard Limited
Institute Of Maritime Studies - (IMS GOA)
AMET University
Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy
Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies
M.E.R.I Mumbai
Great Eastern Maritime Academy
CMET - Chennai
Garden Reach - Kolkata

These colleges accept candidates with or without sponsorship, but its preferable to join a college with sponsorship. A non sponsored candidate may be assisted by the college to get sponsorship upon the completion of the one year GME course.

Eligibility Criteria for GME course

Here is the Eligibility criteria for a candidate to pursue GME in any D.G approved college in India :

Graduation in BE /B TECH (Mechanical Engineering) with minimum marks of 50% aggregate in Degree. (Some colleges require 55%-60% aggregate)

Minimum 50% marks in English subject in 10th or 12th or in Degree Exam conducted by a recognized board or University

Age Limit - 28 years

Marital Status - Unmarried

Eyesight Criteria - Distance vision (unaided): 6/12 in each eye; or 6/9 in better eye and 6/18 in other eye. Normal colour vision

Medical Fitness - Candidates should be healthy and physically fit for sea service. Candidates will have to undergo a full medical check up through our Panel Doctor approved by D.G.S hipping.

TO JOIN BOOK STUDY MATERIALS
"THE FIRST STEP IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY"
HERE U CAN GET FOLLOWINGS :
- GME TESTS SYLLABUS
- QUESTION PAPERS
- IMPORTANT & EXPECTED QUESTIONS' BANK
- SPONSORSHIP PREPARATION KITS
- USEFUL INFORMATIONS ABOUT THIS