SOCIETY

Career counsel: The seafarers

Love the high seas and the distant ports of call? May be the Merchant Navy will suit you fine. Check out some career options for women in this field. (Disclaimer: This article does not cover the career option of high-sea piracy on account of workplace hazards)

HARPREET KAUR

31 July 2004

The fleet of ships plying the Seven Seas carrying cargo, and occasionally passengers, makes for the merchant navy as they are appropriately called. They are also regarded as the non-combatant commercial fleet.

A career in this field guarantees a visit to every port in the world, long voyages, and a life potentially full of adventure with excellent pay and a lucrative career. An entrenched male bastion since its inception, the ship is regarded as a 'she' - who takes care of those who serve on board on all the voyages. Women have finally broken into the field, though meeting or finding them is like searching for chocolate in fudge.

From being just passengers, or the ones to name a ship by breaking a champagne bottle on its bough, women have made their presence felt as complete working members of ships - from being full-time pirates or privateers like Anne Bonny, an Irish pirate who was active in the 1720s and Mary Read, an English pirate who was active during the 1710s.

In Norway, Britain and Germany, many women are seen commanding the ships as Captains as well as training youngsters in a similar capacity. Even husband-and-wife teams have been known to serve on the same ship.

The career follows three years of tough training with fire fighting, bridge handling, navigation, engine room training and learning how to handle all sorts of emergencies with the help of total simulation. Many women in India have entered this field as medical officers, radio officers, teachers of engineering at the training centres and recruiting men for merchant ships.

A few women like Sonika Joshi, Smita Singh, Archana Saxena and Sarvani Misra entered this field and earned the respect of their colleagues as well as teachers, though many still face discrimination. Sometimes, it was just the parents who supported and acted as a bulwark against any and every opposition they faced. They bring a fresh perspective into this ancient profession.

According to the revised standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping as approved by the International Maritime Organisation, it has been recommended that special consideration be given to secure equal access of men and women in all sectors of the maritime industry.

The following positions are open in the merchant navy and those employed are on contractual basis by the shipping companies. Go get them girls!

The classification of the mates on the ship goes thus:

1. DECK OFFICERS: Captain, chief officer, second officer, third officer and other junior officers. All officers here are also called mates - ie; first mate etc.

2. ENGINE DEPARTMENT: Marine engineer, chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer, fourth and fifth engineers, radio officer, electrical officer and other junior engineers.

3. SERVICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Steward Heads - kitchen, laundry, medical, divers, nautical surveyors and other services. The chief steward is the handy man that any ship would be at a loss without.

The Ministry of Surface Transport Government of India takes care of the training needs and also conducts competency exams through the Directorate General of Shipping.

Institutes conducting the courses on Nautical Science and marine engineering:

1. T S Chanakya, Village Karave, Navi Mumbai, tel 27703049. 

2. T S Rehman, Worli, Mumbai, tel: 27212236. 

3. LBS College, Reay Road, Mumbai, tel 23738048. 

4. Directorate General of Shipping, Jahaj Bhavan, Ballard Estate, Mumbai. 

5. Directorate of Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Ray Bunder Trunk Road, Sewri, Mumbai. 

6. IIT, Powai, Mumbai. 7. Indian Marine College, Kachiguda Station road, Hyderabad. 

8. International Marine Communication Centre, 134/3 RH road, Mylapore, Chennai. 

9. Directorate of Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Taratolla road, Kolkata.

HARPREET KAUR