Sail into a challenging career on the high seas

A career in the navy is usually most appealing to those who love the elements. Braving turbulent weather and spending long bouts away from family are par for the course for those who are keen to embrace opportunities for discovery and adventure. 

A sailor’s life is one of continuous learning. To climb the ladder, a sailor must accumulate the required work experience and must complete the corresponding courses that is mandatory for each post. 

There is a course to complete for every promotion. Bharath Selvaraj, a Third Officer working for a private shipping company, says, “My role comprises navigational operations. I spend most of my time on the bridge studying navigation charts and ensure that the ship stays true to the course.”

Students who opt for a career in sailing will get immense exposure at a very young age. A ship is a professional set up. Every aspect is organised to the last detail with thorough guidance from senior officers. Those who enroll learn many languages as they travel from one country to another. A sailor would have visited an average of 15 to 20 countries before turning 30. 

“The most difficult part is spending long periods away from family. The job will  take a toll on them too. Based on personal experience, family members tend to worry about the perils that could befall one on the seas. They tend to forget that we are trained to overcome these adverse situations. Sailors, over time, accumulate knowledge on what the safest routes to travel on are,” says Bharath.

He refutes the common misconception that sailors cannot lead a normal life or raise a family. “This is not true. Most sailors work on a contract basis and most contracts usually last about six months. Sailors are allowed to take a break of up to three months between contracts. It is also not uncommon to see families on board a ship. If a sailor’s better half is up to the task, they can travel together on the ship,” adds Bharath.

Students can either become a navigational officer or a marine engineer. There are dedicated courses for each stream. Apart from this, sailors looking to settle down in life can opt for the managing section of a shipping firm. 

While life as a sailor might offer a lucrative career path, there have been sordid tales of broken dreams. The profession is highly dependent on global trade. Recession can entail reduced  employment opportunities.

To find employment as a sailor one must first have a graduate degree, a BSc in nautical science or a BE in marine engineering. Students who study marine engineering will also be able to branch out to other streams of engineering as the course covers all the basics.