Do you want to be the captain of your own destiny? As you prepare for this challenging career, you will study subjects related to navigation and seamanship, law and human resources. You will learn about issues relating to the carriage of cargoes, consumer goods in containers, vehicles on the car decks, passengers on their sun decks ? all these rely on expertise and professionalism to bring them safely to port.

Nautical sciences gives you systematic knowledge and practical skills of nautical technology and shipping management required for merchant marine deck officers. The programme encourages students to develop their leadership skills for becoming a captain.

What do i have to do?

Much of the work done on ships is done far from the sight of land. The navigator is responsible for knowing where the ship is and for obeying the ?rules of the road? for ships.

The deck officers, namely, captain, first mate, second mate, third mate and pilot are responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel while at sea and have to observe various national and international codes of conduct concerning sea transportation. At sea, each officer will usually take responsibility for two ?watches? ? four-hour periods of bridge duty ? every 24 hours. Watch-keeping officers must navigate to a course previously decided by the captain, check the vessel?s position periodically and alter course to allow for the effects of tides and currents. The ship?s legal and commercial businesses are taken care of by senior deck-officers.

The main tool that the navigator needs when sailing is a nautical chart which shows all land masses, water depths, channels, lights, buoys and other navigation aids, hazards such as reefs, rocks and sand bars as well as any prominent features visible from the water. Modern vessels have access to a variety of electronic methods of position-finding. These systems use electronic signals to measure the range and bearings from the ship to a set of known points. The RADAR (Radio Direction and Ranging) sends out an electronic pulse, which is reflected off other ships, the land, and tall buildings.

The most common navigation tool these days is the Global Positioning System or GPS. This system is based on measuring distances from the ship to a set of satellites that have been placed in orbit.

International regulations also require compliance with stringent regulations regarding fire protection, fire-fighting and lifesaving equipment, watercraft integrity and stability, vessel control, navigation safety, crewing and crew competency, safety management and environmental protection.

What should i study?

You should have passed your Senior Secondary Examination (Ten Plus Two) or its equivalent from any government-recognised university/ board with at least 60 per cent aggregate marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics (PCM) and at least 50 per cent marks in English (either in Class X or Class XII), having passed these examinations in the first attempt. You should be between 17 ?20 years of age.

What next?

The job prospects for a self-motivated, independent and healthy young person are good. On successful completion of the degree, you can be employed by shipping companies that are members of the International Maritime Organisation. Employment opportunities are high on Indian and foreign flag vessels and the requirement is growing.

With the completion of sea training and the grant of the licence, you can be employed by maritime and associated industries as deck officers, shipping agents or inspectors, marine insurance adjusters or underwriters, port or warehouse managers, etc. Some enter computing and civil service or graduate education. Whether at sea or on land, nautical studies graduates are pursuing successful careers because of their strong leadership and sense of responsibility fostered through rigorous academic learning and practical experience. Trained Indian Merchant Navy officers are in great demand the world over.

where to study

• T. S. Chanakya, Karave, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400706

• R.L. Institute of Nautical Sciences (RLINS), TVR Nagar, Aruppukottai, Madurai 625022 Website: www. rlinstitute.com.

• Tolani Maritime Institute, Talegaon- Chakan Road, Induri, Talegaon, Pune 410 507. Website: www.tolani.edu.

• Academy of Maritime Education & Training, AMET Campus, 135, East Coast Road, Kanathur 603112. Website: www.ametindia.com