How to become an Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy ?
In this post we will discuss about a merchant navy rank Able Bodied Seaman or AB in detail. We will also discuss about how to become an Able Bodied Seaman in merchant navy.
In this article we will also learn about the GP rating course in detail.
Mostly Asked Questions about Able Bodied Seaman :
(1) How to become an Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy ?
(2) How to become an Ordinary Seaman ?
(3) What is the salary of an Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy ?
(4) What is the salary of an Ordinary Seaman ?
(5) Which are the top colleges in India for the GP rating course ?
(6) What is the eligibility criteria for becoming an Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy ?
(7) What is the eligibility criteria for becoming an Ordinary Seaman ?
(8) Who can do the GP rating course ?
(9) What is the career path for an Ordinary Seaman ?
(10) What is the career path for an Able Bodied Seaman ?
Eligibility Criteria for becoming an Able Bodied Seaman :
For becoming an Ordinary Seaman or an Able Bodied Seaman on ship, one must do a GP rating course after 10th standard.
This GP rating course or General Purpose rating course is a 6 months long course.
The eligibility criteria for GP rating course is given below –
(1) The candidate must have passed 10th standard with at least 40 %.
(2) The age of the candidate must be between 17.5 to 25 years.
(3) The candidate must have a good eyesight.
(4) The candidate should be mentally and physically fit.
Top colleges in India for becoming an Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy :
(1) B. P Marine Academy, Panvel.
(2) The Great Estern Institute of Maritime Studies, Lonavala.
(3) Anglo Estern Maritime Academy, Karjat.
(4) Maritime Training Institute, Mumbai.
(5) T. S Rahaman, Navi Mumbai.
Career path for Able Bodied Seaman in Merchant Navy :
After passing 10th with at least 40 %, the candidate can apply for the General Purpose Rating course.
After completion of this 6 months long course, the candidate can join the ship as an Ordinary Seaman.
With appropriate experience, the Ordinary Seaman gets promoted to the Able Bodied Seaman.
The ordinary seaman and able bodied seaman can also appear for the second mate’s COC exam, after completion of 36 months of sea time.
The ordinary seaman performs the general deck jobs like cleaning, painting, chipping and assisting in cargo watch.
The Able Bodied Seaman also does the above mentioned jobs but he is a dedicated watch personnel first. He keeps the bridge watch and cargo watch.
Salary of the Able Bodied Seaman :
(1) Ordinary Seaman – USD 300 – USD 800.
(2) Able Bodied Seaman – USD 800 – USD 1500.
(3) In addition to the above fixed salary, the ordinary seaman as well as the able bodied seaman also gets the additional overtime.
Hello. This is Alkesh Patil. I am a Marine Engineer with 10+ years of experience in Merchant Navy. In this blog, I will try to provide some basic information about merchant navy and life onboard ship.
image sources
- IMG_0703: Image Credit - Google | Image by Flickr
