Top 10 Myths about Merchant Navy

Myths and misconceptions about marine careers are common. Myths about the merchant navy are especially prevalent. Because of this misinformation, many young people become dissatisfied with the merchant navy and leave. It is critical for those in the industry to dispel such negative perceptions.

False promises made by unscrupulous agencies, marine institutes, and training centers are responsible for such disappointments. These institutes entice young people with inaccurate advertisements promising guaranteed placements and high pay.

People with no experience or less knowledge of this industry get ensured by the lure of a promising career in the shipping industry. While it is true that the Merchant Navy pays well, it is not without its drawbacks. As with any industry, competition for jobs in the merchant navy is also challenging.

The jobs are also complicated and often dangerous. It is essential to understand that while a career in the Merchant Navy may appear glamorous to outsiders, it is fraught with risks, solitude, and hard work that are not for everyone.

A "Merchant Navy" means a fleet of merchant ships and commercial ships registered in a given country that is not used for military purposes. The merchant navy's ships and crew are part of a country's commercial shipping. A career in the merchant navy is a difficult one.

Sailing on an open sea is a life-changing experience no other profession can match. Working on a variety of ships as officers, engineers, or ratings is the most common type of merchant navy job.

In this blog, we are going to look into "Top 10 Myths about Merchant Navy", so here are the myths as follows:

Myth 1. Seafarers Earn Lots of Money: 

Probably the most common aspect of a conversation with a misinformed individual, almost everybody thinks that we're cash cows that get paid a huge amount of money. Yes, the pay is good. However, it is comparable to the pay that individuals receive after obtaining a good MBA/Master's degree and landing a respectable job (Of course, after certain years down the line in their careers).

It is true that the starting pay is significantly higher than what one would receive at sea, but the gap closes over time. Furthermore, people on shore should not forget the hardships a seafarer must endure to earn that kind of money—time away from family, living at the mercy of nature, difficult labor onboard, and so on. However, we do not have to pay taxes, which is entirely appropriate (tax rules vary between countries)!

You may like to read this article: 13 Advantages of Joining Merchant Navy in India

Myth 2. You are ineligible to join the merchant navy if you wear glasses:

Even if you wear glasses, you can join the navy if you meet certain requirements. Explanation: You can join the merchant navy if you have good eyesight and meet the following requirements: You should have 6/6 vision in both eyes (with visual aids); you should not be colorblind. If you want to be a Nautical Officer or an Engineering Officer, you can use corrective lenses, but the maximum permissible limits for Distant Unaided Vision are 6/12 in each eye or 6/9 in the better eye & 6/18 in the other eye. If you meet the requirements listed above, you are eligible to join the navy. Rules may vary across different countries.

Myth 3. Seafarers Frequently Drink Too Much: 

The whole world seems to believe that seafarers are habitual drunkards. Furthermore, they believe that the alcohol on board is free up to a certain point! This idea lends credence to seafarers consuming a lot of alcohol. What appears to be overlooked are the random alcohol tests conducted on board. It is also forgotten that drinking impairs severe judgment and that mistakes at sea can endanger the lives of everyone on board.

Although the alcohol onboard is very cheap, this does not give seafarers the freedom to consume it freely. Drinking on board is completely consistent with the company's alcoholic beverage policy; additionally, the availability of liquor on merchant ships has now decreased.

However, not everyone is permitted to drink; cadets and trainees are not permitted. No liquor will be on any of the Indian shipping company's ships. Furthermore, due to increasingly stringent regulations, most ships are becoming alcohol-free zones. However, seafarers are people, and their work is so physically and mentally demanding that they may find solace in drinking.

Myth 4. Piracy is a constant threat to seafarers:

Piracy is a major threat to seafarers but only occurs in certain areas. The IMO and other authorities have identified these as piracy hotspots. When vessels transit or arrive in those areas, special precautions are taken to avoid hijacking, such as piracy drills, citadels, razor wire rigging, triple watch systems, armed guards, and sailing in convoys.

Kidnapping, hijacking, and violent treatment are common in the Gulf of Aden and West African regions. Pirate attacks in other countries are mostly about stealing and robbing.

In terms of piracy incidents worldwide, the frequency of occurrence decreases year after year. International authorities are taking precautions to avoid such occurrences. Because not all ships travel in pirate-infested areas, the belief that pirates constantly attack them is exaggerated.

However, a single pirate attack garners massive media attention, giving the impression that pirates constantly threaten seafarers.

Myth 5. Seafarers make a lot of money:

Anyone searching the Internet or newspapers will find a plethora of advertisements exaggerating the salary packages that a newly recruited sailor earns on merchant ships at sea. Many people have no idea how the ship works and believe that sailors have plenty of time to drink, travel, and relax. It will not be an easy solution at first. It takes approximately 3 to 5 years to obtain a good salary package and more than 12 years to achieve the highest position and pocket the highest salary package. However, seafarers are among the hardest working people on the planet, and they face serious problems on a daily basis.

Myth 6. Seafarers Are Paid Regularly, even on their leaves

The shipping industry is broadly divided into two types of shipping companies. One provides year-round salaries, while the other provides short-term contracts. Both have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Companies that offer year-round salaries mean that you will be paid whether you are at home or on the ship. However, salaries are typically averaged based on industry standards. They have fixed contracts, such as four months on and two months off, and so on. You also have other benefits.

These contracts are typically offered by highly owned companies and are ideal for seafarers seeking long-term employees who are unconcerned about publicity because promotions are slow. However, in the other type of job, you are only paid for the time you have worked for the company. You will no longer be paid after that point. However, your salary is high in comparison to others, and you are not permanently associated with any company. You are free to stay at home for as long as you want after your contract expires.

There is no 6-month rule for water and a 6-month rule for land. Your suitability determines it. Therefore, you will not receive any salary after signing your contract. You will only receive a salary during your vacation if you have a salary throughout the year.

Myth 7. Merchant Navy Personnel Must Be Excellent Swimmers:

People believe that being a good swimmer is necessary if they work on ships or in jobs that require them to travel across oceans to save others in the event of a mishap. The truth is that you do not have to be a swimmer to be considered for that position. Even if you are an expert swimmer, you cannot save people and swim across the ocean for hours. In the event of an accident, numerous safety measures, such as lifeboats and life jackets, are used. So there isn't much of a difference between being a good or bad swimmer in the Merchant Marine. Swimming is, therefore, not required, and you may apply without hesitation.

Myth 8. Seafarers live in luxury and get to visit new countries:

Seafarers are exposed to new ports and countries as a result of trading patterns, but this does not imply that they have the freedom to travel at their leisure.

Explanation: There is a lot of work on board ships, and sailors are exhausted by the end of the day after dealing with all kinds of tasks. Due to early port discharge, there are numerous restrictions on shore leave, leaving little to no time to enjoy shore leave. Remember that with higher positions comes greater responsibility. Captains and other senior officers must maintain constant vigilance and are frequently OOW. In addition, they are in charge of safety and security, cargo operations, navigation, crew management, and legal compliance.

Myth 9. Seafarers Are Required to Fight Wars:

People frequently mix up the merchant navy and the defense navy. Many people believe that everyone who goes to sea goes to fight wars. The merchant navy is an auxiliary entity that may be called upon to assist the navy in an emergency. On a daily operational basis, however, it has NOTHING to do with the navy or the country's armed forces in general. The merchant navy is simply a commercial operation wherein the transfer of goods or cargo takes place across the world. The merchant navy, like any other business where goods are exchanged for monetary gains, involves the same process where goods are handed over from A to B for money. So, please don't mix it up with the navies.

Myth 10. Seafarers Are Constantly Seasick:

"Don't you ever get seasick?" When a sailor proudly declares that he works on a ship, this is one of the most common questions. Few people are affected by seasickness. Isn't it necessary for every seafarer to feel seasick? Seasickness, like motion sickness, is subjective and affects people differently. No, it's not a big deal. People get it and then gradually get over it. Every sailor may experience homesickness at some point in their careers, but there is no guarantee that everyone will experience seasickness.

Conclusion

Seafarers are neither superhumans nor endowed with divine abilities. We are normal people with needs and desires, just like everyone else. Like you, they go through the ups and downs of life, especially in their workplace.

Every type of job has advantages and disadvantages. Before applying for a job, you should research to determine what is true and false.

Seafarers must work extremely hard in extreme weather conditions and risk their lives. As a result, ordinary people must understand the merchant marine and life at sea; without seafarers, the entire world's economy would come to a halt!