Mariner Interview

We don’t give shipping the credit it deserves, because 90% of the world trade happens through shipping. Shipping basically runs our world !

Prakash Murugesan, our next pathbreaker,  is currently pursuing his Master’s in Maritime Management.

Prakash talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his offshore stints and shipping experiences working as Second Officer, supporting the oil & energy industry.

For students, a career in sailing might not be for everyone, but if you opt for it, there isn’t a better way to sail across the world !

Prakash, Your background? 

I was born and brought up in a small village near Palani and I am from an agricultural family background. I have studied Bsc Nautical Science and since 10^th standard I made up my mind to become a mariner. But that time I was not much aware of shipping and there was none from my area to guide me. But fortunately, my brother’s client guided me aboth his sons are in shipping. 

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

I have completed a Bsc in Nautical Science. This is for students who want to work on the deck side and later become Captain of the ship. To join the Engine Department, students need to pursue BE in Marine Engineering, where they can become Marine Engineer and go up to the post of Chief Engineer onboard. Also, students who have done ECE can take up marine ETO course and join as Tr. ETO onboard and later as ETO.(Electrical Officer).

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional career as a Mariner?

My passion to be a mariner started as a small discussion between the friends during my 10^th std. My interest grew more as we know that we can travel around the world and get paid a huge salary in shipping. But I was not sure how to get into it and which college to choose to pursue my studies. Luckily, I got a reference through my brother’s client in Pondicherry. He guided me in selecting the college and the right course as there are 3 departments onboard a ship. 

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

To be frank, I did not plan much prior to joining the marine industry. I only browsed details to learn about the basics of shipping and the career path to become a captain. To become a captain, the cadet needs to clear 3 examinations. First is a second mate after 12 months of sea time as a cadet. Then, Chief Mate after 18 months of Seagoing experience as Third/ Second Officer. Finally, Master examination after sailing as Chief Mate for 12 months.  

All the ships I worked on were different types of offshore support vessels, like in Triton I worked on Ocean Towing Vessel (We tow a barge that carries cargo), in Valentine I worked on Anchor handling vessel (Anchor handling for pipe laying barge) as well as pipeline survey, in Shan Ship I had sailed on oil spill recovery supply vessel ( we supplied cargo to oil rigs at sea), in seaways its ocean towing/ Anchor handling, in Rawabi its oil platform maintenance vessel ( we carry equipment that is required for oil platform maintenance) and in Allianz we supplied cargo to oil rigs and platforms.

How did you get your first break?

After graduation, I found it very difficult to get my first ship due to the recession at that time (out of 200 cadets in my batch, only 48 of them got placed). After 7 months of struggle, I finally managed to get a first ship through a recruitment service. 

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

First Challenge was the college fees. It was around a lakh per semester in 2011 (Not sure about now). I managed to get a bank loan to overcome that.

Second challenge I faced was unemployment after completing the degree though I got good grades, which happened because of the recession. I finally got a job after around 7 months of struggle by directly visiting the companies in Mumbai.

Where do you work now? 

I currently quit shipping to do my Master’s in Maritime Management. But I will share my experience while I was onboard.

As a Second or Navigating Officer Onboard a Ship, my foremost duty is Ship Navigation and Preparing Passage Plan, Maintaining Navigation charts/ Publications, Bridge Equipments( Radar, ECDIS, GPS, AIS etc) including GMDSS (It’s a Communication Equipment). In addition, I do maintain and inspect the Life saving Appliances like Lifeboat, Life raft, life buoys, Pyrotechnics etc. and fire fighting equipments. 

Also, we assist captains in maintaining ISM documentation, preparing daily weekly and monthly reports to the office. It is a Document of Compliance (DOC) – a document issued to a Company which complies with the requirements of the ISM Code. International Safety Management (ISM) Code – the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Vessels and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the Organization by resolution A.

During my offshore stints, it’s mostly 6 hrs on / 6 hrs off duty. So our daily routine is to supply cargo to the Oil rigs stationed at sea. 

Regarding learning, during cadetship we should show interest genuinely and take guidance from all officers in order to learn their duties. Self learning will help most of the time like reading manuals, because we are responsible to do all our duties independently once we join onboard after obtaining a license. Of Course we can call the captain incase of any doubt if we face any difficult situation, but that doesn’t relieve you because it’s better to keep learning and doing the job perfectly rather than calling the Master every time.

How does your work benefit society? 

90% of the world trade happens through shipping. Though seafarers account for less than 0.1% of India’s population, they bring in 35 to 40% of the country’s total foreign exchange because the Export- Import business depends on shipping. Everything we use in daily life like Petroleum products, Fertilizers, Electronic goods etc are brought to the country by Seafarers. 

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

I was in the Oil and Gas Industry and working on offshore ships. So for us maneuvering the ship without Auto or Dynamic Position systems (Handling or Driving the Ship manually) is a big challenge and it’s a dream of every officer to learn Manual Ship Handling. Likewise, when I got my first chance to handle the ship manually, it was still my most memorable experience.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

1. My advice to students is not to blindly join any college wthat promises 100% placement, it’s better to join through the Sponsorship program( Companies provide only placement; mostly fees must be paid by the students). Many Shipping companies are providing that in India like Maersk, MSC, Executive, Anglo Eastern etc.. Please browse for more Info. 

2. Some cadets tend to face hardships during training onboard because of the new environment, Seasickness, homesickness, restlessness, strict officers/Master etc.. So they should be mentally strong enough to overcome this and focus on learning to become a good officer or Engineer in future. 

Future Plans?

My Future plan is to do a Master’s in Maritime Management and join an onshore job in Commercial shipping.