EDITED 2018 : THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF CHANGES IN REGULATION AND ALSO SOME OF THE INFO MIGHT NOT BE ACCURATE DUE TO ME WRITING THIS ARTICLE IN MY JUNIOR YEAR. I'D LIKE TO WARN EVERYONE. NEVER STUDY SEAFARER RELATED COURSES WITH LOAN/PTPTN/OWN MONEY (UNLESS YOU'RE FRICKING RICH). WITHOUT SPONSORSHIP, YOU WILL FIND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SECURE CADETSHIP AND ALSO GETTING YOUR FIRST JOB. COUPLED WITH OIL PRICE GLUT AND COMPETITION FROM CHEAP FOREIGN LABOR, LOCAL SEAFARER FUTURE IN THE INDUSTRY SEEMS BLEAK. EVEN THE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND EXPERIENCED SEAFARER ARE FACING DIFFICULTY FINDING JOB. AND SOME OF MY JUNIORS HAVE BEEN JOBLESS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

From my first thread, this is the new version of it since the last one some facts are outdated.
I'd like to introduce myself. I’m currently a student in one of the few maritime school in Malaysia. I took diploma in marine engineering. The purpose is that i want to encourage more Malaysian into this industry. The reward is good since seafaring command one of the highest paid job for diploma holder.

thread v1 : Begin Your Career As Seafarer V1

First of all, what is seafarer?

Seafarer is a person who carries various duties onboard ships. They will sail with the ship in order to transport goods that the customer want us to deliver. Divided into two department which are Deck Department and Engineering Department.


Benefits of becoming a SEAFARER

1) Rewarding career. Cheapest pay is around RM7500 for fresh graduates of diploma in foreign going ship. For near coastal, it’s about RM4000

2) Experience gained make it easier for you to apply job on oil platform since you have an offshore working experience.

3) Can save a lot of money. onboard ship, no need car. no need to pay rental for accommodation. free meal(every week can eat western). no need money to go to gym. onboard ship, gym is provided. got tv, some ship have internet facilities. some got pool/snooker table.

4) Upon earning your Certificate of Competency, it is as valuable as other certificate of same level such as Steam/Boiler Engineer certificate. Why is that so? Because these kind of certificates/license is not earn by just attending few days of course. To earn this certs, seatime/working experience is needed. These certificates doesn’t only show that you are competent. It’ll show that you are COMPETENT WITH EXPERIENCE as most other certificate doesn’t provide and show how experinced you’re in that current field.


Where can I study the courses?




Definition Of Marine Engineering

Marine engineers are the members of a ship's crew that operate and maintain the propulsion and other systems on board the vessel. Marine Engineering staff also deal with the "Hotel" facilities on board, notably the sewage, lighting, air conditioning and water systems. They deal with bulk fuel transfers, and require training in firefighting and first aid, as well as in dealing with the ship's boats and other nautical tasks- especially with cargo loading/discharging gear and safety systems, though the specific cargo discharge function remains the responsibility of deck officers and deck workers.

Sometimes, they are involved in the design and construction of these complicated systems. New design is mostly included within the naval architecture or ship design. The field is closely related to mechanical engineering, although the modern engineer requires knowledge (and hands on experience) with electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemistry, control engineering, naval architecture, process engineering, gas turbines and even nuclear technology on certain military vessels.

Definiton of Nautical Studies

As of Nautical Studies, you will usually work as person in charge of navigation, cargo loading & discharging, deck maintenance. And lots more.

I’m from engineering dept, so, I’ll try to update more later on.


Department & Rank
If you notice from the rank chart, Chief Engineer is actually the same rank level as of captain. Just that, Captain is the commanding officer in charge of all ship activities. He is head of department for Deck. Chief Engineer on the other hand is the head of department for Engine. Their rank are on the same level so do their payment, but captain commands exceed chief engineer in some matter.



-Credit to Dukerobin-


Salary(ASIAN RATE)



So far that's it for now more update coming soon regarding this matters. updates such career progression, future prospect, type of ship, company name list etc2, will be updated soon. If you have any question regarding this career, feel free to ask

This post has been edited by destroyer: Mar 26 2018, 07:07 PM

I'm currently in my 3rd year of me degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Considering all the options I have here. The pay seems good tbh

What is my career path like if i choose to become a seafarer?

you can take the MEBP prog in alam or singapore maritime academy. this year only 4 people join the course. all of them are sponsored by AET. MEBP program is a 6 month program in alam. after the completion of program, you need to sail for 12 month collecting ur seatime to sit for your license exam. then only you can go for engineer status.

btw. have you any idea how working onboard like? it's not a job for sissy

Yeah, i heard conditions are pretty harsh, staying away from friends and family for months, only having the sea to look at most of the time as well.
As i said, i'm considering my options.

So basically, despite having a degree in Mechanical Engineering, i can still still get my license through the MEBP programme? That was my only concern.
What is AET btw?
I've just came across this link, http://akademilautmalaysia.blogspot.com/20...-programme.html
Is the current programme similar to the one in the link?

u need the seatime to get ur COC. the bridging program is to comply with STCW requirement to equip urself with seamanship. it is also help you to secure sponsorship from shipping company since the cost is about rm27000.

So must know how to swim too?

can a man with diabetes become a seafarer?

A good thread.....I read the V1 since 2009.

So, TS now have finished your diploma????

Only 4 people can join or only 4 people joined?

not necessary when u want to join. but u have to learn and institution like alam do provide swimming class

can. as long it's controllable & manageable.


currently in my final sem. i've sailed from atlantic to caribbean and to pacific. nice voyage~~~


that one i'm not sure. but if i'm not mistaken, application for the course is reducing since most degree grads are not willing to go to sea.

Do your job need to be physically fit???

A very good stamina is required??

that depends. i've seen fat people go onboard also

Haha...but fat people does not mean they have low stamina....

And then for those wearing specs are not allowed to do nautical studies, does this apply to marine engineering??

AET = American Eagle Tankers

a subsidiary of MISC..

yep. nautical if u want to enter alam u cannot wear spec. more accurate is that it is correctable 6/60 if i'm not mistaken.


dats right.

So, for those wearing specs with quite high power, it is not suitable for them....

I am going to encourage my juniors to go for this...

the more the merrier!

However, with the current unstable economy, do you think that those big company will cut down the salary or number of seafarers that they need???

I mean job opportunities.

well... did u know that 90% of world trade go through sea? unless they invent faster and more economical trading method, there'll always be job opportunities for us. we can also proceed for career at shore.

Hmm...I do agree with you.

How about the selection to be a seafarer???

Like which school do you graduate...

that depends. they look into ur academic & health background mozly.

i'm in final sem. ALAM

err..when u said sissy... how tough u hav to be actually to become a seafarer?^^" n can i know wut motivated you to become a seafarer. thx *any facebook account or some picture to share perhaps ?

it's like going into a sauna. except that you HAVE TO WORK. that's for engineer.

for deck, it's a tanning process for 8 hours. EVERYDAY

So, from your point of view, it is a tough job right.

Is there any security guards on the ship and doctors to take care of the crew's health?

yep. it's tough and quite risky. due to hazardous working environment.

security and doctors only available normally on cruise ship.

How if you all get ill ???

we have on shelf medication onboard. and if the case is serious, treatment will be seek once we reach port or in very serious case, air transport such as chopper will be called.

I have a question. If we have degree on ocean science or maritime studies, are we given a chance??

that's too general. be more specific please. the subject learned, etc2.

For example,

Sarjana Muda Sains (Sains Samudera)

Sarjana Muda Sains Gunaan (Teknologi Maritim)

Sarjana Muda Sains (Sains Nautika dan Pengangkutan Maritim)

ooo... u're talking about UMT right.

it's like this. i've never heard of any umt student went sailing. moz of them land on shore career.

Yup, so the sailing one are usually marine engineering and nautical studies?

do merchant ships have some kind of self defense against pirates?

Hey guys, I'm new here.
Between AlAM and SMA, which one is better? And why the fees between these two so different?

MEBP course is changed to MEBC..

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Added on September 24, 2011, 4:22 pmmarine engineering bridging course.. if not mistaken.. so far they hav 3 batch only.. the course duration is 6 months.. its a compress syllabus of the cadet.. which means.. no time for resting..n good sleep


This post has been edited by POP3Y3: Sep 24 2011, 04:22 PM

4th semester DME reporting in from UNIKL,LUMUT..nice n very informative thread TS.

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Added on September 24, 2011, 7:43 pmDestroyer,im sure uve heard about the dual-cadet system. How does it work,bro? My seniors with MAERSK has mentioned it once, but im still blur about it.

This post has been edited by djshank: Sep 24 2011, 07:43 PM

Im not sure you have duel cadets in Malaysia.Mostly India, France and Japan. It's like you learn both, sail 6 months as an Engine Cadet, 6 Months as a deck cadet, then you can choose either one when you're an officer, or both. If you choose both, you need to sail in different ranks, like the French. Most of them used be dual ticket holders.

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Added on October 6, 2011, 10:35 pmNot really, Some uses armed guards but then the issue of what happen if the guard kills someone on the ship due to a fight?

Other uses anti piracy counter measures, but it cant really be discussed since you might be a somalian pirate! ARe you? lol

This post has been edited by Midnightjive: Oct 6 2011, 10:35 PM

Hi has anyone here actually taken this bridging course ? Mind sharing your experiences here ?

Anyone start from OS or junior rating?

i'm graduated with a Chemical Engineering. Do i need to study diploma back in order to go into marine engineering? or i can apply jobs in it?

i'm a self-sponser and just finish the maritime course. may i know where should i look for shipping company that offers cadetship and who should i contact to? thank you.

if u mean working on ship then the answer yes u need to take marine eng course back..but if u mean marine product some company maybe need chemical engineer for research purpose.

icic..thanks! yea if work on the ship..

If you are interested to work onboard ships, maybe you can join the marine engineering bridging programme offered in ALAM. The programme is open to degree holders, especially those from engineering related courses.

All engineering degree holder? i thought it was for mechanical only?

if u guys want a cool info .. please join Komuniti Perkapalan Malaysia at Facebook. There's a lot of document relates on shipping and offshore.

Hi bro i read all the benefits all are great stuff but want to know since you be spending a lot of time at sea with your fellow mates will a Seafarer have a hard time finding a partner bcs im sure majority of Seafarer are male right???

Good topic, glad to know that there are some Malaysians thinking and working out of the box. Just a dampner. Shipping rates have crashed in the past few months. The last time that happened in 2009 after the 2008 financial crisis, shipping companies were laying off staff and parking their ships. Shipping rates for the Asia Europe route fell as much as 90% betweeen 2008 and 2009! Looks like its happening again.

Free bump for maritime industry!

i miss this forum ! this forum inspired me , thanks to destroyer , the previous thread , currently in my 2nd year doing my practical , life at sea? awesome! u will go through different type of life , not as boring as i thought , and being away from family and friends for a few months , its ok .. do join this career , u will be happy once u join the ship .just that life at college kinda sux because of the regiment and seniority thing..bt u will get use to it , and it will make u become mentally and physically fit

How do you find a girlfriend? Haha, and you must be away from your family and friends for so long, can live like that? Just wondering...

havent view this forum a while.,good luck for destroyer n fellow dme senior.,hopefuli u guys pass ur coc d 1st time.,why the f*** dme has to relocate to melaka haha.,damn it, i like it here.,for those who r thinking about applying for alam, better study hard for ur entrance exam.,those who obtained high score will be shortlisted for usmma candidte.,if i'm not mistaken they'll only tell u bout usmma when u alredy admitted to ALAM, so basically if u screw ur entrance exam, dont dream of going to usmma.,.by the way not all is good about usmma,from what i've heard life there gonna be freakin tough!

Graduating from usmma is quite prestigious and recognize besides that who wouldn't want to study in new york city, fully sponsor. it really depends what u want and where do u see yrself in 10 years. i was told that normally those graduated from usmma would not sail for a long time, more to management side for the company. the shipping line is so wide that u can make allot of money from all aspect depending on what COC u are having.

To anyone interested. Here is the link to download the application form for cadet sponsorship programme for 2012.

http://www.alam.edu.my/programmes_csprogramme.php

www.alam.edu.my/upload/databank/Application%20Form%202012.xlsx

Even though it stated the form must be submitted "before 23 December 2011 (Friday) at 5 p.m". There will be another interview after the SPM result announcement. So don't worry if you want to join but missed the first interview.

if u are mentally fit , wont be any problem , if u sailing coastal like me , its gonna be awesome because u going to have broadband coverage at malaysia port ,
so skype is the best option!

Hi, who else is going to the ALAM interview this 20 Jan?

Hi every on here. I am interested into MEBC by ALAM. Is there any requirements for the entry?age 27 still got the chance for entry? After completion of the bridging course, what entitle will be given? For the sponsorship. is it Alam will arrange sponsorship for us when we success enter get into Alam for study the MEBC. Any interview or test taken for the MEBC entry? Your guys informations here is highly appreciated..Thanks and Cheers

I think they dont have the mebc for now.currently the one and only MEBC batch,that i think around 2009 if i'm not mistaken...

Oh, Really? Coz i refer from their training calender that that got organize the MEBC for the first half year n next half year continuous..
Please advise me..thank you

Okay what i know, when i was on ship, one my cadet is MEBC,he said their batch the only and one MEBC.that time, our company superintendant also said no more intake for MEBC as feedback from ship management about bridging cadet quite bad.
I dont know about nowadays maybe they open MEBC again.
If do, please apply asap because it like pisang goreng panas...good luck.

Hi,

Is there any preparatory courses provided by ALAM before the CoC oral exam? what are the courses and fees?

Are those ppl on cargo ships & those holiday cruse ship called Seafarer? And are their salary also same like mentioned?

Yes there are. It is called Diploma in Nautical Studies (DNS) It costs you roughly 70k++ for the course. 3 years. After you finish your semester 6 final exam, then you are able to take the Certificate of Competency (COC) oral exam conducted by marine department.

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Added on January 24, 2012, 11:14 pmThey were also called seafarers, generally they work onboard any ship. About their salary, on cargo ships should be the same because it is a merchant vessel and also depending on its company. Regarding cruise ships, I'm not sure about that.

This post has been edited by galapago: Jan 24 2012, 11:14 PM

hello, i'm interested to be a seafarer and i'm a spm 2011 leaver . but i got some questions to ask. I heard about Alam, PUO and unikl MIMET. My 1st choice is Alam, 2nd is PUO then unikl MIMET. Does PUO and unikl MIMET marine student can be bound by the contract with shipping companies? as in alam. coz my father afraid that i would be a *penganggur* someday. Is unikl MIMET is a good place to study marine eng.? some people say that unikl MIMET is still new and not well recognize (i dunno). Is really PUO cadets is 100% employed? just want to confirm. coz my father just keep *bebel* at me about the employment of this career. sorry for my bad english.

Any help is greatly appreciated, Thanks

dont worry about the job bro , to be honest , me myself a selfpaid cadet , i was worry about it too , now i m sailing for my practical , once u at sea..u pass by singapore strait , then u can see ur job opportunity , now im walking onboard malaysian flag ship and im the only malaysian onboard ..
the no of shipping company and the number of vessel they have is more than the no of coc holder in malaysia.. lol.. just my 5 cent

the cadet program still open or not..can I still submit my application?
im about 150cm only and im 21 ..am i qualified?

Hi guys. i have decided seafaring as my career pathway about half a year ago.

I want to enroll into ALAM but apparently i dont have physics, so i am having difficulties enrolling. I am currently waiting for a reply from Sarawak Maritime Academy which is in about 2 weeks time.

Anyhow I am actually here to inquiry all of you respective users: what channels or how can i secure a sponsorship before i enroll into any of these institutions?


I am really having problems looking for a sponsorship as i know the Diploma in Nautical Studies course can only be completed if the sea training is completed which requires me to secure a sponsorship form a shipping company.

Anyhow any channels to secure a sponsorship with a Singapore based maritime company would also be GREAT as studying Diploma in Nautical Studies in Singapore at Singapore Polytechnic is actually my first choice, though the application's closing soon.



GREATLY APPRECIATE THE HELP AND ADVICE GUYS =)

They will reopen the application after the SPM result is released. Minimum height is 158 cm(ALAM). Try Sarawak Maritime Academy.

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Added on February 1, 2012, 10:44 pmAs for Sarawak Maritime Academy, you need to finish your 1st semester then only can apply for sponsorship (using your 1st sem result) <- That's what the SMA staff told me.

This post has been edited by xcoselete: Feb 1 2012, 10:44 PM

The sponsorship given is offered by Shin Yang Group of Companies (which is the mother company of SMA) if im not mistaken. I would love to have other alternatives other than Shin Yang, not to say they are bad =)


Thank btw xcoselete.

Yeah SMA is a part of Shin Yang company. If you look into Bumi Armada website, they also sponsor SMA students.

This post has been edited by xcoselete: Feb 2 2012, 11:19 AM

hallo seafarers... nice one TS.

info:
Diploma in Nautical Studies (+ WKO) and Diploma in Maritime Technology Engineering (+ WKE) also offered at RANACO EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE (RETI), Kemaman, Terengganu.
their website: http://reti.edu.my/

i have one question.
after the interview at alam,they gave me a conditional letter.
so when they are giving me the cadet letter and also the sponsor?
hope destroyer could help..

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Added on February 7, 2012, 5:49 amor anyone else?

This post has been edited by JT1160: Feb 7 2012, 05:49 AM

i'm not sure about that. for better clarification, you can make a phone call to ALAM directly. their contacts can be found on ALAM website. coz i'm not sure whether i receive any conditional letter oz during my time, i only receive 2 letter. one is for the call for attending interview while the other one is the letter stating which sponsorship i've received.

They will give you the offer letter after the spm result is released.

so mybe in jun or july?
but i'm now 21 years old and using my spm 2008.
did i must wait also?

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Added on February 7, 2012, 7:36 pmso when did they gave u the letter?
i already checked their website and found that they only have one intake per year that is 6 of august. is true?

This post has been edited by JT1160: Feb 7 2012, 07:36 PM

Aik why they gave you the conditional offer letter since youre using actual result? Like destroyer said, better you call ALAM for explanation. Btw, when did you sit for the written test?

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Added on February 7, 2012, 7:44 pm

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Added on February 7, 2012, 7:36 pm
so when did they gave u the letter?
i already checked their website and found that they only have one intake per year that is 6 of august. is true?

[/quote]


They only open one intake per year. You're taking DME/DNS eh?

This post has been edited by xcoselete: Feb 7 2012, 07:44 PM

i dun know, i already tell them that i have the spm.
but in the last page there something to be fax.
anyway i have the written test at 17 of jan.

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Added on February 7, 2012, 7:47 pmdns.
why?

This post has been edited by JT1160: Feb 7 2012, 07:47 PM

I see. Did mine on 20th jan. But I failed the written test Going to sit for the 2nd round of written test somewhere in April.

Last time i want to become Seafarer.. but cannot make it.. cannot stay far away from my gf..

still take a course that related to Seafarer.. working with ex-Seaferer.. design accommodation for seafarer.. most of ex captain here earn more than USD 15k permonth.. they just seat, advise and brief on real vessel operation..

ooo..after the spm result released right..
so u failed the written test.
how many got succeed? what do you take? dns or dme.

Yeah. Applying for DME. Only 11 succeed out of 40++ Btw Im 19 y/o this year. SPM 2010

so those who passed the interview must wait for april interview also eh?

No. Only those who failed and who are really keen to join this field can come again and sit for the written test that will be held in April.

owh.. glad to hear that..

So you're 21 I assume you're an undergraduate?

nope..not interested in further my studies that time..

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Added on February 8, 2012, 1:10 amhow 'bout u?
didnt further studies yet?

This post has been edited by JT1160: Feb 8 2012, 01:10 AM

Currently doing my diploma. But going to drop out if I got a placement in ALAM.

Hello Guys, For the MEBC course held by ALAM, do we need to attend interview or any written test will be given?What is the procedure for MEBC application?as well as the sponsorship. is it easily get ?Thank you

Hi destroyer, i am a fresh graduated degree holder in mechanical engineering, what should i do to become seafarer? How to apply for MEBP?

did'nt think it wasting up your time?
anyway what course do u taking.

How to apply MEBC? Need interview and short test?

i will be dizzy if the wave is too big or strong, am I suitable for this careeer?

http://akademilautmalaysia.blogspot.com/se...ING%20PROGRAMME

Hope this can help. Better call ALAM for more info. Not sure if they still doin MEBP tho.

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Added on February 9, 2012, 9:23 pmNope. Taking something related to maths and computer.

This post has been edited by xcoselete: Feb 9 2012, 09:23 PM

they just email me and tell me the class start at august if got more than 6 ppls and the fee is RM 27k zz

I thought is fully sponsored by misc

you're taking the MEBC right?

Guys, can i still apply for this program now?

destroyer pls revise your pay scale .. the pay is not that high .. i can provide u the deck department job scope

that one i acquire it from marine insight website. it shud be around the same amount for big2 ship. just that perhaps there's a slight difference from local company. i'll try to update with the current rate.

btw, there's seafarer meet up on 26 february in wisma pelaut port klang. the main aim is to discuss about seafarer unemployment in the industry due to dependence on foreign seafarer.