Dr Ramachandra C. G, Managing Director Sanathana Research & Training Institute briefed on the theme of webinar and welcomed the speakers from R.L. Institute of Nautical Sciences ( RLINS ) and the participants in large gathering mainly engineering students. Dr Raghavendra Prasad, President Rotary Club of Mysore West thanked the organizers for sharing the knowledge on the wonderful career prospects at Merchant Navy.     

Mr. Subramanian M, Advisor Technical, Marine Engineer with 33 years of sailing experience and additional 23 years’ experience in maritime training addressed the gathering on his presentation topic WHY SEA. His presentation commenced with facts & figures on UNUMPLOYMENT in engineering stream in India and low remuneration scales being paid in most of engineering employment ashore. Thereafter he moved to employment in Merchant Navy with progression of career path from Trainee Marine Engineer / Cadet to Chief Engineer officer highlighting lucrative remuneration in each position being paid in merchant navy career and also addressed career path for Electro Technical Officer ( ETO ) with high income remunerations being paid.  It was very delightful for the participants to learn various opportunities at shore career available for those who wish to come ashore at early retirement from sea career.

The webinar continued with Dr Kumarasamy. M, Vice Principal RLINS, Mr Uma Mahaswaran. senior faculty RLINS , Dr Meenakshi Sundaram, senior faculty RLINS and Mr Chandran Murthi, PRO RLINS giving presentation on Infrastructure for Maritime Education covering various laboratories, operation of generator and other equipment, ER Simulators, Fire Fighting equipment, survival technique demo/s , Library, gymnastics, Hostel accommodations, sports and others indoor & outdoor extracurricular activities at RLINS campus. The speakers  also covered eligibility requirement for Graduate Marine Engineering and Electro Technical Officer courses ( Details available at www.rlins.edu.in ).

Mr. Ashok Advani, Marine Engineer with 15 years sailing experience thereafter at shore for 27 years, heading Manning/ Crewing offices of Canadian based company and Pacific International Lines / PIL , currently Advisor to RLINS, addressed the participants on Employers’ Expectations & Placement. He briefed on company’s Safety Management System document and regulating compliances of International Safety Management ( ISM ) code and company’s procedures and its mandate for all new entrants to understudy as company’s requirement under respective ranks on board. He also touched upon overview of Marine Pollution Prevention Act and Maritime Labour Convention ( MLC ) with the role and responsibilities of ship owner/ manager and the expectation from employees/seafarers.  In his presentation, he focused on required Skills and Attributes which are expected from new entrant seafarers. The Company makes huge investment in cadetship training program and in-return the employers’ expectation are performance level , loyalty & continuity from their employees.

For placement, he presented reports on seafarers officers supply verses demand globally and reports indicated current shortage of about 92,500 officers and the shortage is expected to become serious in next couple of years if global supply has not increased he indicated. Report covered for the year 2019, Indian officers total supply indicated 89,959 which is only 11.39 % of global supply of seafarers officers category. India therefore needs to take steps to bring increased supply of officers not only to meet the shortage but also to replace other nationalities by demonstrating the quality supply of trained cadets from MTIs and to maintain consistent quality performance on board the ships, he continued.

Mr Advani focused on RLINS placement record for last decade and it indicated overall placement record of 87% in GME / BTech / ETOs which has been very encouraging however he emphasized to work hard on improving skills and attributes during the training and to be able to demonstrate competency in order to achieve placement.

He ended his presentation by quoting  “ Education must lead to Employment”  >Motto spoken by Dr R. Lakshmipathy, Founder and President of RLINS.

The webinar presentation moved to next speaker Mr Raj Mohan, alumni of R. L. Institute of Nautical Sciences and a Marine Engineer , sailed for 12 years and currently Senior Faculty in RLINS. He spoke on Frequently Asked Questions and covered key questions generally expected from audience and to give more clarity on the career in Merchant Navy. It was very well received by all participants. Q&A session was then open to all and well responded by Mr Raj Mohan.

During the webinar, short video was played which covered various maritime education activities, admission procedures and career path for engineers in R.L. Institute of Nautical Sciences at Madurai and it was very well received by attendees.

The webinar was ended with vote of thanks from Management of R.L Institute and Sanathana Research & Training Institute.