How to Become a Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

About Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

Radio Officer also known as marine radio officer is the person who is responsible for all the radio communications on the ship. While performing duties related to cargo vessels and passenger ships, they make use of radio. The primary function of the radio officer is to receive, record and update time, signals, check weather reports and carrying out and receiving all the information at the ship for the smooth sailing of the ship and its vessels. Their duties also include maintaining radio equipment and other electronic navigation devices on the ship. One has to be on his toes all the time for the safe journey of the ship to its destination as there is no margin of error in the sea and this is one of the biggest job responsibilities. Also one has to be intuitive, willing to work as a team, flexible, patient; have a liking for solitude, willing to live apart from loved ones for a long duration of time.

The person in charge of a ship's crucial radio communications is known as a Marine Radio Officer (MRO), also known as a Radio Officer. They communicate with other ships and shore authorities while carrying out their duties on cargo ships and passenger liners using radio, Morse code, and other electronic and satellite devices. Along with their primary duties, radio officers also collect and record time signals, weather reports, and other data necessary for their ships to sail safely and without incident. Additionally, they are in charge of maintaining the radio gear, depth recorders, and electronic navigation equipment on ships.

Therefore, it is part of a Radio Officer's job description to carry out these responsibilities and collaborate with other crew members. It's hard to accomplish all of these tasks in the most effective way. Since there is no margin for error in the sea, one must constantly be alert to ensure that the ship arrives at its destination safely. So, in order to carry out his duties, one must be courageous, hardworking, and very committed to his duties. In addition, the candidate must be intelligent, intuitive, team-oriented, adaptable, patient, enjoy solitude, and be prepared to spend extended periods of time away from loved ones. People who choose to become radio officers shouldn't be seasick.

Along with the standard training needed to work as a Radio Officer on a ship, becoming a Radio Officer requires completion of some special courses.

Here are some of the primary roles and responsibilities of a  Radio Officer (Merchant Navy):

• The individuals known as radio officers work in radio stations and interact with other radio operators using equipment and waves
• They connect people using Morse code, voice, and images of people while communicating with people around the world using equipment and radio waves
• The purpose of the radio officer is to assist in emergencies.By communicating with them, they assist people affected by any natural disaster, accident, etc.

Eligibility to become Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

Chemistry and Mathematics as preferable subjects. After which the candidate has to appear in the Marine Radio Officer Courses such as ROGC, COP, RTIM and others. These exams are conducted by the Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India. Besides, this to become a radio officer one also requires Ham (Amateur) Radio License or a Marine Radio Operator Permit.

Candidate must be class 12th pass or equivalent examination with preferable science subjects.

• Age Criteria: A candidate must be 17 years of age on 1st July of the year of the examination
• Physical Standard: The minimum height of the candidate should be 150 cm. Candidates should also pass the medical fitness test applicable for sea service with includes 6/6 eyesight and no colour blindness

How to become a Radio Officer?

To become a radio officer, one must take the following actions:

Step 1: The Marine Radio Officers Course is required of the aspirants. These ROGC, COP, RTG, RTR, and RTIM courses have earned international recognition. The Government of India's Ministry of Communications administers exams for these courses. Additionally, there is the Ham (Amateur) Radio Operators License that needs to be earned. In addition, there are other courses like Marine Electronics and Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).

Step 2: After completing his education, the aspirant can apply for a position as a radio officer in either public or private shipping companies. The level of experience and individual merit are the determining factors in further promotions of the Radio Officer to Senior Radio Officer.

Types of Job Roles Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

 Radio Officer/ Marine Radio Officer job profiles are available both in public and private sector shipping companies as Radio officer and other related job profiles. Given below are the radio officer job profiles:

Junior Radio Officer- A junior radio officer usually trains under a senior radio officer and their job responsibility is to use radio other electronic and satellite communication devices for sending and receiving communication to headquarters and other ships.

Senior Radio Officer- Senior radio officer is entrusted with multiple responsibilities. They not only take care of all the communication that happens on the ship but are also take care of recording and receiving time signals and other important information to carry out all the operations smoothly.

Head Radio Officer- Head radio officer assigns all the task and duties to junior and senior radio officer.

Note* As far as the promotional aspects are concerned Radio Officers one does not get a chance to reach a much higher level as the respective career is very restrictive.

Employment Opportunities for Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

Some of the popular employment opportunities for air traffic controllers are listed below:

• Cargo Industry
• Shipping Companies
• Oil Industry/Companies

Top Recruiting Companies for Radio Officers  (Merchant Navy)

Check out the top companies that recruit radio officers here:

• Evergreen Marine Corporation
• Indian Oil Corporation. Ltd
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.Ltd
• CMA-CGM
• COSCO
• Hanjin
• China Ship Container Lines (CSCL)
• Maersk
• Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)

Employment Sector/Industry for Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

The primary job of a Radio Officer on a ship is to communicate with shore headquarters and other ships, they use radio, Morse code, and other electronic and satellite communication tools. Additionally, time signals, weather reports, and other information critical to the efficient operation of their vessels are received and recorded by radio officers. Additionally, they look after the radio equipment, depth-recording equipment, and electronic navigation equipment on ships.

Skills Required to be a Radio Officer 

To be a radio officer, you must have the following skills:

• Ability to read and interpret, write, and carry out the necessary math calculations
• Two years of experience operating radio communications systems and performing electronics repair and maintenance work or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and other skills and knowledge necessary for the job
• Attention to detail
• Communication Skills
• Management Skills
• Mathematical Abilities 
• Problem Solving Skills 

Pay Scale/Salary of Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

Radio officers are offered great salary packages by the shipping companies. It also offers other important perks that are not offered by many other professions. Given below is the salary range of the Radio officer:

Note- The above salary range is an estimate and may vary from individual to individual, professional experience and company to company.

Career Path for Radio Officer 

The following jobs are open to radio officers:

• Junior Radio Officer: A junior radio officer is a trainee who works under a senior radio officer and whose duties include supporting the senior radio officer
• Senior Radio Officer: The senior radio officer is in charge of all shipboard communications. He is in charge of capturing and receiving time signals as well as other crucial data. He collaborates with other departments to carry out all the tasks efficiently
• Head Radio Officer: Senior and junior radio officers are given all tasks and responsibilities by the head radio officer

Large shipping companies pay handsome salaries to radio officers. Additionally, it offers some appealing exemptions that are not offered by many other professions. A Radio Officer starts out with a respectable compensation package. In Indian ships, a radio officer can make between INR 20,000 and INR 25,000 per month, and in foreign ships, between INR 30,000 and INR 40,000 per month.

Another benefit of this profession is that individuals who work in ships for longer than six months are granted NRI status, which exempts their pay from taxes. In terms of promotion, because this is a specialised field, there are few opportunities to advance to a higher level. One can only be a radio officer in his own trade.

Books & Study Material to Become Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

To become a marine radio officer a candidate has to appear in the entrance examination to acquire the Marine Radio Operator Permit. To score well in the exam and to obtain the license candidates must have a hold right study material and books for the preparation. Listed below are some of the popular books and study material for budding radio officers:

• Plain-English Study Guide for the FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit by Richard P. Clem
• FCC Commercial Radio License Exam ELEMENT 3 Study Aid by Fred Benson
• Amateur Radio Electronics V10 Home Study Kindle Edition by Clive W. Humphris

Pros of becoming a Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

• The biggest advantage of being a marine radio officer is that it provides you with an opportunity to travel the world around. It’s a job that lets you travel for free and takes you around the world.
• Salary packages offered by shipping companies are way higher and decent other professions. Radio officer working for international marine and shipping companies are paid way more than domestic shipping companies.
• The set up provides you to meet and work with people from different nationalities, background and cultures which is like a melting pot of cultures.

Cons of becoming a Radio Officer (Merchant Navy)

• Radio officer as a profession is very restrictive as it does not offer many promotions or with an opportunity to switch to different sectors.
• The working conditions in the ships abroad are not too comfortable and involve a huge risk of.
• Spending long duration at sea is not something that the human body is designed for which may lead to serious health issues and prolonged sickness.