What Major Is Seaman?
Introduction
A seaman is a sailor who works on a ship or boat and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the vessel, as well as its safety and security at sea. The term “seaman” encompasses all types of sailors, from the deckhand to the captain, and all levels of experience in between.
In order to become an effective seaman, specialized training is required to equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their duties efficiently and safely out on the open water.
To this end, aspiring Filipino seamen are required to acquire degrees such as Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSME), or basic seaman course from maritime schools across the nation.
Overview of the Major Courses
The Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) is designed for aspiring Filipino seamen who desire to become seafarers and pursue careers such as navigators or deck officers on board merchant ships or passenger vessels.
The degree program provides students with knowledge regarding maritime laws, navigation rules, ship stability and control, cargo handling techniques, shipboard operations management and communication techniques among other related subjects that are necessary for preparing students to become capable seafarers with good command over their profession, safety practices and crew management skillsets.
The Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSME) course is geared towards equipping Filipino seamen with technical skills such as operating marine engines, power plants design and maintenance systems for large ships or vessels, as well as knowledge about vessel components like pumps, boilers, turbines and engines among others that will help them become capable seafaring engineers on board merchant ships or passenger vessels when they complete their degree program successfully.
This course also provides students with an understanding about various safety standards that are to be followed when working on board a vessel at sea so that they can effectively manage their tasks without any potential mishaps occurring onboard due to negligence or lack of knowledge about the technical aspects involved in marine engineering work processes.
Finally there is also a Basic Seaman Course (BSC) available for aspiring Filipino seamen who do not wish to pursue an academic degree but still wish to gain knowledge regarding ship operations out at sea as well as safety regulations that must adhere too while working onboard vessels at any capacity be it navigator/deck officer or engineer/technician etcetera.
This course provides students with basic information about navigation rules, monitoring meteorological conditions while out at sea and even basic chart reading techniques so that they can gain rudimentary understanding about how ships work before they embark on more advanced courses or professional qualifications if they choose too later on down the line if needed be .
Benefits Of A Seaman’s Education
There are several benefits associated with pursuing a degree related to seafaring professions such as those offered by maritime schools across the nation.
For starters , having a specialized education from one such school will make any aspiring Filipino seaman more competitive than other applicants applying for similar positions when seeking employment on board merchant ships/passenger vessels.
Secondly , it also provides them with essential skillsets that are necessary for performing duties efficiently without compromising quality/safety standards while out at sea.
Finally , having an educational background related to seafaring professions shows potential employers that one has taken their job seriously enough to invest time into acquiring professional qualifications which acts as a testimony towards one’s dedication towards their profession.
All these factors combined make pursuing a seaman’s education highly beneficial for any aspirant looking forward to embarking upon a career related profession related to seafaring jobs .
Requirements For Pursuing A Seamen’s Education
Before enrolling into any maritime school across the nation , there are certain prerequisites which have been set by each individual institution depending upon what type degree program/course one wishes to pursue .
Generally speaking though , most maritime schools require any prospective student interested in pursuing BSMT/BSME courses , or even just a basic seman course ,to have 10+2 level qualification from high school along with passing grades in mathematics & physics.
Additionally these schools might also require applicants interested in pursuing degrees like BSMT/BSME courses ,to have some prior experience working onboard vessels either through internships or apprenticeships etcetera before they accept them into their programs .
Finally some schools might also require applicants interested in pursuing either type degree program /course mentioned above ,to pass certain entrance examinations conducted by each individual institution before allowing them admission into their respective programs .
Types Of Maritime Schools
Depending upon where one resides within Philippines there are several maritime schools available across the nation which provide various degrees related to seafaring professions like BSMT/BSME etc.
Generally speaking most universities & colleges provide both types degree programs mentioned above however there are some private institutions too which offer these said courses if needed be .
Additionally these said institutions might also provide other types courses depending upon what type specialization one wishes too focus upon within this field such as navigation rules & regulations , marine engineering etcetera depending up on what type specialization one wishes too focus upon within this field etc.
Bachelor Of Science In Marine Transportation (BSMT)
The Bachelor Of Science In Marine Transportation (BSMT) consists primarily of coursework focused upon equipping aspiring Filipino seamen wishing too pursue careers such as navigators /deck officers onboard merchant ships /passenger vessels respectively with essential knowledge regarding navigation rules & regulations , cargo handling techniques & communication techniques among other related subjects needed for preparing students too become capable seafarers once they have completed their respective programs successfully.
Additionally this type degree program might also provide additional specialization courses depending up on what type specialization one wishes too focus upon within this field such as navigation rules & regulations ,ship stability & control etcetera.
Bachelor Of Science In Marine Engineering (BSME)
The Bachelor Of Science In Marine Engineering (BSME) consists primarily coursework focused upon equipping aspiring Filipino seamen wishing too pursue careers such as engineers /technicians onboard merchant ships /passenger vessels respectively with essential technical skills such power plants design & maintenance systems for large ships /vessels etcetera along with knowledge about vessel components like pumps ,boilers turbines & engines among others needed for preparing students too become capable seafaring engineers once they have completed their respective programs successfully.
Additionally this type degree program might also provide additional specialization courses depending up on what type specialization one wishes too focus upon within this field such as operating marine engines etcetera.
Basic Seaman Course ( BSC )
The Basic Seamen Course ( BSC ) focuses primarily up on providing students basic information regarding Navigation Rules & Regulations along side monitoring meteorological conditions while out at sea which includes understanding how weather affects different types ocean currents or even basic chart reading techniques needed for helping them gain rudimentary understanding about how ships work before they embark on more advanced courses or professional qualifications if needed be later on down the line.
Additionally some schools might also provide additional specialization courses depending upon what type specialization one wishes too focus upon within this field such as ship operations out at sea along side safety regulations among other related topics needed when working onboard vessels at any capacity be it navigator/ deck officer engineer technician etcetera.
Advantages Of Pursuing A Seamen’s Degree
Pursuing a degree related too seafaring professions through maritime schools has several advantages associated with it apart from making any aspiring Filipino seaman more competitive than other applicants applying for similar positions when seeking employment onboard merchant ships/passenger vessels respectively some advantages include : gaining essential skillsets necessary for performing duties efficiently without compromising quality standards while out at sea , developing an understanding about various safety standards that must adhere when working onboard vessels , gaining knowledge regarding navigation rules , cargo handling techniques , shipboard operations management , communication techniques , power plants design & maintenance systems among other related topics , being ablet o specialize within certain areas like navigation rules®ulations,ship stability&control,operating marine engine etcetera…all these factors combined make pursuing a seamen’s education highly beneficial for anyone interested in embarking upon career related profession within this filed.
Conclusion
To sum it all up becoming an effective seaman requires specialized training which can only be acquired through educational qualification from maritime schools across Philippines offering degrees such BSMT/ BSME along side basic seamen course which provides students all necessary skillsets required perform duties efficiently without compromising quality standards aboard merchant ships/passenger vessels respectively apart from providing them competitive edge over other applicants applying similar positions when seeking employment onboard these said vessels.
