Selecting Seafaring Career: Essential insights for Sri Lankan newcomers

In Sri Lanka, the Merchant Shipping Secretariat (MSS) is the government body responsible for regulating and overseeing the country's maritime affairs, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation. Maritime colleges and seafarer recruitment agencies in Sri Lanka are governed and overseen by the MSS. Seafarer training and placements are standardized within a regulatory framework established by the MSS. For instance, training conducted under the STCW Convention is harmonized across Sri Lankan maritime institutes, with uniform course syllabi provided by the MSS to ensure consistency of Knowledge, Understanding, and Proficiency (KUP) among seafarers. Additionally, they set minimum entry criteria encompassing age, education levels, and medical standards, detailed in the MSS's Code of Practice for institutes. Some maritime institutes maintain higher standards than those specified by the MSS to meet global employment demands.

By Yasas Telwatta 
PHD (Reading), MBA, ACMI, MNI
Head of Training at McLarens Maritime Academy (Pvt) Ltd
Seafaring is a profession that symbolizes a unique combination of physical endurance and mental resilience. Each stripe earned on a seafarer’s epaulettes signifies dedication and accomplishment, underscoring both passion and hard work. If you are considering a career as a seafarer, you are likely aware of its reputation as a profession offering substantial earning potential within a sustainable industry, accompanied by promising prospects for career advancement.
Before setting sail in this profession, prospective seafarers must assess their ability to thrive in challenging environments and their firm commitment to safety and precision. Veteran seafarers often reflect on the rugged simplicity of their early careers, whereas modern seafarers benefit from advanced technology, enhanced safety measures, and improved living conditions aboard ships.
The global maritime industry is integral to international trade, and Sri Lanka, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, claims a rich maritime history dating back centuries. Historically, Sri Lanka’s geographic position made it a crucial stopover on the maritime silk route, with its ports playing a pivotal role in international shipping. The maritime industry has been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economic development. 
The global maritime industry has evolved significantly over the years. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established as a UN specialized agency to regulate shipping, with the primary purpose of creating a global regulatory framework that ensures maritime safety, environmental protection, and security. One of the key conventions adopted by the IMO is the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW). This convention ensures that seafarers worldwide are adequately trained and qualified to operate maritime vessels safely and efficiently, addressing the need for uniform training standards globally.
In Sri Lanka, the Merchant Shipping Secretariat (MSS) is the government body responsible for regulating and overseeing the country’s maritime affairs, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation. Maritime colleges and seafarer recruitment agencies in Sri Lanka are governed and overseen by the MSS. Seafarer training and placements are standardized within a regulatory framework established by the MSS. For instance, training conducted under the STCW Convention is harmonized across Sri Lankan maritime institutes, with uniform course syllabi provided by the MSS to ensure consistency of Knowledge, Understanding, and Proficiency (KUP) among seafarers. Additionally, they set minimum entry criteria encompassing age, education levels, and medical standards, detailed in the MSS’s Code of Practice for institutes. Some maritime institutes maintain higher standards than those specified by the MSS to meet global employment demands.
Sri Lanka is renowned for its skilled seafarers. Nowadays, newcomers from Sri Lanka will find it relatively straightforward to access maritime education and placement services locally. For example, McLarens Maritime Academy (MMA), a subsidiary of McLarens Group, is an Approved Maritime Training Institute (AMTI) under the MSS. MMA offers comprehensive programs aligned with STCW standards, with guaranteed practical training and job opportunities through McLarens Group’s own maritime recruitment agency, Interocean Ship Management Limited.
Newcomers must always ensure they deal with an approved maritime organization under the MSS. It is crucial for candidates, especially those enrolled in pre-sea rating or officer cadet training programs, to gain practical exposure in a real-time ship environment before joining a ship for the first time. This provides unparalleled experience in managing conditions such as human interactions, stress levels, and physical demands, which cannot be fully replicated in a simulated environment. Additionally, seafarer training requires individual attention and cannot be effectively conducted in a mass class setting. Therefore, newcomers should prioritize maritime colleges offering small group training environments and maintaining entry standards higher than the minimum required by the MSS. Currently, pre-sea training rating candidates in Sri Lanka face challenges in securing job placements due to limited resources. Therefore, candidates must ensure their training college can assist in securing job opportunities before enrolling in to a program.
It is crucial for young individuals, especially those considering careers in fields like seafaring, to make well-informed decisions about their education and career paths. Steering them away from their career choices or educational pursuits challenges their potential for success and fulfillment. It is our duty to guide them towards choices that resonate with their ambitions and talents.