Maritime Professional: Learn How to Train, Salaries, and Institutions That Offer the Course

Salary Ranges From 4 Thousand to 30 Thousand Reais Per Month for Those with Maritime Education in Brazil and Skills Starting from Elementary School.

The salaries of employees working in maritime units and the knowledge of the oceans have been attracting many people to work on platforms and ships, commonly referred to as “Offshore.” Studies indicate that this sector is quite broad and tends to remain here in Brazil. However, those who think entering this professional career is easy are mistaken.

First of all, one must know which profession they wish to dedicate themselves to: Officer or Sailor. Regardless of being private or public companies, both careers must go through the training and authorization of the Navy, which holds the Maritime Professional Education Program (Prepom).

For officers, salaries generally start at 10 thousand reais and can reach up to 30 thousand reais for commander positions. In Brazil, only two educational institutions offer the course: CIAGA, located in Rio de Janeiro, and Ciabá, in Belém (entry occurs through a public competition only). This is why most professionals in these roles are from Rio and Pará.

Both institutions offer the courses for Machine Officers and Navigation Officers, and there are two ways to enter this market. After completing the course, the student is OBLIGATED TO EMBARK FOR 1 YEAR, with a rest period of 30 days. Many people struggle to adapt to maritime life and end up abandoning the career.

1st Way to Enter

The first way to enter is to take the Efomm (School for the Training of Merchant Marine Officers). It is necessary to be at most 23 years old, be approved, and complete the course in 36 months (3 years). Upon completion, you will graduate as a Bachelor in Nautical Sciences.

During the study period, the aspiring mariner will be in a military environment, that is, in a boarding regime, and receiving a little over one salary monthly, and at the end of the course, one receives a “salary” according to the criteria of the current year. In 2014, this salary difference was 20 thousand reais. Students with higher education will be able to take an equivalency test, exempt subjects, and reduce the course duration, usually by just one year.

2nd Way to Enter

For the position of sailor, salaries start at 4 thousand reais under maritime regulation. The simplest way is to take the Aquaviários Course (Cfaq), which is offered at various Navy branches across Brazil and lasts from 3 to 6 months. You must have completed elementary education, take a test, and have a recommendation from any company in the sector to do an internship to secure your job later.

If you have professional training in Mechanics, Electricity, Cooking, Nursing, and Steward, you will be able to take the Professional Adaptation Course (Caac), also offered by the Navy, and go for it, as the salary is much better than that of sailors and deckhands. To see open competitions, visit the Navy website  (www.mar.mil.br) or the unions of the professions (Sindmar for officers and National Union of Sailors and Deckhands in Maritime Transport).

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