Marinha Mercante opened a 2019 public notice with many openings for qualification and improvement courses across the country, for various school levels. The courses are free and intended for anyone who wants or already works on board. Run registrations are closing!

Registration for Merchant Marine courses is now one of the most solid and promising careers on the market. With possibilities for an immediate start and career advancement, in addition to a possible military career, the Merchant Marine also has the advantage of giving the professional the possibility to visit different places in the world. The maritime career has been one of the most sought after in Brazil.
Even with the financial crisis that Brazil is going through, the Merchant Navy continues to have open positions and a growing demand for new professionals. Requiring a qualification reduces competition for jobs in the industry.
The employment possibilities are even greater as hiring by public and private companies is possible, making starting salaries very attractive, as well as career progression!

What is the Merchant Marine?

The merchant navy can be divided into three branches:
1. Commercial marine – dedicated to the economic activities of transporting passengers and cargo. (tugs, lightships, icebreakers and research vessels, cruises, bulk carriers, container ships, ferries and tankers)
2. Fishing navy – dedicated to fishing activities;
3. Recreational navy – dedicated to nautical sports and other recreational activities.

What is an Aquaviary?

The maritime professional with certified qualification to operate vessels is called Aquaviário. To work as a Waterway Operator in the Merchant Navy, it is necessary to attend the Waterway Workers Training Course held by the Port Authority. The profession is regulated by the Directorate of Ports and Coasts of the Navy (DPC) of the Brazilian Navy, which regulates all waterway traffic in Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters and the safeguarding of human life at sea. The Waterway career is divided into two sections: Deck and Machinery. Within these two sections that make up the Waterway Workers category, professionals are divided into 6 groups:

1st Group – Seafarers: crew operating vessels classified for open sea navigation, port support and for inland navigation in channels, lagoons, bays, creeks, coves and maritime areas considered sheltered;
2nd Group – Riverside: crew members who operate vessels classified for inland navigation on lakes, rivers and river support;
3rd Group – Fishermen: crew members who carry out activities on board a fishing vessel;
4th Group – Divers: crew members or non-crew professionals with qualifications certified by the maritime authority to perform tasks directly related to the operation of the vessel and provide occasional services on board for underwater activities;
5th Group – Pilots: non-crew seafarers who provide on-board pilotage services;
6th Group – Maneuvering and Docking Agents: non-crew waterway workers who maneuver ships in dikes, shipyards and careers.

Waterway Workers Training Course - CFAQ

The Waterway Training Course (CFAQ) is a totally free Maritime Professional Education (EPM) training course that allows candidates to qualify to start a career in the Merchant Marine. The Brazilian Maritime Authority (Brazilian Navy), through the Board of Ports and Coasts, is responsible for applying the courses of Maritime Professional Education, which are applied in the Execution Bodies that are the Almirante Graça Aranha Instruction Center (CIAGA), in Rio de Janeiro, Almirante Braz de Aguiar Instruction Center (CIABA), in Belém and in the Captaincies, Police Stations and Agencies existing throughout the national territory.

CFAQ courses last for an average of 7 months. After completing the course, the professional is qualified to start his career in the maritime sector. To apply for the CFAQ, the applicant must: Have completed High School; over 18 years old, be born or naturalized Brazilian. When registering, the candidate must also present a series of documents defined by the Navy. This course is not classified as a Contest, and may be taught by the Navy or entities duly accredited to carry out classes and training activities.

Merchant Marine Officer Training School – EFOMM

The Merchant Navy Officer Training School – EFOMM – is a military higher education institution, managed by the Brazilian Navy and maintained with funds from the Merchant Marine Fund. EFOMM aims to train Nautical Officers and Machinery Officers, graduates in Nautical Sciences and members of the Unpaid Reserve Officers of the Brazilian Navy with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant (2T-RM2). EFOMM is a University of the Sea, a reference center for training highly qualified Merchant Marine Officers, not only from Brazil, but also for young people whose home country does not have a Merchant Marine School, or for young people whose home country has exchange students, such as Peru, Panama, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, etc. Brazil serves as a reference for Central America, South America and part of Africa. This attests to the level of professional training at which the Brazilian officer enters the market.
At EFOMM, Officers are trained in two course options: Nautical and Machinery. Both in the nautical and machinery courses, students study at the School on a boarding basis for 3 years. The course will have two periods and will be developed in eight semesters, namely:

Maritime Professional Education Program - PREPOM

The PREPOM – Maritime Professional Education Program courses are aimed at training and improving all waterway personnel on merchant ships. Waterway workers trained by EFOMM need to take improvement courses with a certain regularity, which are approved in their Enrollment and Registration Booklet (CIR).

What is the Registration and Registration Booklet – CIR?

The CIR is the document that proves the entry of the Brazilian citizen in one of the groups of Seafarers, Riverboats or Fishermen, in the Deck or Machinery Section, duly approved in the following courses:
a) Seafarer Training Course – CFAQ; or
b) Waterway Adaptation Course – CAAQ; or
c) Nautical or Machinery Officer Career Access Course – ASON or ASOM; or
d) Training Course for Merchant Marine Officers – EFOMM

Why join the Merchant Marine?

Before embarking on the qualification process to join the navy Merchant, evaluate if this is the right career for you!

Benefits
• Great wages: from its base levels, the Merchant Marine attracts more and more professionals by offering attractive wages and benefits to seafarers.
• Different destinations: life in the Navy makes it possible to travel constantly and discover different places in Brazil and the world.
• Many vacancies available: vacancies are always open in the sector. Being attentive and being trained guarantees placement in the market.
• Solid career plan: Merchant Navy follows a career plan, which allows you to always dream bigger.

Disadvantages
• Working on board: adapting to the work schedule and assignments can be a problem; on average they work 15 days at sea and 15 on land. Some scales can be 28×28, that is, 28 days on board and the same period of rest.
• The feeling of confinement must also be worked on so as not to disturb the professional.
• Staying away from family: most seafarers miss family and friends a lot, due to the long periods at sea.

How to enter the waterway career?

To join the waterway career, the person interested must look for the nearest Port Authority, Police Station or Agency, which are located throughout the national territory. After completing the Waterway Workers Training Course, the participant will be qualified to enter the waterway career as Deck Boy or Engine Boy. CLICK HERE AND CHECK OUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT WITH INFORMATION ON ALL COURSES, LOCATION, REGISTRATION DATE AND NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

THE BRAZILIAN NAVY RELEASES ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 960 VACANCIES!