Marine Radio Officer (MRO) also called as Radio officer is the professional on board a ship who handles the vital function of radio communications for the ship. While performing their duties on cargo vessels and passenger ships they use radio, Morse code, and other electronic and satellite communication devices to contact shore headquarters and other ships. In addition to this primary function radio officers also perform the task of receiving and recording time signals, weather reports, and other information important to the smooth and safe sailing of their vessels. Besides they are also responsible for maintaining the radio equipment and depth-recording and electronic navigation devices on ships.
Thus to discharge these duties and work as a team with other crew members is in the job profile of a Radio Officer. Performing all these functions in the most efficient manner is not an easy task. 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. Thus to discharge his duties one has to be very dedicated to his responsibilities, brave, and hardworking. Besides the aspirant need to be intelligent, intuitive, willing to work as a team, flexible, patient; have a liking for solitude, willing to live apart from loved ones for long stretches of time. Those opting for a career as Radio Officer should not be seasick.
To be a Radio Officer one has to undergo some special course along with regular course required to work on a ship as a Radio Officer.
Eligibility to become a Radio Officer
1. Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualifications for pursuing a Marine Radio Officer (MRO) course the aspirant should be at least plus two or equivalent with Preferably science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
2. Age
The candidate must have attained the age of 17 years on 1st July of the year of examination. The upper age limit is also relaxed in favour of certain categories of employees working under the Government of India and Defense Services Personnel.
3. Physical Standard:
- The minimum height should be 150cms with correlated weight and proportionate chest with minimum 5-cm expansion.
- He should also pass a medical fitness test for sea service under standard norms and with eyesight 6/6 with no colour blindness.
How to become a Radio Officer?
To become a Radio Officer one has to follow the below-given steps:
Step 1
The aspirants have to take up the Marine Radio Officers Course. These courses in ROGC, COP, RTG, RTR, RTIM are internationally recognised. Examinations for these courses are conducted by the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Besides, there is also the Ham (Amateur) Radio Operators License to be worked for. There are other courses, too, such as the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) and Marine Electronics course.
Step 2
Once the aspirant has completed his qualification then one can apply for the job is the public sector or private sector shipping companies as Radio Officer. Further promotions of the Radio Officer to Senior Radio Officer depend on the quality of experience and personal merit.
Radio Officer Job Description
They use radio, Morse code, and other electronic and satellite communication devices to contact shore headquarters and other ships. In addition, radio officers receive and record time signals, weather reports, and other information important to the smooth operation of their vessels. They also maintain the radio equipment and depth-recording and electronic navigation devices on ships.
Radio Officer Career Prospects
Radion Officer can get employment in a Public sector or Private sector shipping companies as Radio Officer.
- Radio Officer
- Senior Radio Officer
Radio Officer Salary
Radio Officers are handsomely paid by big shipping companies. It has some other attractive exemptions also which are not there in many other professionals. At the entry level itself, a Radio Officer receives good pay package. A Radio Officer can earn around Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000 per month in Indian ships and around Rs 30,000 to Rs.40,000 in foreign ships.
Another advantage of this career is that by virtue of travelling in a ship for more than six months, a person gets NRI status and thus the remuneration he gets is exempted from tax. As far as promotional aspects of this profession are concerned being a specialized field one cannot get chance to be at a much higher level. At the most one can be ahead radio officer in his own trade.
