What is GP Rating in merchant navy and how to become one?
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A General Purpose (GP) Rating is a certified category of seafarer trained to perform duties in both the Deck and Engine departments of a merchant vessel. This dual-role qualification is a foundational entry point into the maritime industry, governed by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), India, and strictly adhering to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), as amended. To become a GP Rating, a candidate must complete a mandatory six-month residential pre-sea training course at a DGS-approved maritime training institute. The eligibility criteria are stringent: candidates must be between 17.5 and 25 years of age and have passed the 10th standard (SSLC/Metric) with a minimum of 40% aggregate and 40% in English. Furthermore, candidates must meet the medical standards prescribed by the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, which include physical fitness, 6/6 vision (with or without external aids), and no color blindness. The curriculum for GP Rating training is comprehensive, covering seamanship, navigation, cargo handling, engine room maintenance, and tool usage. Trainees are required to complete the four basic STCW safety courses: Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR). This training ensures that the rating can contribute to the vessel's Safety Management System (SMS) as required by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and assist in maintaining compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Upon successful completion of the course and the exit examination, the candidate is issued a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and an INDoS (Indian National Database of Seafarers) number. Onboard, the GP Rating's duties are governed by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, ensuring regulated hours of work and rest. Their operational roles include bridge watchkeeping (look-out duties), engine room surveillance, mooring operations, and general maintenance of the hull and machinery. The career progression for a GP Rating is robust. After completing the requisite sea time (usually 6 to 9 months) and obtaining a Watchkeeping Certificate under STCW Table A-II/4 or A-III/4, the rating can be promoted to Able Seaman (AB) or Motorman. With further sea service, typically 36 months, and the completion of relevant bridging courses, a GP Rating can appear for the Second Mate (Foreign Going) or Class IV (Engine) Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations, effectively transitioning from the rating cadre to the officer cadre. This pathway ensures that the vessel operates within the safety parameters defined by SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea).
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💬 Community Answers(4)
GP Rating is a dual-purpose rating, meaning you're trained for both Deck and Engine room duties, unlike earlier segregated ratings. It's a fantastic entry point for youngsters aiming for a sea career without pursuing an officer MEO Class 4 or 2nd Mate ticket initially. To become one, you must complete a 6-month pre-sea training course from a DGS-approved institute. Eligibility is 10th pass with 40% aggregate and 40% in English. Post-course, you'll need to pass the exit exam conducted by MMDs (like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata). Once you get your CDC, you can start applying to companies. I've seen many GP Ratings from my time with Great Eastern, MSC, and Maersk. You might start as a Wiper or OS, sailing on tankers calling at JNPT or bulkers in Paradip. My advice, bhai, focus on learning during your first contract – it's invaluable. Your next step should be to shortlist a DGS-approved GP Rating institute and check their placement records.
Let’s talk about GP Rating from what I see every day on deck as a Second Officer. GP stands for General Purpose, and these guys are the backbone of any crew. Unlike specialized ratings, a GP rating is trained in both deck work and engine room duties. On my last chemical tanker, our GP ratings were chipping rust and rigging gangways in the morning, and by afternoon they were down in the engine room assisting the third engineer with a purifier overhaul. To get into this, you need to complete a six-month pre-sea GP Rating course from an institute approved by your maritime authority, like the DG Shipping in India. You must be between 17.5 and 25 years old and have passed your 10th standard with decent marks in science, math, and English. But here is my honest, hard-earned advice: do not just join any random academy. Only go for institutes that offer structured sponsorship or have solid tie-ups with reputed shipping companies. I’ve seen too many hardworking lads get scammed by agents, holding a valid CDC but sitting at home for years without a ship. Get into a good college, clear your watchkeeping exams, and you’ll find yourself on a gangway in no time.
As a Second Officer, I’ve worked with dozens of GP ratings, and let me tell you, they are the backbone of any ship's crew. GP stands for General Purpose, meaning you aren't stuck in just one department. One day you’re up on deck with me assisting during mooring operations, chipping rust, or painting, and the next day you’re down in the hot engine room helping the third engineer clean filters or overhaul a purifier. It gives you a massive advantage because you understand the whole vessel. To become one, you need to complete a six-month GP Rating pre-sea training course. The basic eligibility is just passing your tenth standard with decent marks in science, math, and English. But here is some honest brotherly advice from my years at sea. Do not get tricked by greedy agents promising instant jobs. Only apply to DG Shipping-approved institutes with excellent placement records, like TS Rahaman or NUSI. Getting sponsored or placed directly through your academy is the only way to avoid the nightmare of chasing fake crewing offices in Mumbai. Work hard, stay safe, and I hope to see you on board some day.
Look, brother, if you want to get your boots dirty and start earning quickly at sea, GP Rating—or General Purpose Rating—is your best ticket. As a Fourth Engineer, I work closely with these guys every single day, and they are the true backbone of the ship. Unlike specialized crew, a GP rating is trained for both deck and engine department work. One day you’ll be down in the hot engine room helping me clean purifiers or assisting during bunkering, and the next day you’ll be up on deck chipping rust, painting, or helping with mooring operations. To get started, you need to pass your tenth-standard exams with decent marks in English, Science, and Math. Then, you must complete a six-month pre-sea GP Rating course from an approved maritime training institute. My advice is to choose your academy wisely because finding a genuine sponsorship or placement is the real battle. Once you get your CDC, apply directly to RPSL registered companies and steer clear of greedy agents promising easy shortcuts. It’s tough, physical work, but if you show initiative on board, you can eventually sail as a Bosun or even clear exams to become an officer. Keep your head high and stay safe.
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