Ranks in GP Rating
If you are planning to join the GP Rating Course, it is important to understand what happens after your training and what kind of work you may actually do onboard a ship. GP Rating is not a single job position. After completing the course, you can work in different rating positions depending on whether you are working in the deck or engine department. As you gain experience and take on more responsibility, you can also move towards higher positions.
Students usually look up the salary of a GP Rating, but the salary by itself doesn’t tell you very much about the career. You should also know what an Ordinary Seaman does, what an Able-Bodied Seaman is responsible for, what a Bosun does, and how the engine-side ratings such as Wiper, Motorman and Fitter function.
The following guide examines the various ranks within the GP Rating, the duties associated with them, the salary ranges, and the way in which a career in this field can develop.
GP Rating Rank Structure
GP Rating covers work related to both the deck and engine departments. The rank you work in will determine the type of duties you perform onboard.
The main deck-side ranks covered here are:
- Trainee OS
- Ordinary Seaman
- Able-Bodied Seaman
- Deck Fitter
- Pumpman
- Bosun
On the engine side, the ranks include:
- Trainee Wiper/Fitter
- Wiper
- Motorman
- Fitter
The responsibilities and salary can differ significantly from one rank to another.
Deck Department Ranks for GP Rating
1.Trainee Ordinary Seaman
A Trainee Ordinary Seaman, commonly referred to as a Trainee OS, is one of the entry-level positions on the deck side. An Ordinary Seaman mainly works under the supervision of senior crew members and assists with duties related to deck operations.
One of the main duties is to carry out watchkeeping in association with the Deck Officer, during which the trainee OS learns how to help with the lookout and watchkeeping tasks.
The salary range for an Ordinary Seaman is: ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 per month
2. Able-Bodied Seaman
An Able-Bodied Seaman, or AB, has greater responsibilities than an entry-level rating. An AB can be involved in watchkeeping on the bridge along with the Duty Officer. The role can also involve manually steering the ship according to the officer’s orders.
Because of the additional experience and responsibilities involved, the salary is higher than that of an Ordinary Seaman. The salary range for an Able-Bodied Seaman is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,24,000 per month
3. Deck Fitter
A Deck Fitter mainly handles fitting and welding-related work on the deck. The purpose of having a Deck Fitter onboard is to ensure that general welding and fitting work on the deck can continue even when the Engine Fitter is occupied with engine-room work.
The work can involve fabrication, repair, and maintenance activities, depending on the vessel’s requirements. The salary range for a Deck Fitter is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,000 per month
4. Pumpman (Tankers)
A Pumpman is a specialised rating position generally associated with tanker vessels. The Pumpman is responsible for fitting, welding, and other deck-related work, along with taking care of the pump room. Because tanker operations involve specialised equipment and procedures, the Pumpman’s work can be different from the general duties performed by other deck ratings.
The salary range for a Pumpman is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,000 per month
5. Bosun
The Bosun is a senior rating position on the deck side. A Bosun is responsible for various deck activities and can supervise or coordinate the work of other deck ratings. One of the important areas of the Bosun’s work involves knots, hitches, bends, whips, and splices used for anchoring and other shipboard operations.
The salary range for a Bosun is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,000 per month
Table of Contents
Engine Department Ranks in GP Rating
GP Rating is not limited to deck work. Candidates can also work in the engine department. Engine ratings are involved in the maintenance and operation of machinery and assist the engineering team with various onboard tasks.
1.Trainee Wiper/Fitter
The Trainee Wiper/Fitter is an entry-level position in the engine department. A trainee Wiper is mainly responsible for the upkeep of the vessel and assists with general maintenance work.
The salary range for a Trainee Wiper/Fitter is: ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month
2. Wiper
A Wiper works in the engine room and assists with its maintenance. The Wiper is also a member of the engine-room watch team and helps with the day-to-day upkeep of the engine-room area. The salary range for a Wiper is: ₹60,000 to ₹75,000 per month
3. Motorman
A Motorman has greater responsibility for the maintenance and repair of machinery compared with a Wiper. The role involves working with the engine room, machine room, and engine-room equipment.
The salary range for a Motorman is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,24,000 per month
4. Fitter
A Fitter is responsible for practical repair and fabrication work in the engine department. The work includes welding, fabrication of spares, and restoration work on engine parts. The salary range for a Fitter is: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,000 per month
GP Rating Rank-Wise Salary
Based on the salary ranges discussed above, the rank-wise figures are:
GP Rating Salary in Deck Department
Rank | Salary |
Ordinary Seaman | ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 |
Able-Bodied Seaman | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,24,000 |
Deck Fitter | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
Pumpman | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
Bosun | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
GP Rating Salary in Engine Department
Rank | Salary |
Trainee Wiper/Fitter | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 |
Wiper | ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 |
Motorman | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,24,000 |
Fitter | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
These are general range in which a salary usually exist. The actual pay can depend on the company, vessel, and employment contract, so candidates should always check the salary offered for the specific position before joining.
Join GP Rating With SMVD Marine Academy
Understanding the ranks is useful, but students should also start preparing for the entrance and selection process before joining the course.
SMVD Marine Academy, Dehradun provides dedicated preparation for GP Rating aspirants, helping students build their foundation in Mathematics, English, Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge.
Students can practise through MCQs, theory notes, detailed solutions and full-length practice papers as part of their preparation.
The aim is to help students enter their GP Rating journey with a better understanding of the examination, training and career they are preparing for. If you are serious about joining the Merchant Navy, then connect with us through SMVD Marine Academy or apply now.
Deck Rating vs Engine Rating: Which Is Better?
There is no simple answer to which department is better. It mainly depends on the type of work you prefer.
If you enjoy working outdoors, deck operations, watchkeeping, mooring, and general ship maintenance, you may prefer the deck department.
If you are more interested in machinery, maintenance, welding, fabrication and working around engines, the engine department may suit you better.
The working environment is also different.
Deck ratings spend a considerable amount of time involved in deck operations and maintenance, while engine ratings spend much of their working time in and around the engine room and machinery spaces.
So, instead of choosing a department only because of its salary, think about what kind of work you are comfortable doing for months while living onboard a ship.
How Does Promotion Work in GP Rating?
Promotion in the rating side of the Merchant Navy is not simply about completing the GP Rating Course and automatically moving to the next rank.
Your career progression can depend on factors such as:
- Sea experience
- Required training
- Certification
- Practical skills
- Performance onboard
- Company requirements
- Availability of higher positions
As you gain experience and become capable of handling greater responsibilities, you can move towards more senior rating positions.
For example, on the deck side, a rating can progress through positions such as Ordinary Seaman, Able-Bodied Seaman, and eventually senior rating roles such as Bosun, depending on the applicable requirements.
The engine department has its own progression based on experience, skills, and the qualifications required for particular positions.
Can I Become a Captain or Chief Engineer from GP Rating?
Yes, GP Rating can be the beginning of a longer career on the rating side. However, promotion should not be treated as automatic.
You need to gain the required practical experience and complete the relevant training and certification for the position you want to move into.
Your performance on board also matters. Being dependable, following safety procedures, and developing your practical skills can help you take on greater responsibilities.
The best approach is to think about GP Rating as the starting point of your maritime career, rather than the final position you will hold.
GP Rating FAQ
GP Rating candidates can work in different rating positions in the deck and engine departments. These include Ordinary Seaman, Able-Bodied Seaman, Deck Fitter, Pumpman, Bosun, Trainee Wiper/Fitter, Wiper, Motorman, and Fitter.
The position you receive after completing GP Rating depends on your department, company, and employment opportunity. Ordinary Seaman is one of the entry-level deck positions, while Trainee Wiper/Fitter is an entry-level engine position.
The salary range provided for an Ordinary Seaman in this guide is ₹60,000 to ₹75,000 per month.
The salary range provided for an Able-Bodied Seaman is ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,24,000 per month.
A Bosun is a senior deck rating responsible for various deck activities, including work involving knots, hitches, bends, whips and splices used in shipboard operations such as anchoring.
A Wiper works in the engine room and is responsible for engine-room maintenance while also working as part of the engine-room watch team.
A Motorman is responsible for maintenance and repair work involving the engine room, machine room and engine-room equipment.
Neither department is universally better. The right choice depends on whether you prefer deck operations and watchkeeping or machinery, maintenance and engine-room work.