Choosing a career in the merchant navy is a dream for many students who seek adventure, global travel, and a well-paying career. However, beyond academic qualifications and physical fitness, one of the most crucial and often misunderstood aspects is the eyesight requirement merchant navy. Vision plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety at sea, especially for those working on the navigation and deck side.

Understanding the eyesight requirement merchant navy is not just about meeting eligibility criteria—it’s about ensuring that every mariner can operate safely in challenging maritime environments. Poor vision can lead to accidents, errors in judgment, and serious legal consequences. That’s why these requirements are set by maritime authorities across the world and are strictly followed in training and employment.

At Skillsstation, the Best merchant navy coaching institute, students are thoroughly guided about all medical standards, including the eyesight requirement merchant navy, so they can prepare early and avoid disqualification during medical examinations.

Why Eyesight Matters in the Merchant Navy

The merchant navy demands high levels of alertness, situational awareness, and visual accuracy. Whether you are on deck performing watchkeeping duties or inside the engine room working with machinery, your vision plays a critical role. Meeting the eyesight requirement merchant navy is especially important for those aiming for the deck department, where identifying distant vessels, reading navigational charts, and reacting to visual signals are part of daily responsibilities.

Failing to meet the eyesight requirement merchant navy can mean disqualification from duty or even rejection during medical assessments. Therefore, cadets must take this requirement seriously from the start of their journey.

Standard Eyesight Requirement for Merchant Navy Cadets

Let’s break down the official standards for the eyesight requirement merchant navy, as defined by international maritime health protocols and Indian D.G. Shipping medical guidelines:

1. Deck Cadets and Navigating Officers

Unaided vision (without glasses or contact lenses): 6/6 in both eyes
Colour vision: Normal, tested using Ishihara charts
No night blindness
No squint or other serious eye conditions

2. Engine Cadets and Engineering Officers

Unaided vision: 6/12 in each eye OR better
Colour vision: Normal, as colour-coded indicators are vital in machinery
Corrective lenses are allowed, but candidates must be able to perform all duties

It’s important to note that the eyesight requirement merchant navy differs slightly between the deck and engine departments due to the nature of their work.

Colour Blindness and Merchant Navy Eligibility

One of the most common issues found during the eyesight requirement merchant navy check is colour blindness. Candidates who are unable to differentiate between red and green, for example, are usually deemed unfit for deckside roles because navigational lights and buoys are colour-coded.

At Skillsstation, we encourage early screening to identify any issues that may affect your eligibility. The eyesight requirement merchant navy is strict, and discovering a condition too late can jeopardise your career.

Common Eye Conditions That May Disqualify You

To ensure safety at sea, the eyesight requirement in merchant navy standards excludes several eye conditions. These include:

High Myopia or Hypermetropia (extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness)
Astigmatism beyond limits
Cataracts
Retinal disorders
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)

A thorough eye exam is part of the pre-sea training medical process. Candidates must satisfy the eyesight requirement merchant navy without compromise. If a candidate tries to hide an eye condition, it may lead to legal issues and immediate disqualification.

Corrective Measures: Can Glasses or LASIK Help?

For engine department aspirants, the use of glasses or contact lenses is usually allowed as long as vision is correctable to acceptable levels. However, for deck cadets and navigators, uncorrected vision must meet the eyesight requirement merchant navy—typically 6/6.

LASIK surgery is an option for some candidates, but it must be done well in advance of the medical exam, and post-operative stability must be proven. Maritime doctors will not approve anyone unless their vision meets the eyesight requirement merchant navy fully and safely.

Preparing for the Eyesight Requirement Merchant Navy Exam

If you aspire to a career at sea, the best thing to do is get your eyesight tested early, preferably at age 16–17. This gives you time to explore corrective options if necessary. At the Best merchant navy coaching institute, Skillsstation, we advise all students to:

Undergo detailed eye examinations before joining pre-sea courses
Take regular vision care seriously
Avoid excessive screen time
Protect eyes from harsh sun and dust conditions

Understanding and planning for the eyesight requirement merchant navy early gives you an edge over others and ensures a smooth selection process.

How Skillsstation Supports You

At Skillsstation, we take a proactive approach to helping our students meet all the requirements, including the eyesight requirement merchant navy. Our training process includes:

Early medical and vision screening
Awareness sessions on maritime medical eligibility
Guidance on corrective procedures and documentation
Mentorship for navigating the DG Shipping medical process

We provide full support for both deck and engine aspirants to ensure they meet every aspect of the eyesight requirement merchant navy without complications.

Conclusion

The eyesight requirement merchant navy is a non-negotiable standard for anyone dreaming of a career at sea. With your safety and the safety of others at stake, your vision must be precise, reliable, and medically certified. From early screenings to expert guidance, Skillsstation—the Best merchant navy coaching institute—is here to help you meet and exceed the eyesight requirement merchant navy. Prepare right, act early, and let nothing come between you and your maritime dream

Rayyan Alam

11:55 27 Jun 24

I heard about Skill Station from a senior and decided to join. When I got to Dehradun, I was thrilled with the great faculty and environment. Amrinder Sir is amazing – his communication skills, style, and personality are top-notch. He's more than a teacher; he's like a friend, brother, and mentor. Joining Skill Station was the best decision I made. Unlike other places, Sir helps you until you get selected. Last year, I achieved a 5452 rank in IMUCET but didn't get any company sponsorship. However, Sir didn't leave me. He took care of us until we were selected and continued to guide us even after our selection. This year, with his guidance, I improved to a 4600 rank in IMUCET and got sponsored by ESM. Skill Station feels like a family. Thank you, Sir!

Abhinav Garwal

10:40 27 Jun 24

Thank you Team Skills Station!

For always guiding me.
For not only making a relationship as a teacher-student but also to make a bond like a family members.

Special thank to Amrinder Sir for not only helping and guiding us but also to treat us like an elder brother in our all the tough and difficult situation.

❤️Thank you to all the members of Skills Station team.
- Abhinav Garwal

aakarsh negi

08:22 27 Jun 24

One of the best institutes I have seen that not only has good results but also great management. When I joined this institute, I was a bit shy and was not able to speak in public, but now my personality has completely changed. I am confident and bold, and now I like to socialize even more. Because of the teachers and their guidance, I was able to score a good rank in IMU-CET and got sponsored by Anglo.

Kirti Mishra

08:21 27 Jun 24

I'm a student of skill station by Amrinder sir , I'm a type of student who scared to talk in front of crowd and have a lack of confidence , but after joining skill station family Amrinder sir taught me and helped me in every single step I improved my personality . Our faculties present over there are very supportive , friendly and kind hearted they always present there to help us wherever we need they motivate us to keep growing.One more thing from my side Amrinder sir's classes is not just for interview's it'll always help you further in your life how to stay , how to adjust and how to grow with limited resources. With skill station family I learnt a lot of things .
Thanks skill station family specially a great personality Amrinder sir 🙏

ARYAN KAMRA

08:14 27 Jun 24

Skills Station Is Best academy For The preparation of merchant Navy , all the teachers Are very helpful and Hardworking they have years of experience joining skills station is one of my best decision I have ever taken in my life, Specially Amrinder Sir Who helped us in every situation we have faced during Our exams or interviews thank You to all the whole team of Skills Station Family because of you I Have secured Good Rank in Imucet I highly recommend new Comers please join Skills Station.

Deepika Rohilla

07:01 26 Jun 24

This is the best institute for Merchant Navy and Communication skills. Amrinder Sir helped me to gain confidence to clear the interviews. He always focuses to develop our personality. I am more confidant and more skillful now.