Alumni Testimonials

Rajesh Kumar

SDP Batch 2020 | Currently sailing with Maersk Line

Home State: Bihar

"I came from a small village in Bihar. My family could barely afford my education beyond 10th. When I heard about HBIMS, I was skeptical — how could a 10th-pass boy from a village become a seafarer? But from the moment I arrived on campus, everything changed. The training was intense but the instructors believed in me. They taught me swimming from scratch — I had never even seen a pool before. After 6 months, I was placed on a Maersk container ship. My first salary was more than my father earns in a year. Today, I send money home every month and my family has a proper house. HBIMS didn't just give me a career — they gave my entire family a future."

Priya Sharma

SDP Batch 2022 | Sailing with Anglo-Eastern

Home State: Rajasthan

"As a woman entering the merchant navy, I faced doubt from everyone — my relatives, my neighbours, even some friends. But my parents stood by me, and HBIMS made sure I received the same rigorous training as every other cadet. The faculty never treated me differently — they held me to the same standards, and I rose to meet them. The personality development and English training gave me confidence I never knew I had. When I boarded my first ship with Anglo-Eastern, I was the only woman in the crew — and I held my own. To every girl reading this: if I can do it, so can you. The sea doesn't care about your gender, only your competence."

Ahmed Yusuf Khan

SDP Batch 2021 | Sailing with MSC

Home State: Uttar Pradesh

"I was working as a delivery boy in Lucknow, earning ₹8,000 a month. I saw an HBIMS advertisement and thought it was too good to be true. But after visiting the campus and meeting the team, I knew this was real. The 6 months were the hardest and most rewarding of my life — the discipline, the early mornings, the swimming pool (I was terrified of water!), the fire fighting drills. But the placement was guaranteed, and they delivered. I now earn more in one month at sea than I used to earn in a full year. I have visited 14 countries. My mother cries every time I video call her from a new port."

Suraj Kamble

SDP Batch 2019 | Now Bosun with Synergy Marine

Home State: Maharashtra

"I joined HBIMS in the second batch ever — Batch 2019. Back then, the institute was still new and I took a leap of faith. Best decision of my life. Within 4 years of completing the SDP, I have been promoted to Bosun on a Synergy Marine bulk carrier. My salary has gone from ₹35,000 in my first month to over ₹1.5 lakhs now. The training at HBIMS laid a solid foundation — the seamanship skills, the safety drills, the discipline. Everything I learned on campus, I use every day at sea. I am now guiding my younger brother to join HBIMS too."

Vikram Singh Rathore

SDP Batch 2023 | Sailing with CMA CGM

Home State: Haryana

"Being from Bawal itself, I used to see the HBIMS campus every day on my way to college. After dropping out of my BA due to financial problems, I decided to try the SDP. The campus that I had passed by hundreds of times became my home for 6 months. What impressed me most was the placement guarantee — they gave us a Sponsorship Letter from CMA CGM on literally the first day. No other institute does this. The English training transformed my communication skills. When I faced the company interview, I spoke with a confidence I never imagined I had. I am now sailing on a container vessel carrying cargo across Europe and Asia."