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merchant navy engineering officer

Engineering officers in the Merchant Navy operate and maintain the ship's:

  • propulsion systems
  • power generation and distribution
  • fuel supplies
  • water and sewerage systems
  • ventilation and refrigeration
  • computer-controlled management equipment
  • navigation and communications systems.
They are also responsible for ensuring the ship's hull and deck fittings (cranes, hoists and landing equipment) are in sound condition.
 
Engineering officers work on passenger ferries, cruise liners, dry bulk carriers and container vessels, tankers, salvage ships, and marine mining and research vessels. They work at sea and in port.
 
The engineering role has four levels:
 
Chief engineer – has overall responsibility for planning engineering tasks and detailing staff.
 
Second engineering officer – is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of engineering staff and engine crew. Main duties include the upkeep of the engines.
 
Third engineering officer – assists the second officer and also supervises the maintenance of electrical plant.
 
Fourth engineering officer - works in all aspects of machinery maintenance.
 
Engineers are also responsible for the maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment on board the ship, such as communications and navigation systems. This role falls to an electrical specialist – the electro-technical officer – or forms part of the main duties of the third officer.
 
Generic duties include:
  • making scheduled maintenance checks on machinery and systems
  • responding to equipment failure alerts
  • diagnosing and repairing faulty equipment
  • making sure fuel levels and stocks of spare parts are adequately maintained
  • updating record management systems
  • providing training and support for trainee cadets.
In the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (civilian-crewed ships that support the Royal Navy), engineering officers are also responsible for weapons maintenance.

Hours and Environment

Engineering officers work shifts, known as ‘watches’, which vary according to the size of the ship. On a large vessel they may work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off duty. Time at sea can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of ship and its purpose. Periods of leave in-between voyages also vary.

 
Engineers spend most of the time in the engine control room and the engine room, which can be noisy and hot. Sometimes they have to work in uncomfortable conditions, such as confined spaces or refrigerated areas. Officers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary may have to work in conflict zones.

Skills and Interests

To be a Merchant Navy engineering officer you should:

  • have and aptitude for mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering
  • have excellent maths, science, technology and IT skills
  • be able to communicate effectively with staff at all levels
  • be able to prioritise workloads
  • be able to plan effectively including contingencies
  • be able to accept responsibility
  • be decisive
  • have good teamworking skills
  • be able to cope with being away from home, often for long periods of time.

Entry

There are several entry options to train as an engineer in the Merchant Navy, including:

  • engine room apprenticeships
  • sponsored cadet schemes
  • sponsored undergraduate training
  • postgraduate routes.

In addition, employers would consider Royal Navy officers with appropriate experience.

Shipping companies have different requirements for entry onto their apprenticeship and sponsored training schemes, but generally ask for a minimum of four GCSE/S grades including maths, science and English or equivalent. You also undergo a medical examination before being accepted for training.

Cadet training programmes typically last about three years and combine college-based study with sea-going practical experience. Programmes lead to NVQ/SVQ Marine Vessel Engineering/Operations at Level 3 and BTEC HND in Marine Engineering.

Undergraduate entrants study a four-year programme normally leading to a degree in marine engineering. This incorporates a year at sea to gain work experience.

Entrants with a science-related degree can do a conversion course at postgraduate level to move into this role.

For details about all of the entry routes, training, colleges and links to shipping companies, see the websites in Further Information for:

  • Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB)
  • Marine Society
  • A Career at Sea
  • International Shipping Federation (ISF).

Training

As stated above, the type of training you receive will depend on which way you enter the service. The cadet training scheme comprises five phases:

 
Phase one – six months' college-based study, starting the NVQ/SVQ and training in shipboard familiarisation, first aid, fire-fighting, personal survival, health and safety, and basic engineering skills.
 
Phase two – first sea phase of approximately three to four months, compiling evidence for the NVQ/SVQ portfolio and learning basic engineering tasks on board ship.
 
Phase three – undertake study for the BTEC HND in Marine Engineering Part One, covering areas such as engineering science, pneumatics and hydraulics, instrumentation and control, electrical systems, diesel propulsion and turbines.
 
Phase four – a further six months at sea, completing evidence requirements for the NVQ/SVQ portfolio and assisting the duty engineer.
 
Phase five – final six months in college to complete the HND Part Two and assessments for the NVQ/SVQ award. Also complete examination for the Certificate of Competency required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
 
On completion of the scheme, you will be eligible to join a ship as a junior or fourth engineer.
 
For undergraduate and postgraduate details, see the Entry section.
 
The MNTB, in conjunction with employers, is developing foundation degrees as a training route for this career. These should be available by September 2006 and they envisage that these will replace the HNDs at some point after that. For more details see the MNTB website.

Opportunities

Opportunities in the Merchant Navy are good as forecasts for seaborne trade expect it to double over the next 10 years, with UK companies well placed to take advantage. Opportunities also exist with overseas companies.

Consideration for promotion is based on length of service and on merit, together with possession of the relevant MCA Competency Certificate. Experienced engineering officers are in demand for both on-shore and off-shore positions, with production and process plants, shipping companies and nautical colleges.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. Trainee rates will depend on the individual companies' sponsorship schemes.

The recommended minimum rate for cadets with GCSE/S grade entry qualifications is £6,720 a year; for A level/H grade holders, this rises to £7,200 a year.

Salaries for fourth engineering officer are between £20,000 and £22,000.
Third officer: £21,000 to £27,000.
Second officer: £25,000 to £33,000.
Chief engineering officer: £32,000 to £50,000.

The employer will pay for food and accommodation at sea, and some travel costs when onshore. Rates of pay and holiday (leave) entitlement for engineering officers vary between companies.

Further information

Carthusian Court
12 Carthusian St
London
EC1M 6EZ
Tel: 0800 085 0973
http://www.mntb.org.uk
202 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7JW
Tel: 020 754 7000
http://www.marine-society.org
http://www.gotosea.org.uk
http://www.marisec.org/careers

 

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Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice