What’s it like working as an Engineering Cadet?

As part of the team servicing the working belly of the ship, Engineering Cadets assist and understudy the ship’s Engineering Officers in their duties.

Engineering Cadets enter into a training programme that lasts between 18 months and three years, a large part of which will be spent onboard receiving structured training and building up experience. Supplemented by shore-based learning, becoming an Engineering Cadet is the first step to reaching an Officer ranking onboard.

Photo Maritime Careers

What kind of work can I do?

Working through an internship-like program aboard ships, an Engineering Cadet will get involved in work in the control room, under the supervision of the Engineering Officers. They will also assist Engineering Officers in maintaining the ship’s main engines, and running and maintaining all mechanical equipment, including the operation and maintenance of pumps and fuel systems, electrical generating and distribution equipment, refrigeration, air conditioning plant, lifts, and cranes.

Where can I work?

Shipping companies are always looking for bright and ambitious candidates looking to start a Cadetship. However with no central agency for Cadets, those interested need to approach individual companies to find out about openings in Engineering Cadet schemes.

Typical employers include shipping companies, cruise companies, and ship agencies, and the work is, by its very nature, international. Positions are available on a range of ships, including bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships, and containerships.

Generally, Engineering Cadets receive an income and all training costs are covered by the sponsoring company.

Becoming an Engineering Cadet is the first move towards a rewarding career in the all-important engineering department of a merchant ship.

Photo Merchant Navy Training Board

Sam Lucas , Engineer Cadet, BP Shipping

I’m Sam Lucas, an engineer cadet, and this is my second trip. I have been onboard just over two weeks now, and have achieved quite a bit within this time. I’ve been made very welcome onboard and everyone has had time for any questions that I’ve had.

A few days into my trip I had the opportunity to go down in one of the lifeboats. This was very interesting, as I’ve only sailed with freefall lifeboats before. I was able to be in one of the lifeboats whilst it was been lowered, and able to watch the other one being lowered.

Because I’ve only sailed on diesel engine propelled ships, a steam turbine is very different to what I have seen before. All the engineers have made sure I know what is going on all the time. Whenever there is an opportunity for me to do something different and new, the engineers allow me to do it.

I’ve already gained a lot of knowledge and feel a lot more confident around the machinery.

I’ve traced some of the steam systems on board; this makes everything make more sense. As most of the systems are connected in some way, tracing them helps my understanding how it works. This was also very helpful for me to know my way around the engine room and know where important pumps were.

I was able to assist in the main boiler alarms and trips. This was especially beneficial to me, as I now know what will cause problems with the boilers and how to deal with them. This also gave me the chance to discover where important valves and gauges were on the boiler.

I went into a cofferdam; this was the first time I have done this. It was very interesting and good experience. It taught me a lot about the safety of going into enclosed spaces. It is always said what should be done, but carry out an exercise where you use all the safety aspects, you understand why they are needed.

I had to the opportunity to go ashore in Point Fortin in Trinidad the other day and did a spot of shopping. The town is not very big but there’s enough to do for a few hours. Everyone was friendly and nearly every shop I went into someone started talking to me.

Luckily I was with some people who had been to Trinidad before so they knew the best places to go. We had something to eat in a food complex place. It sold everything: pizzas, burgers, chicken.

All in all it has been a very exciting and beneficial few weeks onboard, and I’m enjoying it hugely!

Source: The Marine Society and Sea Cadets

How big is this sector?

There are over 50,000 ships in the world trading fleet, meaning that the number of positions available is relatively large. And with the fleet expected to increase in size over the next decade, the number of Cadetships available should keep on growing.

Increased automation and streamlining of operations has reduced the number of seafarers needed per voyage, however, minimum manning numbers laid down by international conventions has helped to balance that trend.

Photo Carly Fields