What’s it like working as a Marine Engineer?

As the experts on the mechanical workings of a ship, Marine Engineers design, develop, maintain and repair the machinery, propulsion and power supply systems of a ship.

Some Marine Engineers choose to specialise in one type of equipment such as pumps, engines, gears, heaters, or deck machinery, while others may concentrate on steps in shipbuilding, such as cost calculations. There is also scope for Marine Engineers to take on the role of inspectors, making sure that the equipment is working properly before a ship is launched.

What kind of work can I do?

A Marine Engineers job varies depending on the speciality and the scale of the position, but can include project planning, management, quality assurance and control, technical reviews of quotations, co-ordinating production, and managing operations and subcontractors.

Marine Engineers are technically trained and are able to design and oversee testing, installation, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment, as well as conducting analytical, environmental, operational, or performance studies in order to develop designs for products, such as marine engines, equipment, and structures.

On the design side, Marine Engineers work closely with the naval architect to design the propulsion, auxiliary power machinery, and other equipment needed to run the ship. On the installation side, Marine Engineers may be responsible for fitting equipment on ships and could supervise electrical equipment installation. There is also scope for training positions, guiding Ship Officers in the safe and efficient operation of equipment, through manuals or direct training.

Where can I work?

Most marine engineers find employment in private firms that build ships or make the equipment used in them. Typical employers include offshore and marine engineering companies, marine equipment suppliers, and companies in the defence industry that design and build warships, submarines or related craft.

A Marine Engineer is a technically-savvy shipping industry operative and one that the business could not survive without.

Ivan Lim, Project Manager, Operations

When Ivan Lim saw the television star Christopher Lee in the highly-rated local television series ’The Peak’, he could not help but laugh out loud. What Ivan found amusing was how simplistic Christopher Lee had made his job out to be.

Some scenes of ’The Peak’ were shot at Keppel Shipyard, where Ivan has been working as a Project Manager for the past 10 years. In fact, one of the vessels under his charge even made a special appearance as a prop in the backdrop.

The actor had coordinated the task of lifting heavy cargo by shouting a few simple commands into his walkie-talkie and gesticulating wildly. In real life, a project manager would have to make careful calculations and conduct hazard analysis before carrying out the task of lifting heavy cargo.

Ivan holds a Diploma in Marine Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic and a Masters in Engineering degree in Marine Engineering from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in U.K. He completed both courses under the scholarship programmes offered by Keppel Shipyard and Keppel Corporation. He is quick to add that education and experience must go hand-in-hand.

As a Project Manager in the shipyard, his education had prepared him on the technical aspects of managing resources to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Through on-the-job experience, he has learnt skills like interpreting drawings and contractual obligations, but most of all, managing a project through his team.

Ask Ivan and he will share his nugget of wisdom for those just starting out in a similar career. In fact, he has coined ’A.S.K.’ – Attitude, Skill and knowledge. He explains, ”First and foremost, one must have the right attitude, and ask when in doubt, the skills and knowledge will follow. That is my personal mantra, which I also share with my colleagues”.

Ivan gets a thrill every time his project is completed and he can deliver the ship to his client. His heart fills with pride during the naming ceremony of each vessel as he takes mental strolls through every deck, passage way and bilge of the entire ship. The indescribable sense of satisfaction stays with him a long time, spurring him to greater heights with his next project.

SOURCE: Singapore Maritime Careers

How big is this sector?

Marine Engineers are in demand due to increase in shipping trade activities globally, especially in the specialist fields of shipbuilding and ship operations. There is also scope for employment in ancillary service industries as consultants, equipment service and commissioning engineers, lecturers, examiners and even shipbrokers.