Marine engineering is a multi-disciplinary field requiring an understanding and knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems.
Marine engineers work in:
- Shipbuilding and ship repair: engineers design, develop and construct ships and all the associated machinery, and keep them maintained and repaired.
- Merchant Navy: marine engineer officers make sure machinery, instruments and systems on ships work safely and efficiently.
- Royal Navy: marine engineer officers specialise in surface ships, submarines or weapons.
- Offshore oil and gas industry: engineers design, construct, modify and operate offshore platforms and associated systems.
- Marine surveying: engineers inspect ships and offshore installations and plant, for safety and insurance purposes.
- Experienced marine engineers are usually either incorporated or chartered.
Marine engineers have to be flexible about working hours, and may have to work shifts.
Salaries range from around £20,000 to £40,000 a year.
Marine engineers should:
- be interested in science and technology
- be creative problem solvers
- be good at maths and science.
Employers include, offshore gas and oil installations, the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy, plant and equipment manufacturers, shipping companies, shipbuilding and repair yards, government departments and Lloyds Register.
The normal way to train as an engineer is to study full time at university or college for a first degree. Mature applicants with relevant experience are usually welcomed.
What is the work like?
Marine engineers design, construct, operate and maintain engineering systems used in ships and offshore installations.
Marine engineering is a multidisciplinary field. It requires a knowledge of naval construction, together with marine, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering. Engineers work on systems capable of operating continuously and safely in a hostile environment in all weathers.
Experienced marine engineers are usually either incorporated or chartered.
Incorporated engineers specialise in developing and applying modern technology, and play a vital role within any organisation, which depends on a skilled technical workforce.
Chartered engineers may be involved in research and development, or manufacture and installation. They may progress into senior general management - typically as project leaders - and be responsible for teams of incorporated engineers and technicians.
A marine engineer may work in any of the following areas:
- Shipbuilding and ship repair: engineers are involved in the design, development and construction of ships.
- Merchant Navy: marine engineer officers make sure machinery, instruments and systems on ships work safely and efficiently.
- Royal Navy: marine engineer officers specialise in surface ships, submarines or weapons.
- Offshore oil and gas industry: engineers are involved in the design, construction, modification and operation of offshore platforms and associated systems.
- Marine surveying: engineers inspect ships and offshore installations and plant, examining their design, construction, seaworthiness, safety and maintenance.
Starting salaries are around £20,000 a year.
Hours and environment
Marine engineers may work:
- at a shipyard, either in the UK or overseas, where hours would be long and they may be working outdoors
- in a shore-based design office
- on board a ship as an engineering officer.
Some marine engineers may be away from home for long periods, on ships, submarines or offshore installations. Some jobs, eg in design or construction, are shore-based. Many jobs involve a combination of indoor and outdoor work. Outdoor work involves physical activity such as climbing and bending. The working conditions can be unpleasant - cold, hot, humid, cramped, wet, etc.
The work involves meeting deadlines, so it is essential to be flexible about working hours. It may be necessary to work shifts.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide - actual rates of pay may vary.
- Graduate salaries start around £20,000 a year.
- Experienced marine engineers earn around £35,000.
- The average income for qualified marine engineers is £40,000.
Skills and personal qualities
Marine engineers need:
- an affinity with the sea
- an open and enquiring mind
- to be creative problem solvers
- to be good at maths and science
- computer skills
- a logical approach to problem solving
- to be able to analyse and interpret data
- good spoken and written communications skills
- to be physically fit for outdoor work
- to be able to work in a team.
Interests
It helps to have an interest in:
- science and technology
- finding out how things work.
Getting in
There are opportunities for marine engineers in:
- offshore gas and oil installations
- the Merchant Navy
- the Royal Navy
- plant and equipment manufacturers
- shipping companies
- shipbuilding and repair yards.
Entry for young people
Although it is possible to begin training for craft or technician-level jobs straight from school with good GCSEs/S grades in English, maths and science, the normal way to train as an engineer is to study full time at university or college for a first degree.
Entry is with at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) and two or three A levels/three or four H grades, normally including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications such as an Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE).
At many universities, students without the necessary background in science and maths can take a one-year foundation course instead.
Graduate apprenticeships in engineering may be available for young people in England. These bring together study at degree or diploma level with structured work-based learning.
School leavers can train in marine engineering with the Royal or Merchant Navy.
Entry for adults
Mature applicants with relevant experience are usually welcomed, and some universities, such as Strathclyde, have a deliberate policy of encouraging mature candidates.
There is a trend for seagoing marine engineers and deck officers, qualified to HNC/HND level, to continue their education after completing their service at sea.
The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology has a special mature candidate route to registration as a chartered engineer for candidates over the age of 35 with considerable experience as a practising engineer.
Training
Engineering is a field where it is worth getting the highest qualifications achievable, and obtaining either incorporated or chartered status.
To qualify as an incorporated marine engineer individuals should:
- have an accredited three-year degree, or equivalent qualification
- complete a period of initial professional development, including practical training and professional engineering experience
- successfully pass a professional review
- gain corporate membership of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.
The Institution of Incorporated Engineers offers a number of awards to help women who are studying for Incorporated Engineer qualifications.
To qualify as a chartered marine engineer individuals must:
- have an accredited MEng degree, or equivalent qualification
- complete a period of initial professional development which includes training and professional engineering experience
- successfully pass a professional review with an interview
- gain corporate membership of the Institute of Maritime Engineers.
Getting on
Once they become qualified, marine engineers have good prospects of promotion, particularly if they combine engineering skills with managerial aptitude. They may also become self-employed as contract engineers, consultants or independent marine surveyors.
Further information
The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ. 020 7382 2600. Website: www.imarest.org
Directorate of Naval Recruitment, Room 043, Victory Building, HMS Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LS. 0845 607 5555. Website: www.rnjobs.co.uk
Merchant Navy Training Board, Carthusian Court, 12 Carthusian Street, London EC1M 6EZ. 020 7417 2800. Website: www.mntb.org.uk
Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London SW1H 9JJ. 020 7222 7899. Website: www.imeche.org.uk
The Engineering Careers Information (ECIS), 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0ST. 0800 282167. Website: www.enginuity.org.uk
The Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IEE), Savoy Hill House, Savoy Hill, London WC2R OBS. 020 7836 3357. Website: www.iie.org.uk
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), 10 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BQ. 020 7235 4622. Website: www.rina.org.uk
Further reading
Careers in Maritime Engineering - The Institute of Marine Engineers
Engineering Casebook - CRAC/Hobsons
Magazines/Journals:
Marine Engineers' Review
The Journal of Offshore Technology
Professional Engineering
The Engineer
The Naval Architect
The Motor Ship
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