Marine mechanic

Marine mechanics are in charge of the engines and mechanical parts of the vessel and replace defective equipment and parts. They communicate with other crew members on the operational level. Marine mechanics maintain and repair the engines and the other machinery of vessels such as boilers, generators and electrical equipment.

The duties of a marine mechanic include, but a re not limited to:

• Performing preventative maintenance checks, lubrications, and minor repairs on equipment such as engines, transmissions, steering mechanisms, and drive shafts to ensure proper functioning
• Inspecting and testing new equipment before it is put into use in order to ensure that it meets safety standards
• Troubleshooting problems with equipment or machinery to identify the cause of malfunctions
• Instructing other servicemen on how to operate or repair machinery or equipment
• Installing and repairing motors, pumps, and other machinery used by ships and boats
• Repairing marine engines, motors, pumps, and other machinery
• Diagnosing problems with machinery or equipment and recommending solutions to fix them
• Maintaining vessel logs and records of work performed on vessels
• Inspecting and repairing boats for sale or rent to ensure they meet safety standards and are in good condition.

Marine mechanics work in a variety of settings, including marinas, boatyards, and private repair shops. They may also be employed by the government or by private companies that operate fleets of boats.

Most marine mechanics work full time, and many work overtime, especially during the summer months when boating is at its peak. They may work in all weather conditions, indoors and outdoors, and may be exposed to hazardous materials, such as fuel and oil.

Marine mechanics must be able to lift heavy objects and to work in cramped spaces. They also need to be able to read and interpret technical manuals.

The following job titles also refer to marine mechanic:

mechanic on a ship
ship machinist
cargo ship mechanic
container ship mechanic
merchant ship mechanic
passenger ship mechanic
marine mechanic
cruise ship mechanic

Marine mechanics are typically required to have a high school diploma. Many marine mechanics also choose to pursue an associate’s degree in marine technology or marine engineering technology. These two-year degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to work as marine mechanics.

Marine mechanics can receive on-the-job training from a senior marine mechanic or marine engineer. This training can last for a few months to a year, depending on the size of the vessel and the complexity of the systems. Marine mechanics can also receive training from the military, where they learn basic marine engineering skills.

Marine mechanics need a valid marine engine mechanic certification to work on boats in marine service industries. Candidates can earn this certification through the International Marine Engineering Academy.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Marine mechanic is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to marine mechanic.

engine minder
matrose
aircraft maintenance technician
decksman
ordinary seaman

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of marine mechanic. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of marine mechanic with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

helmsman
ship duty engineer
ship assistant engineer
aircraft maintenance engineer
skipper

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of marine mechanic.

• International waterways: The international waterways used for maritime navigation, the geographical location of currents, maritime waterways, and harbours.
• Functions of vessel deck equipment: Know and control deck and safety equipment and vessel lifting facilities.
• Mechanics of vessels: The mechanics involved in boats and ships. Understand the technicalities and participate in discussions over related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
• Vessel fuels: Know and understand characteristics of fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.
• Electrical systems used in transportation: Understand the functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.
• European classification of inland waterways: Understand the European CEMT classification of inland waterways; use modern information systems to compare the dimensions of the waterway to those of the vessel.
• Inland waterway ship building: Understand inland waterway ship building and construction. Operate vessel in compliance with construction legislation.
• Distinguish ship construction methods: Distinguish various methods of constructing vessels and how this affects their behaviour in the water in terms of strength and stability.
• National waterways: Know the national waterways used for inland navigation, know geographical location of rivers, canals, seaports and inland harbours, and understand the relationship with cargo flows.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
• Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

These skills are necessary for the role of marine mechanic.

• Prepare main engines for navigation operations: Prepare and operate main engines for navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow procedure implementation.
• Maintain records of maintenance interventions: Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
• Repair engines: Repair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.
• Execute safety assurance exercises: Organise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.
• Moor vessels: Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Ensure integrity of hull: Ensure sure that water does not break the hull; prevent progressive flooding.
• Operate vessel engine room: Operate and maintain the engine room of vessels. Operate the main engine room where the engine and propulsion machinery are located.
• Communicate reports provided by passengers: Transmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.
• Clean parts of vessels: Clean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Apply vessel engine regulations: Understand the regulations regarding the vessel engines and apply those regulations in engine maintenance and operation.
• Apply regulations on cargo transport operations: Display knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Repair vessel mechanical systems: Repair mechanical systems of vessels while on-board. Ensure that vessel malfunctions are repaired without affecting the voyage in progress.
• Manage vessel control systems: Know, operate, test and maintain control systems of vessels. Maintain and if necessary repair electronic components of vessel control systems.
• Detect malfunctions in engines: Detect and effectively respond to machinery malfunctions. Take actions in order to prevent material damage; practice damage control.
• Ensure vessel compliance with regulations: Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Prepare equipment for navigation operations: Prepare and operate main and auxiliary equipment supporting the navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow implementation procedures.
• Distinguish various types of ships: Recognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport; understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.
• Adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterways: Understand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Unmoor vessels: Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
• Prevent damage to electrical devices on board: Protect on board electrical equipment; identify anomalies and malfunctions in the electro-technology of vessels.
• Maintain vessel engine room: Maintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.
• Evaluate engine performance: Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of marine mechanic. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Multimodal transport logistics: Understand logistics and multimodal transport as the planning and control of the movement of goods or people, and all related logistical supporting activities.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Electric generators: The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.
• Principles of cargo stowage: Understand the principles of cargo stowage. Understand procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.
• Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of marine mechanic. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Purchase supplies: Purchase and replenish supplies; make sure that all required goods are available in stock.
• Repair heating equipment: Repair boilers, heat exchangers, fired heaters, tanks, reactors and other pressure vessels by use of welding techniques applied to cut and formed metal sheets.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Work in a rail transport team: Work confidently within a group in rail transport services, in which each individual has their own responsibility in working towards a common goal such as a good interaction with the customers, railway safety, and rolling stock maintenance.
• Use riverspeak to communicate: Use Riverspeak to communicate in technical and nautical terms.
• Provide feedback on job performance: Provide feedback to employees on their professional and social behaviour in the work environment; discuss results of their work.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Inspect engine rooms: Inspect engine rooms to detect the presence of any hazardous materials, and to ensure legal compliance. Inspect the construction of the rooms, the functionality of equipment, the adequacy of room ventilation, and the frequency of maintenance activities.
• Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
• Monitor pumping system operations: Monitor pump works, ballast, and loading pump systems, alongside tracking the required actions of the pumping crew.
• Encourage teambuilding: Stimulate teambuilding activities; coach employees in order to help them reach their goals.
• Repair maritime communication equipment: Repair maritime communication devices as required by using electronic testing equipment.
• Show confidence: Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one’s own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
• Maintain hydraulic systems: Perform routine maintenance and repairs on systems which use pressurised fluids to provide power to machines and equipment.
• Repair vessel electrical systems: Execute on board repairs of vessel electrical systems. Resolve malfunctions without affecting the course of the journey.
• Maintain vessel steering mechanisms: Maintain and repair, if necessary, the mechanisms such as propellers that make the steering of vessels possible.
• Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
• Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
• Swim: Move through water by means of the limbs.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.
• Implement workplace drug policies: Implement strict policy of alcohol and drug prohibition in the workplace and take immediate action in the case of infringement.

7233 – Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers

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References

1. Marine mechanic – ESCO
2. Marine Mechanic Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
3. Featured image: By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jose E. Ponce. – This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 030625-N-2819P-007