Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life
Ship Engineers
Ship Engineers supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Table of Contents
Job Description
Ship Engineers supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship. They also start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
Other tasks include:
- Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
We asked Ship Engineers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.
61%
47%
61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.
Typical Day At Work
On a daily basis, Ship Engineers clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean. They maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
A typical day for a Ship Engineer will also include:
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
- Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
We asked some Ship Engineers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.
Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? | 41% said yes | |
How important is it to work in a team in this job? | 25% said very important | |
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? | 85% said yes | |
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? | 9% said yes | |
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? | 7% said yes | |
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? | 61% said yes |
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Ship Engineers also perform or participate in emergency drills, as required. They may also order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Ship Engineers Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery. They might also Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
In addition, they Act as a liaison between a ship’s captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
To some Ship Engineers, it is also their responsibility to Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
Working life
More than 40 hours per week
Regular schedule like a 9 to 5
In a typical work week as a Ship Engineer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.
Is this right for me
The Builders and The Organizers
People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
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