Ship Engineers

Career summary

#No alternate titles

Ship engineers operate and maintain propulsion engines. They also run machinery such as:

• Boilers
• Generators
• Pumps

A typical deep-sea merchant ship has four engineering officers. These include a chief engineer and a first, second, and third assistant engineer. The size and service of the ship determine the number of the crew for a voyage. Small vessels may have only one engineer or none.

Ship engineers regulate the engines to control the speed of the ship. They keep records of what they do in engineering logs. They note changes in the ship's speed and direction.

Assistant engineers stand periodic watches. They oversee the safe operation of the engines and machinery. They test machinery and equipment to make sure everything is running properly.

Ship engineers inspect and maintain the engines and other equipment. They order spare parts and oil as well as maintain inventories. They clean and repair machinery using hand or power tools. They may direct qualified members of the engine department (QMEDs) to repair or replace defective parts. QMEDs work in the engine spaces below the decks, under the direction of the ship's engineering officers. They may operate pumps and valves.

Engineers often participate in safety drills to practice what to do in an emergency.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Commercial Fishers
• Gas and Oil Plant Operators
• Heavy Equipment Mechanics
• Power Plant Operators
• Pump Operators
• Ship Captains and Mates
• Ship Pilots
• Stationary Engineers
• Transportation Inspectors
• Water Treatment Plant Operators

Military careers

• Ship Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to ship engineers.

• Operate engines, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery on ships.
• Start engines to propel ship. Regulate engines to control the speed of the ship.
• Keep records in engineering logs and bellbooks. Note changes in speed and direction of the ship.
• Participate in emergency drills.
• Stand periodic watches. Oversee the safe operation of engines and machinery.
• Inspect and maintain engines and other equipment.
• Report any abnormalities in ship operation. Clean and repair equipment using hand and power tools.
• Direct crew members and technicians to repair or replace defective parts of engines and other equipment.
• Follow international regulations on using lifesaving equipment and preventing pollution.
• Monitor and test operations of engines and equipment.
• Operate and maintain off-loading pumps and valves.
• Order spare parts and oil. Maintain inventory.

Common work activities

Ship engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Control machines and processes
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Handle and move objects
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Get information needed to do the job
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Think creatively
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, ship engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are responsible for the work done by the engine crew.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of the ship's crew.
• Have a medium level of job-related social contact.
• Communicate with others primarily by face-to-face discussions and over the phone.
• Often work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors, but may sometimes work outdoors.
• Are exposed to loud and distracting noise levels and sounds on a daily basis.
• Are regularly exposed to contaminants.
• Are exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather, on a daily basis.
• Are regularly exposed to hazardous equipment, conditions, and situations that may result in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
• Sometimes work in cramped places that require getting into awkward positions.
• Sometimes must work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
• Occasionally experience whole body vibration while working.
• Sometimes are exposed to high places.
• May wear a special uniform on some ships.
• May work physically near others.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the ship's crew or passengers.
• Must be constantly aware of weather conditions and other changing events.
• Must be sure that all details of the job are done so that engines run properly and efficiently.
• Repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Sometimes must match the speed of work to the pace of equipment.
• Often make decisions that affect others, including coworkers and the performance of the vessel. Occasionally they may seek input before making important decisions.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a regular basis.

Hours/travel

• Work for 60 days and then have 30 days off, if employed on Great Lakes ships. However, these workers do not work in the winter, when the lakes are frozen.
• May work year round on rivers, canals, and in harbors. Some work eight or 12-hour shifts and go home every day. However, ships that make short voyages often do not have engineers.
• Usually stand watch for four hours and are off for eight hours, seven days a week.
• May have long periods away from home.

Physical demands

Ship engineers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for ship engineers to be able to:

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for ship engineers to be able to:

• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.

Skills and abilities

Ship engineers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Maritime Sciences

Other programs of study to consider

• Boat Maintenance and Repair
• Engineering Technology, General
• Industrial Mechanics
• Organizational Leadership

Training

To work as a ship engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete a formal training program;
• have one to five years of related work experience; and
• have a merchant marine license.

Education after high school

Training programs for ship engineers are approved and monitored by the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security. All ship engineers must be licensed by this agency.

You can prepare for this occupation by attending the US Merchant Marine Academy or one of the six state academies. Three academies are located on the East Coast, in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. The other three are located in Michigan, Texas, and California.

These academies offer a four-year training program that leads to a bachelor's degree. The training at the academies prepares you for the licensing exam. Courses cover topics such as fire fighting, marine engineering, electric circuits, and safety. You also study propulsion, marine refrigeration and air conditioning, and electrical power. Marine engineering programs typically include a training cruise component. After graduating, you may pursue a license as a third assistant engineer.

Work experience

Ship engineers typically have several years of work experience. You can prepare by gaining experience as an ordinary seaman. Local unions provide training. As you gain experience and ratings, you move up the ranks.

On-the-job training

Because of the fast changing demands of technology, you may receive additional training on the job. Employers may provide training or pay for college course work so you can update your technical skills or expand your administrative skills.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be ship engineers. You need a bachelor's degree to enter this military occupation. Training lasts three to 12 months, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Fundamentals
• Diesel Mechanics and Repair
• Electronics
• Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire applicants who have technical skills, experience, and an engineering officer's license.

Costs to workers

Costs include all-weather clothing and license fees. Many workers join a union and pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues.

Licensing/certification

Ship engineers must be licensed by the US Coast Guard. There are different requirements depending on the position and type of craft. To qualify for an engineering officer's license, applicants usually must:

• graduate from the US Merchant Marine Academy or state academy;
• pass a written exam;
• pass a physical, hearing, and vision exam, and drug-screening test;
• take oath before authorized official to perform all duties as required;
• be a US citizen or hold a green card;
• hold or have applied for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC);
• submit fingerprints and two forms of identification;
• hold certificates in first aid and Certified Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); and
• spend a certain number of hours working on watercraft.

The required number of hours on watercraft depends on the type of license applied for. Those who want to work on ocean vessels must put in more hours than those for lake or river vessels. In addition, more hours are required for work on large boats than on small boats.

Those who have at least three years of sea experience can be licensed if they pass the written exam. It is difficult to pass the exam without training or independent study.

For more information about licensing, contact:

United States Coast Guard
National Maritime Center
Merchant Mariner Licensing & Documentation 
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
888.427.5662

#no local phone # on website so removed.  3/30/16 lh. Checked licensing 1/30/17 cj. removed testing ctr info 3/26/18 lh. Need to dig to find licensing info but generally appears to be the same, 3/13/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Ship Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary widely based on the engineer's rank and experience. Wages also vary by destination. Wages are higher for trips across the ocean than for other waters. However, workers may wait months between jobs, which reduces their yearly income.

Many engineers who work full time on American ships receive benefits. These benefits may include health insurance and sick leave. Some employers also provide retirement plans.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Cargo and passenger transportation companies
• Towing companies
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Growth in this occupation is declining. Changes in the demand for bulk commodities, such as petroleum products, iron ore, and grains, influences the demand for water transportation workers. When demand slows, so does the need for workers. 

Job openings occur as people retire or leave the occupation for other reasons.

Other resources

Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific 
1711 West Nickerson Street, Suite D
Seattle, WA 98119
206.284.6001

International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots 
700 Maritime Boulevard, Suite B
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
877.667.5522
410.850.8500

Military SeaLift Command 
CIVMAR Support Center
6353 Center Drive, Building 8, Suite 202
Norfolk, VA 23502
866.562.7672

Profiles in Ocean Careers 

Sailors' Union of the Pacific 
4005 20th Ave. West, Ste 115
Seattle, WA 98199
206.467.7944

Seafarers International Union 

Transportation Institute 
5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746
301.423.3335

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Ship Engineers (53-5031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Engineer (197.130-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Technology Professional