Duties Of Marine Engineer In Merchant Navy

Marine Engineers ensure that all mechanical systems on the ship are in perfect working condition. You can become a marine engineer after doing a marine engineering degree, where you learn about constructing, running and maintaining ships, boats, submarines, and other seagoing vessels. You also gain knowledge about ship engines, propulsion systems, and onboard gear.

Read the article to know more about marine engineers, their roles, responsibilities and salary structure.

Duties Of A Marine Engineer In Merchant Navy

• The most important duty of a marine engineer is to check that the main engine is working properly and efficiently at all times.
• Marine Engineers also have to undertake the maintenance and repair of engines, generators, boilers and other machinery, if needed.
• He or she also has to oversee the performance of the engine room equipment, monitor temperature, pressure and fluid levels to prevent accidents, especially fires.
• Perform daily checks to detect any leaks or malfunctions.
• Follow the Planned Maintenance System to overhaul fuel pumps, valves and pistons before they fail.
• Maintain logs of machinery operations, repair and maintenance for future reference and transparency.
• Monitor how much fuel the vessel is using and manage lubrication systems to comply with environmental laws.
• Lead the staff of the engine room and assign daily tasks.
• Maintaining electrical systems, including motors, starters, and lighting.
• Keeping an eye on the working of fresh water generators, purifiers, and Refrigeration & HVAC systems.
• Maintain records of bunkering operations and soundings.
• Manage spare parts and chemical stocks to ensure the ship never runs out of critical components.
• Marine engineers must also adhere to the MARPOL (Maritime Pollution) regulations, ensuring bilge water pumped overboard has less than 15 ppm of oil. Maintain records of all oil transfers and discharges.
• Monitor the exhaust scrubbers and fuel sulfur content.
• Ensure vessel safety by seeing that fire pumps, carbon dioxide fixed-fire suppression systems and emergency generators are in working condition.
• Manage ballast systems to maintain the ship’s stability and trim in case of a hull breach.

How to become a Marine Engineer?

You need to do marine or mechanical engineering, complete the maritime training and sea time, obtain certifications like OOW or CoC from a STCW-compliant body such as the U.K, ensure you are physically fit, meet English/vision requirements, and ultimately progress from junior to chief engineer.

• Do a Bachelor’s in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Naval Architecture.
• Have a solid foundation in Physics, Chemistry, Math, and English.
• Try to get admission in renowned universities in the UK, USA, Netherlands, etc., for quality education, exposure and better career prospects.
• For mechanical graduates, a one-year Graduate Marine Engineering course is needed.
• Obtain certificates like Officer of the Watch (OOW), Engine Officer, and Chief Engineer’s Certificate of Competency (CoC).
• The UK CoC is internationally recognised.
• Gain experience through sea time in training or by joining ships as a junior engineer.
• Meet specific medical standards (vision, hearing, physical health) for sea service.
• Usually, IELTS/TOEFL or minimum marks in English are required.
• Ensure your training and certification meet the Flag State (country where the ship is registered) requirements and STCW standards for international work.

Best maritime colleges for Marine Engineering

Salary of Marine Engineers In Merchant Navy

Marine engineers are paid based on their rank, the type of ship they work on, the company they work for, and their experience level. However, their salaries range from 2000 to 4000 USD per month, for a 4th Engineer, to more than 10,000 to 17,000 USD per month for a Chief Engineer. Cadets are paid less, as it is an entry-level position.

Monthly salary for marine engineers based on rank-

• Engine Cadet/Trainee: $250 – $1,000+
• Fourth Engineer (Junior): $2,200 – $4,500
• Third Engineer: $3,200 – $6,100
• Second Engineer (Management Level): $5,500 – $12,600+ (over $11,000 on tankers)
• Chief Engineer: $8,000 – $17,000+ (higher on tankers and specialised vessels)

A few points to remember-

• Oil tankers, LNG Ships and Offshore DP vessels pay more than container ships and bulk carriers.
• Big shipping companies pay more than 3rd party management companies.
• Higher MEO (Marine Engineer Officer) certificates and seniority translate to better pay.
• Sailing through high-risk areas leads to bonuses.

Key Offshore Roles For Marine Engineers

• Marine engineers can secure offshore employment if they choose not to sail.
• Rig Engineer: Maintain and operate drilling equipment and other systems on offshore rigs and structures.
• Maintenance Engineer: Oversee the upkeep of machinery and other vital equipment.
• Structural Engineer: Design and maintain offshore structures.
• Wind Farm Engineer: Design, install, and maintain floating offshore wind turbines.
• Marine Surveyor: Conduct vessel inspections to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Work for DNV, Lloyd’s Register or Other Societies as surveyors or in a technical capacity.
• Naval Architect: Work in shipyards or companies to design new vessels and offshore structures.
• Oversee repairs, construction and maintenance of ships in shipyards.
• Become a fleet superintendent and manage a fleet of ships or a port engineer handling technical operations at a port facility.
• You can also become a marine consultant and offer maritime advice or go into the field of maritime training or education, where you can teach students aspiring to become seafarers.

Conclusion

Being a marine engineer is not easy. The position demands both physical and mental stamina. You might be covered in oil or grease after cleaning a centrifugal filter in the morning, and spend your afternoon analysing the engine indicator cards to calculate the indicated pressure of every cylinder to optimise combustion. If you are passionate and curious about ship machinery, solving problems and living a life at sea, then it might be the ideal career for you. However, you should be ready to work in high temperatures and noisy environments, but the sense of pride when the engine roars to life is worth everything.

You might also like to read-

• How to Become a Marine Engineer?
• Graduate Marine Engineering: Course, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career
• B.Tech Marine Engineering: Eligibility, Syllabus, Colleges, Sponsorships, Admission, Career
• What is Marine Engineering: Courses, Job Description & Salary
• How to become a Marine Engineer after doing Mechanical Engineering?

About Author

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