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Ship Engineers

Also called: Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Port Engineer, Tug Boat Engineer

What they do:

Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.

On the job, you would:
  • Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • product and service development

Business

  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Integrity
  • Self Control

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Oracle Database

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Facilities management software

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Marine Software Marine Planned Maintenance

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $87,300

Education

Certificate after high school or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

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