What does a marine engineer do?
Do you enjoy working with engines?
Would you enjoy being out on the water?
Tug boats assist large vessels to berth and unberth from the wharf. Tugs also assist larger vessels to manoeuvre in ports, assist disabled ships, and tow barges. Tugboats are very manoeuvrable, and have massive power. However if the engine breaks down the tug could tip over, so the marine engineer is an invaluable member of the crew.
The tug boats’ commercial role is to deliver service on time. The marine engineer assists the tug boat master by ensuring that the engine is reliable. Tug boats must be careful to avoid collisions in their operations as this could cause environmental damage or loss of life.
Marine engineers working on tug boats can perform a number of tasks on board. These can include:
- starting and stopping the engine
- trouble-shooting faults
- routine maintenance eg changing oil filters
- on board repairs and welding
- mooring and unmooring the vessel
- steering the boat between jobs to relieve the captain
- helping to put the line up to ships so that they can attach to the tug’s winch.
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES
Achievements & highlights
If you enjoy working with machines and solving problems, this is a job that gives you a great deal of satisfaction. Being out on the water is another added bonus.
Challenges
It can be hot, dirty and noisy in an engine room. It is shift work, and that can mean working even if you feel tired.