What does a ship engineer do?

What is a Ship Engineer?

A ship engineer is someone who supervises and oversees the activity of a crew of technicians aboard a commercial, research, or military ship. The operation of engines, pumps, propeller shafts, electronic equipment, and auxiliary equipment such as refrigerators and communication equipment is supervised, coordinated, and adjusted by ship engineers.

Ship engineering is a difficult yet challenging occupation due to the complexity of the task and the need to make quick decisions during sea operation when replacement parts, new equipment and technical service may become scarce or unavailable.

What does a Ship Engineer do?

In today's fast paced world, maritime, riverine and other methods of water transport is done by commercial vessels that need to be technically maintained, repaired and monitored for proper operation. This job requires a deep understanding of technical processes, interaction between various parts of a ship's equipment, but also communication with the ship's crew and its captain.

Ships engineers are in charge of crews who maintain and repair technical equipment such as ship engines, pumps, electrical wiring, communication systems and refrigeration equipment. These individuals also have the task of creating comprehensive reports about the ship's current technical status, and requesting any necessary repairs in nearby ports.

However, sometimes a ship's technical crew may not have the "luxury" to wait until the vessel reaches a port, and it has to perform emergency repairs on the spot to ensure decent ship operation. Ship engineers also act as liaisons between the ship's command and its captain and technical crews. While people on the deck are usually responsible for navigation, cargo safety, legal issues and communication with port authorities, ship engineers and their crews are responsible for technical operations "below deck."

The engine is the heart of a ship. Any malfunction may cause unnecessary delays and even dangerous situations, and it is a ship engineer's task to quickly figure out where the problem resides, make the necessary repairs, report to the captain and make sure anything similar does not happen again during the cruise.

When a ship's captain or navigation officers make changes in a ship's speed and direction, its technical crews and their engineers are responsible for making sure that the "technical" aspect of the changes do not affect the overall operation of the maritime vessel. However, ship engineers also respond to emergency situations such as leaks, fires and other dramatic events on board. They conduct and oversee safety operations, emergency drills and check on the readiness of the technical crew to face difficult situations while at sea.

What is the workplace of a Ship Engineer like?

Ship engineers work aboard ships, and more exactly, in the compartments where the technical equipment and engines are located. However, ship engineers may also conduct emergency drills and work with the other crew members to make sure they follow technical safety procedures. They work closely with navigation officers and with the ship's captain to ensure proper communication between navigation requirements and the technical potential of a maritime vessel.