Marine engineering

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Viewer's note:This piece of writing would be a lot better if it actually explained what Marine Engineering is.

A ship's crew is divided into two distinct sections. Those who 'drive' the ship and those who maintain it. The drivers are the deck department whose manager is the Captain, and those who maintain and look after the technical side are the engineers, whose manager is the Chief engineer. Also on board are the 'ratings' who are experienced hands who, though not officers, play the central role in daily maintenance and operation of the ship. These include 'AB's' (able seamen) who, amongst other things, tie the ship to the quay, lower and raise anchor, chip and paint the deck and keep the place generally tidy; the catering department (cook, stewards etc), and the motormen (or fitters, depending on nomanclature), who play a large role in the daily upkeep of the engine room.


Marine Engineers are the officers of a ship which operate and maintain the propulsion and electrical generation systems onboard a ship. They also can help with the design, build, and repair of these complicated systems. New design is mostly included within the naval architecture or ship design. The merchant and military fleets of the world would not move without Marine Engineers. The field is closely related to mechanical engineering, although the modern engineer requires knowledge (and hands on experience) with electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemistry, control engineering, naval architecture, process engineering,gas turbines and even nuclear technology on military vessels.

Marine Engineering staff also deal with the "Hotel" facilities onboard, notably the sewage, lighting, air conditioning and water systems. They deal with bulk fuel transfers, and require training in firefighting and first aid, as well as in dealing with the ship's boats and other nautical tasks- especially with cargo loading/discharging gear and safety systems. However in many cases cargo is transferred by the deck officers and deck workers.

The original term engineer on a ship meant the people who dealt with the engines ("The black hand gang"), as opposed to the Consulting Engineer concept. Marine Engineers are generally much more hands on, and often get dirty, sweaty and hot doing their jobs. Care and thought is required, however, especially with heavy machinery in a seaway, and in managing the rest of the engine-room crew.

There are 4 classifications of Marine Engineering licences throughout the Coast Guard, those being Chief Engineer, 1st Engineer, 2nd Engineer, and 3rd Engineer.

A common Engineering crew for a ship is:

(1) Chief Engineer

(1-2) 1st Engineer(s)

(1) 2nd Engineer

(2-3) 3rd Engineers

(1-2) QMED (non-licenced qualified man in the engine department)

(4) Oilers (non-licenced unskilled hands)

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