- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Education High school diploma
- Average salary $50,000 to $82,000
Career profile
Marine engine room crew operate and maintain equipment and operations that keeps ships or vessels functioning. The equipment can be anything from engines, boilers, deck machinery, electrical, sanitary and refrigeration equipment. Much of the equipment is integral to the safety of the vessels used in oil and natural gas exploration, development and operations as well as offshore wind power generation project construction, maintenance and operations.
A marine engine room crew is made up certified and non-certified crew members who are responsible for maintaining the mechanical operations of offshore vessels.
A certified crew consists of a chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer, fourth engineer, and marine engineer trainee. This crew operates, troubleshoots and monitors all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration, water treatment and propulsion systems on the vessel. They also keep watch on deck.
A non-certified crew consists of junior engineers, pumpmen, oilers and wipers. Their duties include basic maintenance and operation, such as keeping all equipment lubricated and clean.
The number and variety of certified and non-certified engineering jobs aboard a vessel will depend on its type, size and complexity.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Maintaining the electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge and oily water separation systems of the vessel
- Assisting with the maintenance of lifeboats
- Assisting with basic maintenance activities involving the pumps, turbines, distilling plants and condensers
- Maintaining all moving parts of deck machinery
- Ensuring that staff are capable of maintaining high standards of performance and that they receive the appropriate technical training required for their respective positions
- Ensuring that the engineering room maintains a high level of readiness in the event of a system failure
Education
- Educational requirements for this occupation vary depending on the role. For non-certified crew members, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma (or equivalent). For certified crew members, certification from Transport Canada is required and progresses with increasing responsibilities from Fourth Class to First Class Marine Engineer. To achieve a leadership position in marine operations, many employers require a technology diploma or degree in nautical studies combined with relevant experience.
Certifications
- Specialized training and certifications through Transport Canada may be required.
- Basic survival training (BST)
- H2S Alive
- Offshore Survival Introduction (OSI)
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
- Standard and emergency first aid
Additional Requirements
- A signed medical from an approved doctor certifying physical fitness.
- Valid passport as offshore work may involve traveling in international waters and to other countries.
- Minimal or no travel
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You’re a handyman with mechanical aptitude and a knack for electronics and computers.
- Maintaining equipment
- Monitoring operations
- Public safety and security
- Troubleshooting
- Mechanical
- Critical thinking
- Management of personnel resources
- Management of material resources
- Controlling operations
- Repairing
