Marine engineering has become a much-desired tertiary education course in recent times. The changing business and economic landscape of the world is likely to make marine engineering graduates in much demand in the job market of the present day. Thus, it’s unsurprising that jobs for marine engineering graduates are becoming more plentiful all the time.
Those who have studied marine engineering in a degree or diploma programme will have learned much about the design, construction, and maintenance of vehicles and structures to be used on or around the sea. Marine engineering students will graduate with much knowledge about these topics as they pertain to sailboats, ships, tankers, submarines, and many other vehicles and objects intended for sea use. They also acquire information about a ship’s internal system comprising the electrical, steering, refrigeration, and propulsion systems.
Thanks to this wealth of knowledge, marine engineering graduates can seamlessly transition into a wide range of jobs besides that of an ordinary marine engineer. They can leverage what they learned during their days as a student to excel in their new role.
Ocean Engineer
An ocean engineer is an engineer who finds solutions to ocean-related problems involving wave hydrodynamics, ocean acoustics, and offshore structures, just to name a few. They are to design, build, test, and refine objects and equipment which are to be used in offshore environments, coastal environments, or both. Ocean engineers can benefit from understanding key concepts in civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering. By doing so, they will have a higher level of technical expertise and skills related to engineering activities conducted on the ocean.
Ocean engineers play important roles in the oil and gas, military, and marine navigation sectors because of their close associations with the ocean. In addition, coastal engineering has become an increasingly important topic for all ocean engineers. This is because more people than ever before live or work in coastal areas. For this reason, many issues such as pollution and waste disposal have begun to arise in these locations. An adept and qualified ocean engineer will be able to utilize much expertise and innovations to overcome these challenges and make coastal areas much more liveable for all residents.
Some ocean engineers may have to design and manage the installation and repair of marine apparatus and equipment. Others might need to solve engineering problems which are related to exploration. Still others might have to prepare system layouts, schematics, and other detailed drawings. However, no matter the specifics of the job scope, all ocean engineers play key roles in the improvement of ocean and coastal life and work.
Naval Architect
Some who have graduated from a marine engineering course might choose to become naval architects. A naval architect is a person who works with ships and oversees matters including the ship’s design, construction, and maintenance. Naval architects primarily deal with a ship’s general design. They ensure that the ship’s physical form is stable and durable enough for it to be seaworthy.
One of the primary duties of a naval architect is that of deciding the ship’s basic properties. These properties include size, speed, and weight. They do so by studying design specifications and proposals. Naval architects are also to design a ship’s exterior hull, superstructures, and interior layout. When they do so, they must ensure that all designs are in compliance with the safety standards in force.
Most of a naval architect’s working hours are spent in an office. While there, a naval architect designs projects and solves problems related to ships and their design by using specially-designed computer software. However, on certain occasions, naval architects do have to go out to the sea. They do so in order to maintain or test the ships which they have designed.
Marine Technical Superintendent
A marine engineering graduate might choose to pursue a career as a marine technical superintendent. A marine technical superintendent oversees vessel performance and is accountable for these vessels’ respective technical and operational conditions. Some of a marine technical superintendent’s key duties include the implementation and monitoring of compliance measures, the ensuring of vessels’ certification according to international maritime requirements, and the planning and execution of refit and fleet time maintenance programmes.
Marine technical superintendents’ job scopes tend to be broader than those of basic marine engineers. They require much skill in areas such as finance, project management, ship automation, and cybersecurity. Through these skills, marine technical superintendents can provide much expertise when an emergency response is required. By doing so, much damage can be prevented and many lives can be saved.
Most marine engineering graduates will require further study or experience at a lower rank before becoming a marine technical superintendent. However, this additional time spent is undoubtedly worthwhile.
The position of a marine technical superintendent is not only a financially lucrative one; it is a job which allows one to display leadership, technical, and interpersonal skills while adhering to strict ethical standards. Therefore, a qualified marine technical superintendent is almost certainly a well-rounded person in all aspects of working life.
Ranaco Education & Training Institute’s Diploma in Marine Engineering
For all budding marine engineers as well as those seeking related careers such as those mentioned, consider enrolling in Ranaco Education & Training Institute’s Diploma in Marine Engineering programme. Those who complete it will obtain considerable exposure to practical matters surrounding the marine engineering environment.
This diploma programme lasts for two years and six months. Industrial training is part of it as well. Some of the most important topics covered in this course include engineering design, marine electrical practice, marine control and automation, and engineering workshop skills.
By now, you’ve surely seen that marine engineering might be your path to your dream job. If you believe that it is, then join us at Ranaco Education & Training Institute, where you’ll learn so much more than you ever dreamed possible.
