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Job Definition
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Knowledge
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Skills
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Tasks
Fabricate engine replacement parts such as valves, stay rods, and bolts, using metalworking machinery.
Install engine controls, propeller shafts, and propellers.
Maintain and repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches and other mechanical and electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance and repair duties.
Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewerage systems.
Monitor and test operations of engines and other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
Monitor engine, machinery, and equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
Perform general marine vessel maintenance and repair work such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, and maintaining decks.
Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
Supervise the activities of marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
Monitor the availability, use, and condition of lifesaving equipment and pollution preventatives, in order to ensure that international regulations are followed.
Operate and maintain off-loading liquid pumps and valves.
Order and receive engine room's stores such as oil and spare parts; maintain inventories and record usage of supplies.
Perform and participate in emergency drills as required.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $59,120.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $37,750.00 and $86,250.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 170 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 150 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about -2 openings due to growth and about 8 replacement openings for approximately 6 total annual openings. This occupation experienced significant decline.

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair outboard and inboard engines; test, maintain, and repair steering devices and electrical systems; repair metal, wood, and fiberglass hulls and vessel components; fabricate and maintain sails; and repair and balance propellers and drive shafts.
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