MNTB - Careers At Sea

Ships Officers generally work in two departments - Deck and Engineering and this begins when you enrol as an officer trainee! The training for both disciplines uses a mixture of academic work which is combined with practical training both at college and at sea.

At any time you may wish to move to a job ashore, your experience as a ship's officer will stand you in good stead. Technical and managerial skills learned at sea are readily transferable and can be developed by further training.

• Navigation (Deck)
  
  

  As a navigation officer (usually called a deck officer), you'll be a vital member of the ship's management team, and with the prospect of sophisticated and expensive vessels, valuable cargo or passengers in your charge, it's a big responsibility.

  While on duty (called a 'watch'), it will be down to you to make decisions on steering and maneuvering the ship, controlling navigation and communications. Using the latest technological systems, you'll have control at your fingertips. In port you'll be responsible for cargo handling and ship stability. As a senior deck officer, you'll be a leading member of a small team of skilled, professional seafarers, including junior officer and ratings. You'll direct and supervise the work of your team - maintaining the ship and its equipment at optimum efficiency. Your ultimate goal on board would to become the Master (Captain).

  What qualities & skills will you need?
  You'll need to be decisive, calm and able to inspire confidence in others. You'll be a good team member with mathematical ability, an interest in technology, and good written and verbal communication skills. Beyond that, confidence, enthusiasm and self-reliance are essential attributes.

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• Engineering & Electro-Technical
  
  

  Engineering	Electro-Technical
  As an engineer officer, you'll operate and maintain all the mechanical and electrical equipment throughout the ship. You'll be responsible for power generation and distribution systems and for other equipment such as lifts, refrigeration plant and pumping and ventilation systems. Via a bank of high-tech instrumentation, you'll monitor mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and control equipment, and have charge of sophisticated engine management systems. You'll overhaul and maintain equipment throughout the ship, where your engineering problem-solving skills will be your greatest asset. At sea, if equipment goes wrong you can't just pull in to the nearest garage! It will be up to you to diagnose the fault, get the equipment dismantled, repaired and reassembled and back into operation. As a senior engineer officer, you'll lead a team of professional engineering personnel and supervise their work at sea and in port. You can aim for the top position in the engineering department - the Chief Engineer.	As Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) you'll ensure that the wide range of electronic and electrical equipment onboard is maintained. This role will ensure your problem solving skills will be utilised on equipment as diverse as the main electric generation plant to electronic communication systems. The complexity and variety of vessels and electrical/electronic equipment onboard will ensure a technical challenge on a regular basis. As well as your maintenance skills, this role will require you to monitor all electrical equipment onboard to maximise the operational safety and efficiency of the vessel. The ETO role is an emerging one - on some ships it is a significant role at junior and senior officer levels, on other ships it is not such a big requirement, and may be integrated within engineer officers' roles. It depends on the shipping company and the type of ship.
  What qualities & skills will you need?	What qualities & skills will you need?
  You'll need to be practical, resourceful and have a real interest in mechanical and electrical systems, with good mathematical ability. Like deck officers, you'll be decisive, calm and able to inspire confidence in others. Good written and verbal communication skills are required. Beyond this you'll need to be prepared to learn about new technology and adapt your skills to its use.	You will have an interest in electrical and electronic control and power systems. Practical trouble shooting skills will be to the fore, with good team working skills.

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