About 100 years ago, the field of Marine Engineering was not known to people. It developed and gained in popularity later, and is today at par with any other field of engineering.
Marine Engineering is derived from the word Marine or water. It is the field of study that focuses on the equipment and vessels that are used at sea and on board sea vessels.
In simple words, this branch of engineering is dedicated to the development, design, production, and maintenance of sea vessels like boats and ships. It also includes overseeing the operation of mechanical equipment that is used at harbor installations, docks and all vessels used at sea.
All the structures, equipment and vessels used in and around water, such as aircraft carriers, sailboats, tankers, submarines, ships and so on are designed, built, and maintained by marine engineers. Marine Engineering also includes the maintenance of the ship’s functions encompassing electrical, propulsion, steering systems, refrigeration, cargo handling, ventilation, and so on.
This course teaches the students how to build oil platforms, harbors, and cruise ships, by introducing them to related technology and techniques. It is also referred to as “nautical architecture and science.” The ship’s machinery, right from its construction stage to its maintenance stage is looked into by marine engineers.
Marine Engineering is not the same as Naval Architecture. Both the terms have a correlation, but the difference is that Naval Architecture incorporates ship-building, operation of marine vessels and the design process.
Marine Engineering has acquired great importance as a field of study. A major chunk of the world’ commerce is dependent on ships for transportation and cargo. The seas of the world are dotted with huge and complex oil and cargo ships. The ports of most countries are a hub of activity. For smooth functioning of the ships and delivery of shipment they have to be well maintained.
Marine Engineering, therefore, is not just limited to the safety of the crew, passengers and ships but also deals with the incorporation and demonstration of new technology and developments. It impacts a country’s economy as it is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of oil, and cargo. Delays would prove detrimental and cause losses to any country. Ships are a vital source of transportation; with people depending on them, therefore, they have to be well maintained and should run smoothly.
In this blog apart from introducing Marine Engineering to you, we shall also discuss its scope. We will enumerate the roles, responsibilities and salaries of Deck officers and Marine Engineers. You will be better equipped at the end of the blog to decide on Marine Engineering as a career option. You can also choose between the roles of a Deck officer and Marine Engineer, by evaluating them based on the information provided here, regarding their suitability for you.
The objective of a Marine Engineering course is to open up a plethora of job opportunities. This is a course that is job-oriented.
The shipping industry offers a rewarding career. It is an important sector contributing significantly to a country’s growth and stable economy.
A B.E /B. Tech program in Marine Engineering adds more value and accelerates your career than a diploma course that is also available in most colleges.
The responsibility of a Merchant Navy Deck officer includes looking after the communications, crew, cargo, and navigation on board. The smooth running of the ship is in their hands. They also handle social events onboard and look after the welfare of the passengers on the ships.
The level and role of a Deck officer are determined by his experience. The four levels are Master or Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer and Third Officer.
Master (Captain) –
As the name implies he is in charge of the whole ship. He is responsible for its operations and safety, the equipment on board and its passengers, crew and cargo. Maintenance of the ships’ records, all technical and legal matters are handled by the Captain.
Chief Officer –
He is the second in command and assists the Captain in overseeing the maintenance and operations of the deck. He is also responsible for cargo handling and storage. He is in charge of supervising other officers and supervising them and managing them too.
Second Officer –
He is responsible for using radar, computer systems, and navigation. The monitoring of the vessel’s position, direction, speed, weather reports are also part of his responsibilities. He also executes watch duties at the port and the sea.
Third Officer –
This is the starting rung of the career ladder. In this first posting after the initial training, the Third Officer would look into the safety of the ship, its’ safety equipment including lifeboats. Carrying out watch duties and assisting the Second Officer is a part of the job role.
A fifth officer level is sometimes available in huge passenger liners and cargo ships.
Deck officers attract different salaries based on their experience and level.
A Deck Cadet can earn approximately Rs.20, 000 – Rs.30, 000 per month if he works in Indian ships and approximately Rs.50, 000 – Rs.60, 000 in foreign ships. A Deck Officer can earn up to Rs. 1, 50,000 per month.
The role of a marine engineer also referred to as a ship engineer is to research, develop and construct new marine vessels and their components. A Marine Engineer innovates, creates blueprints, designs propulsion systems, and after that, tests prototypes. He is also in charge of the supervision of construction activities of big ships.
A Marine Engineer looks into the construction of prototypes, then tests it and based on the testing introduces changes if needed.
The choice of working on the types of vessels rests with the Marine Engineers. They can choose from among – sailboats, submarines, passenger boats, cruise ships, aircraft carriers, and military battleships. They can also work on smaller vessels like sailboats, fishing boats, speedboats, and others.
They are also responsible for innovation and can develop new models and designs, can improve the types of systems onboard, introduce new fuel systems, propulsion devices, motors, steering systems, and other vital equipment
Computer-aided drafting programs that create simulated efficiency tests and design systems are used by Marine Engineers for big ocean liners and cruise ships.
The onboard systems are also designed by the Marine Engineers. The Mechanical and Electrical systems, propulsion systems that include diesel engine, gas turbine and nuclear reactor and the steering and control systems are also part of their job roles and responsibilities.
The average salary in India for a Marine Engineer ranges from INR 64000 TO 96000 per month. This is dependent on the level and knowledge and attracts proportionate salaries accordingly. The Five levels from bottom to top along with the salaries are as below:
An Engineering cadet or Fifth Engineer: earns Rs 35 to 75 thousand INR per month;
Fourth Engineer: earns Rs 1.5 to 2.25 lacs INR
Third Engineer: earns Rs 2.75- 3.5 lacs INR
Second Engineer: earns Rs 4 to 5 lacs INR
Chief Engineer: earns Rs 5 lacs and above INR per month
As a general rule and practice salaries are paid when the seafarers are at work and sailing. If they are at home they are not paid but generally, the average pay per month comes to the same as mentioned above.
While both the job roles are a part of the Merchant Navy, and similar in many respects. The key differentiators are as follows:
The Salary Structure –
Both the departments have a similar salary structure. The salaries are dependent on the ranks and experience. The corresponding ranks in both departments have the same salary, for example, the Chief Engineer and Master have the same salaries with slight differences sometimes.
Job Profile
The job profile and responsibilities are different with different skill sets as well.
It is very important that there should be complete coordination and harmony between the two departments and individuals to ensure smooth functioning and safety.
The Master is the highest authority in terms of decision-making.
Job Prospects:
Are high in senior positions for both the departments and much in demand.
Shore jobs are available for both.
Both the Deck side and the Marine Engineering side are two sides of the same coin and exist together. It is ultimately the choice of the individual on what he/she finds more appealing. The skill sets they have and inclination to pursue either the technical engineering field or the decking field.
Marine Engineers have to spend 4 years to complete their B.Tech degree, then follows it up with an 8 months of training that is shore based, then again some more time as engine cadets.
The Deck side includes a one year after the 12th standard for shore training and nearly 18, 21 and 27 months for shore based training.
The Deck field offers the chance of becoming Captain that comes along with power and authority and opens up the possibility of taking complete control of the ship, whereas the Engineering field can give you the option of rising up to a Chief Engineer’s position.
The pay is almost the same but sometimes the Master gets more than the Chief Engineer.
The choice of which role /job is better is a difficult one and does not have any generalized answers. It is a purely subjective decision depending on what appeals to you. The skills you have and if power and position are important or only salaries that may not be too high.
You as an individual have to weigh the pros and cons without any biases to decide which career to opt for. Taking feedback and talking to people who are already on the job in the various roles will go a long way in helping you make a decision.
A career in Marine Engineering requires great physical and mental resilience. Long hours at sea take a toll on the body and mind; hence the candidate has to be healthy in mind and body. He/she must have a passion to pursue this course.
If you feel the stirring of love for the sea and have always dreamt of sailing, have a good health record and are passionate about the field of Marine Engineering, allow us to guide you to the best in the educational field offering this course – MIT ADT – University!
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