Ship Engineers - 53-5031.00

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

Sample of reported job titles: Assistant Engineer, Barge Engineer, Chief Engineer, Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Harbor Engineer, Port Engineer, Towboat Engineer, Tug Boat Engineer, Tugboat Engineer

Tasks

• Start engines to propel ships and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
• Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
• Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
• Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
• Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
• Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
• Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
• Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
• Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
• Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
• Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
• Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
• Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.
• Supervise the activities of marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
• Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
• Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.
• 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.

Technology Skills

• Data base user interface and query software - Kongsberg Maritime K-LOG Electronic Logbooks
• Document management software - Marine Software Marine Safety Manager
• Facilities management software - Computerized maintenance management system CMMS; Damen DAMOS; Marine Software Marine Planned Maintenance
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel

Tools Used

• Adjustable widemouth pliers - Water pump pliers
• Allen wrench - Allen wrench sets
• Ball peen hammer - Ball peen hammers
• Box end wrenches - Box wrenches
• Calipers - Vernier calipers
• Claw hammer - Bell-faced claw hammers; Plain faced claw hammers
• Cold chisels - Cape chisels; Flat cold chisels; Half round chisels; Round nose chisels (see all 5 examples)
• Combination pliers - Combination jaw pliers
• Combination wrenches
• Commercial water heaters - Feedwater heating equipment
• Condensing units - Condensers
• Cross and straight pein hammer - Cross peen hammers; Straight peen hammers
• Curved nose pliers - Curved needle nosed pliers
• Depth gauges - Digital depth gauges
• Diagonal cut pliers - Diagonal cutting pliers
• Dial indicator or dial gauge - Dial gauges
• Diesel engines - Diesel ship engines
• Electric boilers - Boilers
• Emergency medical services first aid kits - First aid kits
• End cut pliers - Side cutting pliers
• Evaporative coolers - Cooling towers
• Feeler gauges
• Fire suppression system - Fire suppression systems
• Flat hand file - Double cut files; Single cut files
• Flat nose pliers - Duck bill pliers
• Fuel pumps
• Gas generators - Gas powered generators
• Goggles - Safety goggles
• Hacksaw - Adjustable hacksaws; Solid hacksaws
• Hammers - Plastic hammers; Riveting hammers
• Hex keys - Bristol wrenches
• Inspection mirror - Long-handled inspection mirrors
• Jigsaw - Portable jigsaws
• Longnose pliers - Long nose pliers
• Mallets - Carpenter's mallets; Rawhide mallets; Wood mallets
• Micrometers - Digital micrometers
• Multimeters - Digital multimeters
• Nut drivers - Spintite wrenches
• Open end wrenches - Bonney wrenches
• Pipe or tube cutter - Tube cutters
• Plasma cutting machine - Gas cutters; Thermal cutters
• Power chippers - Pneumatic chipping hammers; Rotary impact scalers
• Power drills - Electric drills
• Power flaring tool - Flaring tools
• Power grinders - Portable grinders
• Power sanders - Disk sanders; Portable electric sanders
• Pullers - Gear pullers
• Punches or nail sets or drifts - Center punch sets; Hollow shank gasket punches; Pin punches; Prick punches (see all 6 examples)
• Ratchets - Ratchet handles; Speed handles
• Razor knives - Scraping tools
• Rivet tools - Riveters
• Round nose pliers - Short nose pliers; Wrench pliers
• Rubber mallet - Rubber mallets
• Screwdrivers - Clutch tip screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers; Standard screwdrivers
• Shears - Powered shears
• Sledge hammer - Cross peen sledge hammers; Double faced sledge hammers
• Slip joint pliers
• Sludge or sewage removal equipment - Sewage treatment systems
• Socket attachments and accessories - Socket extensions
• Socket sets - Socket wrench sets
• Sockets - Union nut wrenches
• Stationary separation equipment or parts or screens - Oily water separation systems
• Strain gauges - Bridge gauges
• Strap wrenches
• Sump pumps - Bilge water pumps
• Taps - Tap and die sets
• Tinners snips - Aviation snips; Circle snips; Straight hand snips; Trojan snips (see all 5 examples)
• Torque wrenches
• Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe - Lathes
• Turbine engines - Gas turbine engines
• Water pumps - Ballast pumps; Firefighting pumps
• Welder gloves - Welding gloves
• Welder torch - Brazers; Welders
• Welding masks
• Wire brushes - File brushes
• Wire twister - Safety wire pliers

Knowledge

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• 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.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
• Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
• Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
• Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Interests

• Interest code: RCE
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Work Context

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Contaminants - 86% responded “Every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 91% responded “Every day.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 84% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - 79% responded “Every day.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 88% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Contact With Others - 66% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 80% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 77% responded “Every day.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 64% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - 64% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 75% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - 55% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 50% responded “Very important.”
• Time Pressure - 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Consequence of Error - 19% responded “Fairly serious.”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 45% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - 45% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Electronic Mail - 22% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Physical Proximity - 47% responded “Moderately close (at arm's length).”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 38% responded “Very high responsibility.”
• Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - 53% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 57% responded “Very important.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 66% responded “Every day.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 46% responded “Very important results.”
• Telephone - 37% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 36% responded “Extremely important.”
• Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - 38% responded “More than half the time.”
• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - 23% responded “Never.”
• Spend Time Standing - 49% responded “More than half the time.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 38% responded “Less than half the time.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 30% responded “Very important.”
• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - 33% responded “Extremely important.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 36% responded “High responsibility.”
• Spend Time Walking and Running - 35% responded “Less than half the time.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
50%	Post-secondary certificate
33%	High school diploma or equivalent
16%	Some college, no degree

Work Styles

• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $35.15 hourly, $73,110 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 10,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 1,300