Marine Engineer

A Marine Engineer is a hands-on member of the engine department. You run and maintain the main engines, generators, watermakers, sewage plant, air conditioning and fuel systems. On a 50m yacht you might be one of two engineers. On a 100m yacht you sit inside a team of four or five, covering a set of systems and standing watches in the engine control room. The title often goes to engineers who have come across from commercial shipping or shoreside marine trades.

Most of the work is planned maintenance. You follow the yacht's maintenance software, change filters and impellers, take oil samples, service pumps and log running hours. When something fails, you find out why and fix it, often with guests on board and no shipyard nearby. You also handle bunkering, keep the bilges clean and dry, manage spares and write up reports so the Chief Engineer can plan the budget and the next yard period.

Yacht engineering differs from commercial work in one way above all: the guest never notices you if you do the job well. Air conditioning must hold 21 degrees, the hot water must never run cold and the tenders must start first time. You will help the deck crew with tender launches, water toys and mooring stations, and you will work long days in season. In return the pay is strong and the hands-on experience builds quickly towards a higher ticket.