Have you ever looked at a ship or oil rig or read a news story and wondered who repairs and services all of them? This article focuses on marine engineering.
For every maritime vessel, whether at sea or in dock, there are seafaring and land-based engineers, technicians and support staff keeping the vessels and equipment working 24/7. They may be invisible, but they are vital to keeping shipping and associated industries moving.
They will have different job titles depending on the aspect of engineering they have specialised in and also what their work is focusing on.

Seafaring and Land-based Engineers, Technicians and Support Staff

Who works in Marine Field Engineering

One way to gain an understanding of who works supporting maritime vessels is to meet some of them.
Here are some of our members sharing their experience of a maritime life.

Arturo González, Ballast Water Treatment Service Engineer

Arturo González is a Ballast water Treatment Service Engineer at Alfa Laval. He is from Panama and is now based in Spain. He studied Mechanical Engineering at The Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá.
Arturo shares his experience here:
Life as a Service Engineer at Alfa Laval

Olufemi O Makinde, Lead Marine Coating Supervisor

From Nigeria, Olufemi O Makinde graduated in Chemical Engineering and began his career as a Senior HSE (Health and Safety) Officer. He then became a coating Inspector and has worked both on and offshore for Nigerdock Nigeria. He is currently working in Togo as the Lead Marine Coating Supervisor for Painting Corrosion Service, PCS.
Olufemi shares his experience here:
Olufemi O Makinde Marine Coating Inspector in West Africa

Sylvester Sylvester Onyekachi, Electro-Technical Officer

Sylvester Sylvester Onyekachi studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering and started his engineering career at 18 working for Coca‑Cola HBC in Kaduna Nigeria. This was his first practical experience and encouraged him to work as an intern each holiday whilst at university. Sylvester is now an Electro-Technical Officer on a Self-propelled Jack-up vessel and works in the Ebok oilfield in Nigeria.
Sylvester shares his experience here:
Life as an Electro-Technical Officer on a Self-propelled Jack-up vessel

Simon Fernandez de la Mata

Simon Fernandez de la Mata studied Marine Engineering and is now a Field Service manager for Alfa Laval and is based in Galicia in Spain. He has worked at sea as an engineer and also has experience with nuclear power stations.
Simon shares his experience here:
Simon Fernandez de la Mata, Marine Field Service Manager in Spain

Ifunanya Kanu, Marine Engineer

Ifunanya Kanu is a Marine Engineer based in Nigeria. She studied Marine Engineering at the University of Cebu in the Philippines after winning a scholarship.
Ifunanya shares her experience here:
Starting a career as a Marine Engineer

Frederick AryeeQuaye Aryee, Marine Electronics Technical Service Engineer and Radio Surveyor

Frederick AryeeQuaye Aryee is a Marine Electronics Technical Service Engineer and Radio Surveyor for the International Maritime Group based out of the UAE.
He shares his experience here:
Marine Electronics Offshore Technical Service Engineer

Wilson Gogo, Marine Engineer

Wilson Gogo is a Marine Engineer working as Engine Cadet for Mercy Ships. He graduated in Marine and Power Plant Engineering.
Wilson shares his experience here:
Wilson Gogo, Marine Engineer

Michiel Lamens, International Field Service Specialist

Michiel Lamens is an International Field Service Specialist based in Amsterdam in The Netherlands. He works for KenzFigee Group. KenzFigee is a world leader in the design and production, of innovative lifting solutions for the marine, offshore and wind energy industries.
Michiel shares his experience here:
Field Service Specialist Michiel Lamens keeping offshore cranes working all over the world

Michelle Oduro-Amoateng Engine Cadet onboard the Navigator of the Seas.

The Field Engineer met Michelle Oduro-Amoateng from Ghana when she was working as a Marine Engineer for Mercy Ships as part of a post about women in engineering. She is now working for Royal Caribbean International and also is a Mentee for Women Offshore

Conclusion

Sea transportation is crucial to the global economy. Engineers are needed to maintain ships both at sea and in dock.
The Marine Engineers who maintain boats and ships are vital for ensuring that these ships, their passengers, and cargo are able to travel safely, and with the minimum of pollution.

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